Anger over new health centre dates (From This Is Lancashire)

Anger over new health centre dates

12:30pm Friday 30th October 2009

• Print
• Email
• Share

DELAYS to plans to build six new state-of-the-art health centres in Bolton have sparked anger in the areas that will have to wait the longest.

NHS Bolton’s board has approved a revised timetable for the work, which means some centres will not be completed until 2016.

The Primary Care Trust has made the move because of its current financial situation — the organisation needs to save £14 million this year — and concerns about the future economic climate.

The centres will be built by a third party for an average cost of £7 million, with NHS Bolton paying £1 million a year per centre in rent.

Avondale and Farnworth will get their facilities a year late in 2012/13, followed by Great Lever two years behind schedule in 2013/14.

But Little Lever will have to wait six years, until 2014/15, and Horwich and Westhoughton will not now have their centres until 2016.

Cllr Sean Hornby, who represents Little Lever, has been campaigning for a new facility for the village. The current building was this year described as “falling short” of standards by Tim Evans, chief executive of NHS Bolton.

Cllr Hornby said: “I’m very disappointed, it’s not good enough.

“We still want a public meeting with the PCT, this decision has been taken without any consultation. We’re not happy with how it’s been done.

“There is no guarantee we will get a centre at all. It’s very worrying.”

His sentiments have been echoed by council colleagues in Westhoughton and Horwich who are bottom of the list.

Cllr David Wilkinson, who represents Westhoughton South, said: “This news is appalling. Eventually we will not receive a health centre at all.

“To go back another three or four years given the demand for services and current building is not good news at all, for staff or patients.”

Cllr Barbara Ronson, of Horwich, said: “It is disappointing to have to wait so long, Horwich is quite a big town and does need these services.”

cherry.thomas@theboltonnews.co.uk

• Print
• Email
• Share