Thousands of pounds lay waiting to be spent on improving doctor’s surgeries in Worcester Park.

As part of the Hamptons Housing development, the Primary Care Trust (PCT) was given £328,000 to develop additional capacity in GP practices.

There has already been £104,000 committed to a GP practice in North Cheam, however, Councillors are concerned that this leaves £224,000 to be spent by 2014.

The PCT have found that there are a range of practices local to the Hamptons which are open for patients to register.

Because there have been no queries relating to GP practices in the last 12 months it is taken as a positive indicator that services are accessible to patients in the area.

However, Councillor Mary Burstow, the chair of Health and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee is concerned that some surgeries are struggling under the strain.

Patients may have to wait up to 20 minutes to make an appointment and arranging an advanced appointment can be difficult.

Christine Blandford, Practice Manager, Manor Drive Medical Centre said patients can register as surgeries are no longer allowed to have “closed” or “up to capacity” lists.

She said: “We definitely do have problems with capacity and the building needs work to cope with this.

“The reception area has got to be extended and additional rooms have got to be refurbished for clinicians."

A spokeswoman for NHS Sutton and Merton said the PCT was working on proposals for how the money should be spent and they would keep the local authority partners informed of any spending in advance.

She said: “In addition to this funding the PCT has continued to invest in other primary care facilities in West Sutton, Robin Hood Lane practice that opened in 2007 benefits from additional services such as musculo-skeletal services and breast cancer screening services.

“Additionally, to support access for older people to services the PCT has also relocated an older people’s assessment and rehabilitation service to Cheam Priory Day Centre.

“We will continue to work closely with GP practices to ensure the needs of patients in the West Sutton area are met.”

Councillor Mary Burstow is keen to hear from those who use doctor’s surgeries in Worcester Park, email her at maryburstow@btinternet.com.

Or contact NHS Sutton and Merton PALS team on 0800 085 3182 or email PALS@smpct.nhs.uk to discuss your experiences.