Sittingbourne people are being urged to speak out as final plans are made for improved healthcare services in Swale.

Eastern and Coastal Kent Primary Care Trust health chiefs are staying tight-lipped about the site of the proposed first GP-led health centre, but have not denied that it could be in Sittingbourne.

A public meeting to canvass views will take place at the Swallows Leisure Centre, Central Avenue, Sittingbourne, from 1pm-5pm, on Wednesday, September 3.

The trust is increasing access to primary care, including GPs, practice nurses, district nurses and a range of other healthcare professionals by providing new services under a Government scheme. They claim this will be up and running by April next year.

Access

The centre will be GP-led and increase access to GPs by opening from 8am-8pm.

Ann Sutton, Eastern and Coastal Kent NHS Trust chief executive, said: “Patients are telling us they want healthcare that is more convenient to them, so primary care services need to adapt to respond to this need.

“GPs will continue to play an important role in clinically leading and delivering patient care.

“One of the benefits is that patients who are already with a GP practice can also use the new facilities. Patients not registered with a GP will also be able to use them. The new health centres will complement and increase our existing provision, not replace it.

“General practice will continue to flourish throughout the PCT.”