Shaw Medical Centre 'coming along' in time for summer

Work started on constructing the new Shaw Medical Centre on the former Shaw Baths site on Westway in summer last year.

The centre is being built to replace the former GP surgeries, The Village Medical Practice and The Oak Gables Partnership, which sat in the Crompton Health Centre.

While the old High Street building was deemed not fit for purpose, original plans for the new facility were scrapped by the Oldham Clinical Commissioning Group in 2022 in a bombshell meeting.

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At the time, Mike Barker, accountable officer for the CCG, said the plans were "unaffordable" and that the project was "temporarily put on hold" due to "challenges" with public finances and inflation triggered by the pandemic and the conflict in Ukraine.

The axed plans prompted outrage from Shaw and Crompton councillors across the political spectrum who called the decision a "massive kick in the teeth" and a "significant setback" for the area.

However, after mounting pressure, the CCG reassessed the plans and confirmed a new budget to bring the vision to life.

Drone view construction of the site last year (Image: NHS)

The plans include the construction of a three-storey building to accommodate GP practices, dental facilities and extended primary care facilities.

It is earmarked to serve around 13,000 patients and offer other specialist services, such as community and mental health clinics, diabetes and respiratory clinics and specialist physiotherapy.

There will also be scope for shared facilities with the nearby Lifelong Learning Centre, which provides learning services for adults aged 19 and over.

Up to 48 car parking spaces will be available at the new health centre, including four spots for disabled people, six electric vehicle charging points and a cycling storage space.

As for the building itself, it will have a "functional, contemporary design" and will be a mix of stone block and render finishes.

When the new plans were revealed at the time, Mr Barker added: "The Shaw/Crompton development has been in the making for more than 15 years, but now we have a new deal which is fantastic news for patients and the local area.”

Meanwhile, Councillor Barbara Brownridge, Cabinet member for health and social care, said it was "really exciting" to start the process of building a "state-of-the-art" and "much-needed" facility.

Now, photographs show the new block has been built in significant progress compared to when only scaffolding and its skeletal shape were erected towards the end of last year.

Parts of the building have also been painted which residents hope is a sign the care centre will be completed on schedule for June this year.

Reacting to its progress, residents said it was "great to see" the new building coming to life, though many added they had been promised the new site "for years" and queried if there would be "any doctors to see patients". 

Mike Barker, Place Lead for NHS Oldham Integrated Care Partnership said:  “The work to develop the new Shaw Crompton Medical Centre is progressing well, and we are working towards it being fully ready by the summer of this year.

“The new centre will have purpose-designed modern facilities, including consultation and treatment rooms, meeting rooms and training facilities, as well as accessible parking and waiting areas that are safe and well-lit.”

Oldham Council has also been contacted for comment.

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