Health chief says no to men's clinic (From Gazette)

Health chief says no to men's clinic

7:00am Monday 2nd November 2009 in

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A HEALTH chief has ruled out a proposal to set up a men’s health clinic to check for prostate cancer.

Campaigners had hoped NHS North East Essex would agree to set up the clinic at the newly-built Fryatt Hospital, in Harwich, so patients would not need to travel to Colchester for screening.

But a report on a recent meeting between health chiefs and Chris Booth, a urologist who supports the idea of a clinic, seemed to rule out the plan.

Mr Booth said the clinic “ticked all the boxes”, was medically sound and fully funded, but Dr Mike Gogerty, director of public health, turned down the idea, saying it was not in line with current plans to tackle men’s health.

He also confirmed nothing could be said to change his mind.

The report was met by anger from the public and councillors at a Harwich town council meeting.

They accused the PCT of having a “cavalier” approach to the proposal.

Lawrie Payne, a town councillor, said: “We need a proper explanation as to why this is not happening. Let’s put this man up to scrutiny.”

Councillors said they were told by Dr Paul Zollinger-Read, chief executive of NHS North East Essex, in January, they were “pushing against an open door” with the proposal.

Speaking after the meeting, councillor Dave Rutson, who has been campaigning for the clinic for two years, said Harwich was being “fobbed off”.

He said: “We are being deprived of something the town wants.

“It could be up and running within a matter of weeks.”

NHS North East Essex has come under increasing scrutiny for having a lack of facilities at Harwich Hospital.

Councillors voted to invite Dr Zollinger-Read to the next meeting of the town council.

NHS North East Essex was unavailable to comment.