IMH could be referred to MPs and a health ombudsman if services do not improve, Swindon’s council leader has warned.

Patients at five surgeries in the town have spoken of difficulties in booking doctors’ appointments.

Now, Swindon Borough Council leader David Renard has issued a warning to the medical firm.

Writing to ward residents, the Haydon Wick councillor said he had told Swindon Clinical Commissioning Group: “The Smarter Health Services provided by IMH has not been in evidence and if not improved drastically, is already deemed serious enough that it may warrant Parliament’s attention. I will have no compunction in contacting the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman, to ask for an independent review, if the service does not improve.”

Last month, IMH chief medical officer Dr David Jones said that lessons had been learned: “We will continue to cooperate fully and work closely with Swindon CCG and other third-party stakeholders."