A CAISTER surgery is planning to extend its premises to ease overcrowding as it struggles to cope with ever increasing patient numbers.North Caister Medical Centre, in Branford Road, has applied to Yarmouth Borough Council for permission to extend the existing single-storey building, adding another storey to house extra consulting rooms.

A CAISTER surgery is planning to extend its premises to ease overcrowding as it struggles to cope with ever increasing patient numbers.

North Caister Medical Centre, in Branford Road, has applied to Yarmouth Borough Council for permission to extend the existing single-storey building, adding another storey to house extra consulting rooms. A lift will provide access between floors.

Chris Thompson, business manager for Coastal Village Practices, said the surgery had 3,800 registered patients, but

was designed to cope with a maximum of 4,000.

With Caister's growing population, the surgery would soon reach capacity and some patients were already being given appointments at other surgeries in the Coastal Village Practices group in Hemsby and Martham to alleviate overcrowding.

He said: “Essentially, we are running out of space. The village has expanded, our patient needs have expanded. If the plans are given the go-ahead we will have more consulting rooms in which we will be able to see more patients more quickly. It will provide patients with better access.”

Priority is being given to elderly patients registered with the Branford Road centre, as they are considered less mobile, while other patients are being sent to other surgeries.

Sean Perry, project lead for NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney, said: “The plans will ensure

the latest design requirements are met, making first-floor accommodation available for patient care, providing capacity for minor procedures in common with other premises' investments of this type, permitting a multi-agency one-stop approach and generally updating and improving the environment of the surgery for patients and staff.

“The business case will be developed pending availability of funds.”

The Branford Road surgery is also having to cope with the departure of one of its two doctors, leaving Dr Gary Dalton the only GP. Cover has been provided by staff from the other Coastal Village Practices.