Mid Bedfordshire MP Blake Stephenson has shared his delight after a GP surgery in Wixams was finally given the go-ahead thanks to new NHS funding.
The funding was confirmed at the inaugural meeting of Central East Integrated Care Board (ICB) and construction is expected to begin next year, with an opening planned for 2029.
Conservative MP Blake has been campaigning relentlessly for the GP surgery since his election in July 2024, and has thanked the hard work of local residents and local councillors in getting this over the line.
He said: “I am absolutely delighted that the new GP surgery in Wixams has finally been given the go-ahead today.
“So much work has gone into this by so many local people and for many, many years and I must thank local councillors Graeme Coombes, Marc Frost and Andrea Spice, as well as Bedford Mayor Tom Wootton for their support and hard work to get this across the line.
“Thank you also to the new Integrated Care Board Chair and CEO for working with me so constructively since their appointments, and for taking on board just how important it is to Wixams and surrounding communities to deliver this surgery.
“The fact it has been announced at the first meeting of the new ICB shows just how seriously they are taking this.
“I have lost count of the number of times I've mentioned this in Parliament to make sure Government Ministers and decision-makers were listening to us here in Mid Beds, and I'm so pleased we have now achieved a good decision and a plan to deliver the long-promised medical centre in the coming few years.
“I'm looking forward to working with local residents, developers Urban&Civic, and other stakeholders as the project progresses to the next stage. I am committed to doing everything I can to ensure this GP surgery gets delivered, as I said I would during the 2024 General Election campaign, and the work does not stop today.”
