Proposed Brighouse health centre location in flood-hit area

Jun 20 2009 by Joanne Douglas, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

PATIENTS have opposed plans for a new Brighouse surgery near to a flood-hit area.

Land near to Brighouse Sports Centre is prone to flooding and patients have told health bosses it is unsuitable for a new surgery.

The site is one of two being considered by the health authority for a new multi-million health centre.

But health bosses said they have plans to install drainage and build a bridge at the site off Bradford Road if it is selected as the desired location.

The revelation came at the latest meeting of the Lower Valley Area Forum in Brighouse on Tuesday evening.

James Drury from NHS Calderdale gave an update to residents attending the meeting about the plans to merge Brighouse GP services.

Mr Drury said 21,259 letters were sent out to patients of Rydings Hall and Church Lane surgeries, which are due to merge.

He said that just short of 4,000 people responded with 54% backing the Bradford Road site and 41% in support of the Lawson Road site. The remaining patients did not state a preference.

Patients attending drop-in centres supported Lawson Road with 135 votes to Bradford Road’s 84.

Mr Drury said: “It’s going to be a very big health centre, around 3,000sqm and will contain GPs, community nurses, diagnostic testing and physio as well as out patients services.

“The site at the sports club is across the stream and we would need extra drainage and a bridge to get people across.”

But residents said the extra cost would be better spent on a new health centre in Brighouse Town Centre.