A NEW health centre for Shaw and Crompton could be completed by March 2023 it has been revealed.
Mark Drury, the head of public affairs at the NHS Oldham Clinical Commissioning Group, has confirmed that a proposal to invite a private developer to build a new health centre on the former Shaw Baths site is being pursued, with the support of the NHS and Oldham Council.
It comes after a prolonged battle was waged by Shaw and Crompton councillors for a new health centre in the area. For several years councillors have fought for a new centre amid concerns residents were missing out on services.
Shaw councillor and Liberal Democrat group leader, Howard Sykes has described the plan for a new health centre for the district as the “best Christmas present ever if it happens.”
Cllr Sykes outside Crompton Health Centre.
He added: “The current health centre is clearly no longer fit for purpose, and we are in desperate need of a replacement modern facility. Shaw and Crompton residents have found it frustrating that, whilst their neighbours in Royton have been well-provided for, they have not.”
“Local Liberal Democrat councillors have been campaigning to right this injustice for years working behind the scenes to try and progress this project. In our alternate budget last year, the Liberal Democrats found extra money to fund a replacement, but unfortunately this proposal was not supported by Labour or Conservative councillors.”
NHS funding has now been awarded to support the scheme, but if the development is not substantially underway by January next year the funding may be withdrawn.
Planning permission will need to be secured at an early date and new lease agreements in place with the two GP practices that operate from the existing health centre for the scheme to go ahead.
Subject to various conditions and timescales, completion of the works is currently expected no later than the end of March 2023.
Councillor Sykes added: “We will need to move fast to ensure everything falls into place by January of next year to see our long-awaiting new health centre by the end of March 2023. Residents can be assured that local Liberal Democrat councillors will continue to press for this development to move it forward as quickly as possible as we have all been waiting a long time for this.”
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