Doctors have launched an ambitious fundraising campaign to help them deliver improved health care in Sidmouth.

They are pushing ahead with a number of major developments designed to “future-proof” primary care services in the town and the wider Sid Valley.
The town’s Beacon Medical Centre in Sedemuda Road is to be extended after planners gave the scheme the go-ahead in January. Also, the ageing town centre Blackmore Health Centre, which is considered no longer fit for purpose, is to be relocated within Sidmouth Victoria Hospital.
Doctors have targeted a sum of £98,000 to take the project forward and are hoping the community will support them.

Explaining the developments this week, Dr Joe Stych, a GP partner in the Sid Valley Practice, said: “We are pleased to report that we have been successful in obtaining planning permission for an extension to the Beacon Medical Centre in Sidmouth. Improvements planned for Sidmouth include relocating the centre of the town branch surgery into Sidmouth Victoria Hospital and extending the Beacon Medical Centre.
“The centre of town hub will see primary and secondary care working more closely together to improve care in the valley. The Beacon extension will help GPs continue to deliver care and future proof primary care services and allow us to house more services.
“The NHS is investing in pharmacists, physiotherapists and mental health support workers. We want to house these services in Sidmouth to improve care options to patients. We will also be able to expand surgical services so people can be treated more closely to home.
“There will be room for Exeter Medical School trainees and GPs in training, which will help safeguard our future workforce.”
Dr Stych added: “The practice is actively trying to confirm funding for the next phase of the project to allow things to move forwards.”
He said they were working with NHS England and the clinical care commissioning group to try and deliver the project.
“It has been a difficult time with Covid and financial planning. In the past we have received generous donations from patients which has allowed the practice to buy equipment for the benefit of patients. If we can raise any additional funds locally this would all help.”
Dr Stych said: “The £98,000 is to get the project through a full business case to the point of spades in the ground.”

If you would like to help support the project, you can contact practice manager Andy Hosking or email sidvalleyenquiries@nhs.net