Vikki Slade MP backs GP guarantee on all new developments

Vikki Slade, the Liberal Democrat MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole, backs a call for all housing developments to be matched with new or expanded GP facilities as part of a “GP Guarantee.”

Her campaign follows Lib Dem research showing that the average GP surgery in Dorset has taken on patients from 696 additional homes since 2015—a 17.8 per cent increase.

Vikki Slade, Liberal Democrat MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole, is launching a campaign to guarantee GP investment on new developments. It comes as Lib Dem analysis shows that 1,300 surgeries have closed in a decade (between 2015 and 2025) across the UK. (Image: Vikki Slade)

Ms Slade said: "I have been fortunate to spend time in GP surgeries in my constituency of Mid Dorset and North Poole and have seen firsthand the exceptional work GPs are doing, under incredible pressure.

"It is clear however, that despite their best efforts, demand is rising to unsustainable levels as more houses are being built."

She described constituents’ experiences of long delays and limited access to care.

Ms Slade said: "Constituents in Merley, Bearwood and Wimborne have written to me about calling for an urgent appointment and finding themselves 20th or 30th in a queue, with only 10 callers processed in an hour of waiting.

"One constituent called on behalf of her husband and was told he would be unable to see a nurse or doctor for 10 days for a wound that needed attention.

"This is causing serious concerns in our communities."

The Liberal Democrats have proposed that developers be required not only to fund new facilities but also to guarantee the GP surgery contract—or the cost of salaried GPs—while new residents are still moving in.

Ms Slade said: "We are fortunate to have some excellent GPs in Mid Dorset and North Poole, but they can’t just keep accepting new patients.

"One surgery told me they are seriously considering closing their books to all new patients so they can maintain a good service to their existing community."

Ms Slade said: "Without urgent change we will see more GPs leave, leading to even longer waiting times that could cause real harm to patients."

She also criticised the lack of progress in delivering health infrastructure alongside housing.

Ms Slade said: "In communities across the country and across Dorset, when new housing is built, GPs are promised but not delivered—this must end.

"That’s why I’m launching a campaign to get our local NHS back on track, by building and delivering the services our communities require and ensuring new homes always go hand in hand with more GPs."

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