Got news? Tell us!
Get involved: send your pictures, video, news and views by texting gazette news to 80360, or email us i-witness@nqe.com »
Colchester: NHS defends location of new medical centre
9:40am Wednesday 24th September 2008
Comments (5)A newly-planned medical centre is being put in the wrong place, according to local councillors.
Earlier this year, North East Essex NHS Primary Care Trust (PCT) announced it was going to create a new GP-led medical centre in the primary care centre in Turner Road, Colchester, as part of a Government scheme to improve access to doctors.
But research by marketing company CACI suggests many PCTs may be building the centres in the wrong places.
Mile End councillor Martin Goss said he believed there were better sites for the centre.
He said: “The hospital already provides A&E facilities, and there are various doctors’ surgeries in the ward as well.
“Getting to Mile End is a nightmare because bus services aren’t adequate and I think it will cause congestion on an already busy road.”
transport Mr Goss added: “It would have been better to put it near the new stadium because that is away from residential areas and there will be better transport links once the new A12 junction is built.”
But PCT chief executive Paul Zollinger-Read said he stood by the decision to put the centre in Turner Road.
He said: “This is the right area, partly because there is significant housing planned and there will be an increase of need for the service.
“It will bring together the walk-in centre with a GP centre and bringing in diagnostics, so everything can be done under one roof.”
He explained that the PCT had chosen the site in Colchester because they were already investing heavily in GP surgeries in Tendring.
Your Say YourGazette
gossmartin, Mile End, Colchester says...
3:02pm Wed 24 Sep 08
guyfawkes999, England says...
5:34pm Wed 24 Sep 08
Boris, Colchester says...
11:01pm Wed 24 Sep 08
The ex-Royal London building, where it has been for several years, is central enough for most people. If the PCT can't afford the rent there, then they could put it in Essex County Hospital which is similarly central.
Or what about Angel Court? CBC is reportedly planning to move out of there, that would be an ideal location.
And Mr Goss, if by some bizarre chance a site near Cuckoo Farm is chosen, I repeat my question, are you going to prevent public access to the drive-in centre on CUFC match days?
I answered your question, now you answer mine, please.
gossmartin, Mile End, Colchester says...
7:58am Thu 25 Sep 08
Obviuously the new building if it ever happened would have ample parking and bus routes laid on.
In this section
- Danish trip to give Scouts a new view of conservation
- A driver hit me and then just drove off
- Leisure plans axed in U-turn over borrowing
- £2m deal gets Riverside Quarter scheme moving again
- 120 new homes for rent to town's needy family
- Greenstead murder 'a robbery that went wrong'
- Repairing the Roman wall is like painting the Forth Bridge
- Killer fails in bid to get sentence cut
- House left uninhabitable by fire
- Fire in car workshop
Sponsored Links
Local Advertisers
Local Information
Enter your postcode, town or place name
Boris, Colchester says...
1:44pm Wed 24 Sep 08
Our stupid PCT are not calling it a walk-in centre any more, because they know the town centre is the only place for such a service.
As for siting it at Cuckoo Farm, Mr. Goss must be out of his mind. It is meant to be for Colchester, not just for Mile End. And supposing someone needs to visit it while a football match is on? Will you allow them to get anywhere near the place, Mr. Goss? What if they dare to park their car outside the house of one of your electors?
Think again, king of the nimbies.