Assurance given on health centre plans

Claims that plans for a new health centre in Saddleworth have hit the buffers have been denied by health chiefs.

Money for a new development will be there until 2011, according to the NHS Oldham chairman, Riaz Ahmad.

He was responding after Greenfield and Grasscroft Residents’ Association said time was running out for new proposals.

It claimed talks with Tesco about a new health centre in Greenfield broke down last year.
Mr Ahmad, a former Oldham councillor and Mayor of Oldham, said: “We are still working hard to find a site in the Saddleworth area, and I am confident that we will.

“There is money in the LIFT programme (local improvement finance trust) until 2011.”

Oldham’s £100 million LIFT scheme will provide up to 10 new health schemes over 20 years, and there are already new centres in Glodwick and Moorside, and buildings under way in Royton and Chadderton.

Mike Rooke, association secretary, said members had spoken out because they felt they were no further forward than they were in 2005.

After controversial plans for a Tesco supermarket, marina and new houses were approved for the Wellington Mills/Knoll Spinning company site in Greenfield in 2005, the association began campaigning for a health centre to be included.

Members held their own survey, contacted Tesco’s chief executive, Sir Terry Leahy, and had meetings with local health providers and officials, Oldham Council and local politicians.

Mr Rooke added: “We have been led to understand that budget decisions must be made by NHS Oldham in September. If that’s the case, time is running out for any new proposals.

“Despite much reassurance from health officials, there’s been nothing to show for all their fine words.

“By now, plans should have been in place and made known to the public. It seems we’re back to square one, exactly where we were in 2005.”

Shauna Dixon, director of clinical leadership for NHS Oldham, said: “Our plan is to create a network of enhanced health services including the existing Uppermill Health Centre, Delph Clinic and a potential new development. We remain committed to listening and working with people in Saddleworth and continue to look at sites for a new development in the Saddleworth area.”

Oldham Councillor Brian Lord, a non-voting member of the NHS board, who is also cabinet member for adult and community services, said: “NHS Oldham has been looking for site across Saddleworth with local councillors.

“The Saddleworth Parish Council Plan showed that the vast majority of people didn’t want Greenfield, and preferred Uppermill for a health centre.

“The will is there, the money is there, but at the moment the land is not.

“As a cabinet and board member I know the money is safe, but I am not optimistic work will start tomorrow.”

Oldham East and Saddleworth MP Phil Woolas said: “There is a lot going on and the primary care trust has always made it very clear it is looking at other sites.”