Wera Hobhouse, MP for Bath, has initiated a campaign advocating for the development of a new NHS health centre in Twerton, designed to operate twelve hours a day, six days a week. This centre aims to alleviate pressure on local health services, reduce lengthy GP wait times, and provide comprehensive, high-quality care to the Twerton community.
The envisioned facility will bring together doctors, pharmacists, nurses, occupational therapists, and outpatient rehabilitation services under one roof. Hobhouse emphasizes the urgency of this project, stating, “We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to secure a new neighbourhood health centre for our community. With the NHS encouraging bids for new health centres nationally, we must seize this opportunity to repair the damage of Conservative neglect.”
Highlighting the challenges faced by residents, Hobhouse notes, “Twerton did not have a fair deal on the NHS under the last government, and we face a real crisis in access to basic services—not least GPs. Every week I meet more people who have to wait weeks to have alarming symptoms investigated. The truth is, our GPs and NHS staff across Bath have been pushed to breaking point.”
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The proposed centre will enhance support for healthcare professionals, improve access to general practice, and introduce new community services, effectively addressing the “8am scramble” to secure appointments.
Statistics reveal that in Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon, and Wiltshire, GP appointments with wait times exceeding 28 days have surged by 89% over the past five years—from 169,675 to 321,299 appointments since January of this year. Twerton is among the most deprived areas in Bath, with 64.6% of households experiencing some form of deprivation, compared to 51.6% nationally.
Health outcomes in Twerton are also concerning. Only 43% of residents report being in “very good health,” below the national average of 48.5%. Moreover, nearly one in four residents (24.5%) live with a disability, significantly higher than the 17.3% seen in England overall.
Local Liberal Democrat councillors Tim Ball and Sarah Moore expressed strong support for the initiative, stating, “We believe these plans will bring real benefits to the communities of Twerton and Whiteway, who often face challenges accessing the main services.”
Residents are encouraged to support the campaign by signing the petition online.