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28 March 2012, 16:39 | Updated: 28 March 2012, 17:27
Plans to merge and close several GP surgeries in Peterborough have been approved.
The NHS Peterborough and NHS Cambridgeshire joint board met to approve the changes today (Wednesday).
A new 'urgent care centre', with a GP surgery, minor injury services with x-ray facilities and GP out of hours services will now be built in Peterborough as part of the plans.
The decisions that have been taken include:
According to health bosses, this money will be re-invested into 'other health priorities for the city, including meeting the cost of the population increase.'
Dr Sushil Jathanna, Chief Executive of NHS Cambridgeshire and NHS Peterborough said: "The redesigned urgent care services and the four new health centres are important steps forward in ensuring the NHS in Peterborough meets the changing needs of our growing population.
The vast majority of urgent minor health problems are managed by GP surgeries.
This strategy makes sure GPs have the facilities to enable them to provide these and many other patient services."