Ref. 20091-74ALEX EMERY looks at the problem of doctors' surgeries closing their books to new patients and what the health body responsible for GPs is doing to address the situation.

MORE than a third of doctors' surgeries in Swindon are not taking on new patients. But this will be eased later in the year when a new Primary Care Trust surgery opens in the town centre.

Out of the 29 GP practices in Swindon, which are run by the PCT, 10 currently have full books.

Ros Hartley, director of primary care and commissioning at Swindon PCT, explained that the national problem of recruiting GPs was also evident in Swindon.

She said: "Swindon is an area of growth and some practices may be working to full capacity. Others may have outstanding GP vacancies.

"We currently have 13 GP vacancies mainly around central Swin-don. Five of these vacancies are newly created jobs.

"There are challenges around recruitment nationally and Swindon is no exception to this. We experience the same sort of problems as other parts of the country."

But the problem is not being ignored by Swindon health chiefs. The PCT will not yet give specific details on the planned surgery but said it will be in the town centre later in the year and will cater for 3,200 patients.

Schemes to boost GP recruitment include encouraging practices to create more flexible jobs such as promoting part time or term time posts.

The PCT is also working to attract more GPs from mainland Europe, and encourage newly trained doctors to settle in the area.

Miss Hartley added: "We have three practices that are accredited training practices and we are working to increase this number in order to attract newly trained GPs to the area.

"We also work closely with Swin-don Council to ensure any new developments include a health centre."

Many surgeries now offer a range of ways for patients to consult their doctor, including telephone and e-mail consultations.

Dr Peter Crouch, of Taw Hill Surgery, said the centre currently has 2,500 registered patients but can cater for up to 20,000 people from the Northern Expansion area.

He said: "The closures remind me of the boiling frog analogy.

"If you place a frog in a container and slowly heat it up it won't notice that it's gradually being boiled.

"If you were to throw a frog straight into boiling water it will jump out to save itself.

"GPs don't like to close their lists but sometimes they take on too much which makes it difficult to cope.

"Surgeries that do close their lists are often painted as the villains but if they can't recruit staff it is the safest thing to do."

l How to register with a doctor

Anyone moving to the Swindon PCT area who wants to register can either contact the GP surgery of their choice direct or contact the Registration Department at Wiltshire Shared Services Consortium (WSSC) at Southgate House, Pans Lane, Devizes (01380 728899) to be allocated a practice.

If a practice has a full list and they cannot take more patients, the patients will be given details of their nearest available GP practice.

Surgeries that are currently full:

Central Swindon, Carfax Street

Crossroads, Cricklade Road, Swindon

Hermitage, Dammas Lane, Old Town

Merchiston, Highworth Road, Stratton St Margaret, Swindon

Old Town, Bath Road, Swindon

Park Lane, Swindon

Priory Road, Park South

Ridge Green, Ramleaze Drive

Victoria Cross, Victoria Road, Old Town and branch in Nythe

Whalebridge, Carfax Street

Alex Emery