Dr Neil Hudson, Member of Parliament for Epping Forest, has reaffirmed his ongoing campaign to secure a dedicated GP surgery for residents of Chigwell following a constructive meeting this week with Health Minister Stephen Kinnock and senior staff members of the new Essex ICB.
Chigwell remains the only parish in the Epping Forest constituency without its own GP practice, despite a population of around 16,000 across Chigwell Village, Chigwell Row and Grange Hill. Residents must currently register with surgeries in neighbouring areas such as Buckhurst Hill, Loughton or in the London Borough of Redbridge, placing additional pressure on practices that are already under significant strain.
During the meeting, Dr Hudson outlined the longstanding challenges faced by Chigwell residents, including the difficulties that arise when a patient’s GP practice falls under North East London while their home address sits within Essex. This mismatch frequently leads to gaps in continuity of care and disputes over service provision. The problem is particularly acute for safeguarding, EHCPs, phlebotomy, home visiting and other community services, where West Essex‑commissioned providers do not cross the ICB boundary.
Dr Hudson also highlighted the impact of recent and upcoming housing developments in the parish, warning that without appropriate primary care infrastructure, list sizes at neighbouring practices will continue to grow and access to timely appointments will deteriorate further.
He has consistently raised this issue in Parliament orally in the Chamber, writing directly to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Wes Streeting MP, and tabling Written Parliamentary Questions calling for improved access to GP services and fairer provision of primary care infrastructure for growing communities such as Chigwell.
Speaking after the meeting, Dr Hudson said:
“It is simply unacceptable that a parish the size of Chigwell still does not have its own GP surgery. I am grateful to Minister Kinnock and his team for the constructive discussion this week and for engaging seriously with the challenges our residents face.”
“Chigwell’s unique cross‑border issues mean too many constituents fall between systems, with services declined or delayed because providers will not cross administrative boundaries. A dedicated GP surgery within the parish is essential to ensure continuity of care and to relieve pressure on neighbouring practices.”
“I will continue working closely with my local Conservative councillor colleagues, Chigwell Parish Council, and the new Essex ICB to secure the primary care provision our community urgently needs.”
