A major spike in new registrations has seen patient numbers soar
The doctor’s surgery at Cranbrook has put in a plan for temporary units to expand its footprint amid increasing patient numbers.(Image: Google Maps)
A spike in patients in Devon’s newest town has prompted its doctor’s surgery to launch a bid to expand its premises.
Cranbrook surgery, which occupies part of the Younghayes Centre, wants to put some temporary space in its car park.
The surgery said “sustained patient list growth” meant new registrations had increased by 11.8 per cent between April 2024 and 2025, followed by another 8 per cent hike between last year and this year, and now it wants to put three temporary modular units on its site.
“This significant expansion in the patient population has placed considerable pressure on the existing accommodation, which is no longer sufficient to support the volume and range of services required,” a statement by the surgery in a planning statement said.
“As a result, the practice is increasingly constrained by a lack of consulting and treatment rooms, limiting its ability to meet patient needs and necessitating restrictions on service provision.
“The temporary accommodation will provide essential additional clinical space, enabling the practice to maintain safe, accessible, and effective primary care services while responding to the growing healthcare needs of the community.”
The surgery said it did have a “clear, long-term vision” for the development of a purpose-built neighbourhood hub that would accommodate a broader range of services but this remained “several years away” and so couldn’t solve the capacity issues it is experiencing now.
“Historically, the practice was able to host services such as health visitors within its premises, which was particularly beneficial given the town’s relatively young population,” the surgery said in its planning documents.
“Co-location of services facilitated multi-disciplinary working, improved communication between professionals, and supported effective safeguarding arrangements for vulnerable children and families.
“Due to the severe shortage of space, these services can no longer be accommodated on site, resulting in the loss of these important collaborative benefits.”
The application was validated by East Devon District Council this month and so it is not yet clear when its planning committee will debate the application.