WILTSHIRE Clinical Commissioning Group remain committed to increasing primary care in Trowbridge and hope the recently announced merger of three doctor’s surgeries is the step in the right direction.

The assertion was made at last week’s Trowbridge Area Board meeting which saw the CCG outline their position in the future of healthcare in the town including the creation of the Trowbridge health centre.

Simon Truelove, chief finance director at the CCG said: “I think it is fair to say that the level of healthcare we are trying to provide is struggling to keep up with the demand out there, particularly in Wiltshire.

“The vision from the CCG, which is a clinician led vision, is to see an increase in primary care.”

Mr Truelove outlined a number of key priorities of the CCG during the meeting which included the recommissioning of services at the community hospital, creating more primary care capacity space and a hub where patients can access a whole range of integrated services.

A way of moving these plans forward is the merge of Adcroft, Bradford Road and Widbrook doctor's surgeries which is set to benefit more than 25,000 patients.

However, Mr Truelove spoke honestly at the area board telling the public that funding the project would be difficult.

He added: “The CCG doesn’t have any funding or the capital so we have to get the support of NHS England. The work we are doing with the council is looking at opportunities to bring other organisations to the table in seeing whether we can establish the foundations to create a primary care hub here in Trowbridge.

“If we work together, we can create a much greater capacity which will be of the benefit to the town.

“Our first priority is primary care and linking it with existing services in the hospital. The CCG is really committed in providing that type of service.”

Wiltshire Council's corporate director Maggie Rae also spoke at the meeting and hopes the public have confidence in the development.

She added: “We have got to get together to provide 21st century services and I think working with the CCG has been very clear about the fact we have no money but we remain committed to work together to find the resources.”

It is anticipated that building work should take 54 weeks to complete and would see the health centre open its doors in June next year.