City councillor calls for GP super surgery to be built on Carlisle's south side
Last updated at 14:24, Tuesday, 09 March 2010
A Currock councillor is calling for Carlisle’s new super surgery to be built on the south side of the city.
Related: Doctors look at other sites for Carlisle’s proposed super surgery
Abdul Harid says it is essential that the medical centre is easily accessible to those living in Currock, Upperby and Harraby, where a large proportion of its patients live.
Mr Harid was strongly opposed to plans to build the surgery at Hilltop Heights – a decision that is now being reviewed.
He is therefore using the opportunity to plead the case of those in his ward, whom he says have poor access to health services.
He said the controversial Hilltop Heights site, just off London Road next to the Cumbria Health on Call base, is inappropriate because it is not on the majority of bus routes, and furthermore its hillside location would make it difficult to access in icy weather.
He is instead calling on the Carlisle Medical Group (CMG), the group of GPs behind the super surgery plan, to consider somewhere like St Nicholas Gate – which is also backed by MP Eric Martlew.
“For the people of Currock I would be very happy to see it built on the south side of Carlisle,” he said. “There’s a small surgery in Currock but that is all we have. This would be very beneficial provided it is in the right place.”
After initially backing Hilltop heights, CMG confirmed last week that it is now considering a number of alternative sites for the super surgery.
The exact locations have not been released because the information is commercially sensitive, but bosses say the aim of the review is to ensure they are getting best value for the funds available. Each new site being looked at will be assessed against the land at Hilltop Heights.
Serving a total of 35,000 patients, the super surgery will be an amalgamation of six existing city centre practices – Brunswick House, Spencer Street and four combined at Grosvenor House/Warwick Square – onto one site.
Mr Harid added: “I raised concerns about Hilltop Heights at a workshop back in December so I’m pleased to see it being reviewed.
“The idea of one health centre with everything all under one roof is a good one, but it needs be accessible to all.
“St Nicholas Gate would be more appropriate because it is on bus routes serving Currock, Upperby, Harraby etc, but whichever site is chosen it needs to be on the south of Carlisle. We need it.”
First published at 11:26, Tuesday, 09 March 2010
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk
How about St Nicholas Gate area?
Buses* Flat* Covers wide area of patients*
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St Nicholas Gate is a retail area, only two of the custom built units are empty. The rest are occupied, highly popular and valued by many. There is no need for a "super surgery" in that location, it is only 150 metres away from the brand new Fusehill St medical practice which in itself is a large, modern surgery. Taking that into consideration, what would be the value in creating a similar facility as its near neighbour?. Mr Marlew & Mr Harid do not strike me as having thought this plan of theirs through at all.
Posted by Andrew on 10 March 2010 at 21:01