Dr Neil Hudson, Member of Parliament for Epping Forest, has reaffirmed his commitment to securing a dedicated GP surgery for residents of Chigwell, raising the issue directly with Health Ministers during Health and Social Care questions in the House of Commons.
Despite a growing population of approximately 12,500 people, Chigwell remains the only parish in the Epping Forest constituency without its own GP surgery. Residents are currently required to travel to neighbouring areas to access primary care, placing additional strain on surrounding practices that are already under significant pressure.
During his intervention, Dr Hudson highlighted the urgent need for improved access to local healthcare services, particularly in light of Government housing targets across the region. He warned that increased housing targets are not being adequately matched with the necessary health infrastructure, risking further overstretch of primary care services both in Epping Forest and across Essex and Northeast London.
Dr Hudson has raised concerns that without appropriate planning and investment, residents will continue to face difficulties accessing timely GP appointments, undermining both preventative care and overall community wellbeing.
Answering Dr Hudson’s question, the Primary Care Minister agreed to meet with Dr Hudson to take this matter forward.
This latest action builds on Dr Hudson’s sustained campaign on the issue. He has previously written directly to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care and tabled Written Parliamentary Questions calling for improved access to GP services and fairer provision of primary care infrastructure for growing communities such as Chigwell.
In the Chamber, Dr Neil Hudson said:
“My constituency neighbour, the Health Secretary, will be aware that Chigwell Parish has no GP surgery of its own, requiring many of my constituents to travel into his constituency to access primary care.
“Given the Government’s top-down housing targets, what assurances can the Health Secretary provide that any new developments in Epping Forest will be accompanied by the delivery of adequate primary care infrastructure, rather than placing further pressure on already overstretched services?
“And will the Government support the long-standing call, championed by me, Conservative councillors and Chigwell Parish Council, for the provision of a GP surgery within Chigwell Parish?”
Speaking afterwards, Dr Hudson said:
“It is simply unacceptable that a parish the size of Chigwell does not have its own GP surgery. As the population continues to grow, residents deserve access to high-quality, local primary care without having to travel further afield.
“I will continue to press the Government to ensure Chigwell gets the GP provision it urgently needs. I am pleased that, following my intervention in the Commons, to have secured a meeting with the Health Minister to further this cause.”
