GPs scupper Cannock health centre plan

A scheme to create a health centre in Cannock dealing with 10,000 patients has suffered a blow after GPs said it should be scrapped.

The new health centre for Cannock was originally intended to house four local practices.

But the Cannock Chase Commissioning Consortium voted to recommend to the South Staffordshire Primary Care Trust that the proposal to develop the new centre at Mill Street through a private finance initiative scheme should be abandoned.

The original proposals have recently been downscaled to remove community nursing and social care facilities. Following consultation of the practices one withdrew from the project and the others' view is that the money could be better spent on other measures.

Geraint Griffiths, deputy chief executive of the PCT said he was aware of the results of the Cannock Chase Consortium meeting last Thursday and the views of local GPs.

"This will be an item for discussion at a future PCT trust board meeting. The board will consider all options available to meet the health needs of people."

If the health centre scheme went ahead with the three practices it would result in a centre catering for about 10,000 patients.

Consortium member Dr Lynne Hulme said: "Given that the new Colliery Practice in Huntington was built for £330,000 it was felt that the Cannock Health Centre in its present form was not the best value for money for Cannock residents."

If the centre does not go ahead the consortium will be pressing the PCT to help in upgrading existing facilities and finding another solution to accommodation problems.