HEALTH chiefs in Suffolk have come under fire for 'failing to consider the needs of patients' when earmarking a Haverhill car park as a suitable site on which to build a temporary health clinic.
NHS Suffolk (formerly known as Suffolk Primary Care Trust) wants to build a modular health centre in the free car park at the rear of Haverhill Chiropractic Centre and Dexascan Services, in Withersfield Road, and is now applying for planning permissi
on from St Edmundsbury Council.
The so-called ‘Darzi’ clinic will remain at its temporary home for three years until a permanent location is found and will offer comprehensive, GP-led health care from 8am until 8pm seven days a week. It will cost an estimated £248,000 a year to run.
The decision to use the car park has been criticised by Diana Garrod, the joint-owner of Haverhill Chiropractic Centre and Dexascan Services, which undertakes bone-density scans for monitoring and preventing osteoporosis.
Mrs Garrod is angry that the proposals will allow just four car parking spaces for staff, clients and patients who use the five chiropractors, podiatrist, chiropodist and massage therapist based there.
She said: “In choosing this site, the PCT has not considered these patients’ needs.
“They come in with back pain and neck pain and most of these people have tried the NHS route and they’ve not been successful, so they come to us to look for further relief.
“They are in pain, a lot of people, that’s the thing. They can’t walk a lot of distance when they’ve got back pain.
“We have very loyal and dedicated GPs in Haverhill and this money should be used to extend and improve their facilities.”
Martin Royal, director of business development and external relations for NHS Suffolk, the county’s primary care trust, said: “Using the temporary facility, we will be able to enhance healthcare services in Haverhill and surrounding villages for those interim years.
“We have done our very best to make sure that the local residents and business community were consulted, using a range of different methods including public meetings and letters sent directly to those most affected, which included local businesses.
“Clearly, once the temporary facility is in place, it will displace a small number of short-term car parking spaces.
“The borough and town council have made alternative, local short-term parking available not more than 100 metres from the existing car park.”
n Will the loss of the car parking spaces affect you? Write and tell the Echo your thoughts at news@ haverhillecho.com
