I REFER to the recent reports in the Mercury regarding the proposal to build a new surgery in Langford to serve the 80 square mile area covered by the Wrington Vale Medical Practice which would replace the existing surgeries in Wrington and Churchill.

I REFER to the recent reports in the Mercury regarding the proposal to build a new surgery in Langford to serve the 80 square mile area covered by the Wrington Vale Medical Practice which would replace the existing surgeries in Wrington and Churchill.

These reports have concentrated on the adverse specious comments made by a loquacious minority who is attempting to hinder or prevent this far sighted and exciting development which would provide an up-to-date surgery with greatly enhanced facilities in a central position to serve the whole community.

As only about five per cent of the patients walk to the existing surgeries in Churchill and Wrington, the change in the location would have little effect on the majority who drive and it is difficult to envisage that it would have any significant effect on the pharmacy or other shops in Wrington as is suggested. There are schemes providing volunteer drivers in the villages to assist those without access to private transport.

I understand that if this development does not take place the likely outcome would be the demise of the Wrington Vale Medical Practice because the existing surgeries would be deemed unfit for purpose. This would result in patients having to travel much further afield.

I am aware that many patients in the practice wholeheartedly support this scheme and feel that these alternative views should be reported.

JOHN POCKETT

Court Drive

Sandford