Healthcare Facilities: Royston

Opened the debate

Oliver Heald raised concerns about the healthcare facilities in Royston, a town with nearly 17,500 residents and an expanding catchment area covering up to 24,000 more from surrounding villages. The town's growth has led to recognition as an important hub for retail, industry, and innovation, including Johnson Matthey headquarters and Melbourn Science Park. He emphasised the need for a state-of-the-art health centre and community diagnostic centre in Royston due to current facilities' limitations and potential future pressures from population growth. The merger of two GP practices has provided an opportunity to modernise services but requires support from the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Integrated Care Board (ICB) and Addenbrooke’s Hospital, which are key stakeholders.

Government Response

Minister Neil O'Brien congratulated Oliver Heald for advocating healthcare services in Royston. The Government acknowledged the importance of suitable premises for health facilities in growing areas like Royston and announced plans to better consider primary care infrastructure, updating guidance for local planning authorities to engage with ICBs on large development sites. Cambridgeshire and Peterborough ICB received £77 million in operational capital funding in 2022-23, part of a total £205 million during the spending review period. The ICB is reviewing estates and healthcare provision to stabilise primary care locally and is consulting with stakeholders including NHS Property Services on potential healthcare centre options. It will begin a six-week listening and engagement exercise soon. Community diagnostic centres are being funded for areas with unmet needs, aiming to tackle health inequalities. Heald's concerns about the Priors Field surgery closure were addressed, with interim services secured by Malling Health from 1 April.