About this website
Dr Thomas Guilder was Westcott’s GP for almost thirty years. His family have published his personal account of Riverbank Surgery — in full, and with the public records behind it — so his former patients and neighbours can read it directly.
Dr Tom was not invited to the village meeting about safeguarding Riverbank Surgery to present his side of the story. After attempts to have his letter published through two separate public village channels were declined, his family have published it here, so that the village and his former patients can read it easily.
The letter is Dr Guilder’s own personal account, written by him. The rest of this website — including the timeline, evidence summaries, residents’ questions and source collection — has been researched and compiled by his family to provide context and supporting records. More about this website.
Background
The updated Westcott Neighbourhood Development Plan proposes to safeguard Riverbank Surgery permanently for its existing use, under Policy WNDP7. Riverbank was brought within that policy during the plan’s Regulation 14 stage, following representations by Matplan, on behalf of Dorking Medical Practice, and by Rushmon Homes. The independent Examiner who reviewed the plan recommended that Riverbank be removed from WNDP7. Mole Valley District Council did not accept that recommendation at that stage and, after a further letter from the practice, decided to hold a focused consultation on whether the building should be safeguarded.
Explore the records
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Dr Tom’s Letter
His personal account of Riverbank Surgery, in full and in his own words.
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Timeline
The sequence of events, each with a direct link to a primary source.
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Source documents
The original records and the 2026 representations, grouped by who produced them.