Rethink over plans for Carlisle GPs super surgery
Last updated at 12:07, Wednesday, 03 February 2010
Plans for a new Carlisle ‘super surgery’ on a controversial site a mile from the city centre are to be reconsidered.
Health bosses announced the review, likely to take weeks rather than months, a year after city GPs backed the Hilltop Heights site, off London Road, as the best location for the new, improved health centre.
Critics say the site is unsuitable for several reasons, including the lack of public transport.
MP Eric Martlew led a campaign against the Hilltop site, calling for the super surgery to be built in the St Nicholas Gate/Botchergate area.
Speaking today, Mr Martlew said he was pleased there would be a review but the decision should have been made 15 months ago when he made a personal appeal to health bosses about the issue.
He said: “This super surgery will be built with public money and we have an opportunity not only to have great GP and medical facilities but also to upgrade a part of the city which desperately needs it.
“It’s a win-win situation.
“The Hilltop Heights site was always remote and inaccessible and it would cost a lot to get public transport to go there.
“The St Nicholas Gate site, on the other hand, is well supplied with buses; it’s on the flat.
“The only worry now is whether the public money will be there to do it.”
Health bosses said the review was to ensure they get the best possible value for money – taking into account recent fluctuations in the local property market before committing to a definite site for the centre, an amalgamation of six surgeries – Brunswick House, Spencer Street and four combined at Grosvenor House/Warwick Square.
They vowed to address the public transport issue and was in talks with Stagecoach about rerouting some of its buses.
But now NHS Cumbria, which has the final say on the scheme, confirmed the site is being reviewed before a final business case is submitted.
A spokesman said: “This is an opportunity to take stock and assess progress. It is also a chance to revaluate the Hilltop site against the backdrop of any changes to the local land and property market that may have occurred over the last 12 months.
“If at the end of this review, [the medical group behind the surgery] decide to pursue an alternative site for the health centre, the primary care trust would need to consider a revised plan before giving approval.”
First published at 11:28, Wednesday, 03 February 2010
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk
This is a total waste of money. How many operations would this pay for?
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"I TOLD YOU SO" springs to mind. Most of the patients of these practices said originally that it was too far out of town, not to mention up a steep hill.
Posted by K on 4 February 2010 at 19:32