Kirklees Councillors step up bid for new Huddersfield surgery

Dec 10 2009 By Neil Atkinson

A CAMPAIGN launched NINE YEARS ago to get a health centre for thousands of people in a large part of Huddersfield has been stepped up.

Three Labour councillors have persuaded Kirklees Council to set up a scrutiny panel to investigate the lack of facilities in Sheepridge, Deighton and Bradley.

They represent an area with a population of more than 17,000 people which has just one temporary surgery, with a doctor visiting on certain days.

Similar areas in Huddersfield with similar populations are far better served.

Neighbouring Marsh and Lindley has 10 surgeries and there are a similar number in the Lockwood and Netherton area.

Now the councillors hope to gather support to persuade NHS Kirklees to move forward with plans to set up a purpose-built health centre or GP practice.

In the past few years, sites have been identified for a health centre and an architect drew up plans, but nothing was decided.

Now Ashbrow ward councillors Jean Calvert, Cath Harris and Ken Smith have gained agreement from the council’s scrutiny committee to set up a panel to inquire into the lack of community health facilities.