Shaw and Crompton communities have had a bomb shell delivered that the plug has just been pulled on their new Health Centre at the last minute.
Shaw and Crompton councillors have been informed that a new health centre for Shaw and Crompton is now not affordable, and so Oldham Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) have axed the scheme.
“Shaw and Crompton councillors have worked incredibly hard to reach the position where this was ready to go, with the site ready to go, capital funding allocated, a developer commissioned, and plans developed. This is a massive kick in the teeth and a great disappointment to our local community and those who use and work in the current Health Centre,” stated Shaw councillor and Liberal Democrat Group Leader, Howard Sykes.
Shadow Cabinet Member for Heath & Social Liberal Democrat Crompton councillor Louie Hamblett has written to Oldham CCG’s Accountable Officer Mike Barker about the matter.
“Increased costs; as a result of covid, events in Eastern Europe and the cost-of-living crises, are excuses the CCG uses for it now not being affordable and they quote a figure of an increase of half a million pounds in costs,” stated councillor Hamblett.
“We are demanding an urgent meeting so this decision can be justified and fully explained – Shaw and Crompton demands nothing less. We will not be fobbed off and we now need to negotiate a plan B to get the Heath Centre Shaw and Crompton so rightly deserves, he added.
“All six councillors will continue, as we have for many years, to campaign for its replacement and to hold those responsible for our local health services to account and make sure they deliver what the Shaw and Crompton community needs and rightly expects. That is local health faculties fit for purpose with a range of services people expect in the 21st century. This is just not possible in the current patched up building that is well past its sell by date,” pledged councillor Sykes.
“On top of this we have hundreds of new homes being built in the area. Where are these families supposed to go for primary health care? Our fight and campaign for facilities that enable increased capacity of quality health services continues until this is delivered,” he stated.