Lib Dem Parliamentary Candidate for S W Herts, Christopher Townsend, expresses concern over future Healthcare Provision in Tring.

Christopher Townsend, the Liberal Democrat candidate for South West Hertfordshire has called for greater clarity on the funding arrangements for the New Surgery in Tring.

Since the retirement of the GP from this single-doctor practice over a year ago NHS England, which issues the contracts to GP practices, providing services to patients under a 12-month "caretaker contract" with Herts Urgent Care. Now the twelve months are up - with no clear arrangements yet in place.

The Herts Valleys Clinical Commissioning Group, commissions (plans, designs and buys) health services on behalf of people who live in Hertfordshire's council districts of Dacorum, Hertsmere, St Albans, Three Rivers and Watford. Earlier this year Tring Town Council asked them a series of detailed questions about the future of the surgery, but the answers they received did not provide a clear timetable for when a long term solution would be in place.

Christopher Townsend said:

"I am disappointed that the Clinical Commissioning Group has been unable to answer a simple question: just how much extra is the temporary contract costing us?

"Getting proper plans in place is important, particularly as Tring is set to grow with the new LA5 housing development."