Support for Denton Holme super surgery
Last updated 16:31, Tuesday, 05 August 2008
SUPPORT is growing for a campaign to have a super surgery built in the heart of Denton Holme in Carlisle.
Dr Christine Allen says it makes more sense to build it on a vacant site in Denton Holme rather than on high ground at Hilltop Heights.
Six doctors’ practices are planning to join forces to create the Carlisle Medical Group – a one-stop health centre serving about 35,000 patients.
Land alongside the present Cuedoc premises have been earmarked for the development, but that has been opposed by Denton Holme councillor Hugh McDevitt.
He believes land at Collingwood Street should be used and his views have received support.
Dr Allen, of Lime Street, said: “This site would be much more convenient, not only for residents of Denton Holme and Longsowerby but also for some in Morton.
“All of these districts have a significant elderly population, a number of whom do not have their own transport.
“Travel to Hilltop Heights would be most inconvenient, probably involving a change of buses or – worse for many – an expensive taxi journey.
“Denton Holme is poorly served for medical services and residents have expressed concern about this for some time.
“Surely there is little point in building such a medical centre if any improvement in the services it offers is negated by difficulty of access.”
Maureen Sanderson, of Garfield Street, Denton Holme, said: “Denton Holme is much more accessible for many of the patients registered with these practices.
“I believe that the new University of Cumbria will be built close to Denton Holme, bringing many students who would seek treatment or advice from a super surgery within walking distance.
“The distance between Denton Holme and the Cumberland Infirmary can be covered faster, should any patients need to be transferred to the hospital from the surgery.
“The Hilltop Heights site is very much ‘out of the way’ for most people and does not appear to be a patient-friendly area as the steep hill could be hazardous in the winter months for drivers and other patients – especially those with a disability, wheelchair- bound or the elderly.
A final consultation over the proposal is to be held at the Morton Community Centre at 7pm on Thursday.
Opinion: P12-13
DGudgeon@cngroup.co.uk
I think Denton Holme would be the best place for this surgery. The residents of Morton would benefit from it too. I'v lived in Denton Holmes for 25 years and its a great community. we do have alot of elderly resident who would also benefit too.
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I fully support the building of a medical centre on vacant land at Collinwood Street, Denton Holme.
I think the idea to expand the medical centre at Hilltop Heights is preposterous - with its isolated and elevated location making it very hard to get to. Something that ill people do not want and indeed should not have to contend with.
Denton Holme currently has poor medical facilities and if this idea becomes reality would greatly improve the
quality of life for thousands of people. It is an easily accessible site with existing transport links which could be expanded.
Posted by Craig Kenney on 10 August 2008 kl. 15:49