Levin medical centre proposed
The creation of a new medical centre in Levin may combat Horowhenua’s struggles with waiting times and patient demand, but it will also leave a community hub without a base.
The owners of Cambridge Medical Centre are behind a proposal to build a new medical centre on Durham St, which would include taking over the land occupied by the Jack Allen House Community Hub.
The hub contains organisations such as the Citizens Advice Bureau, Levin Stoke Support, Horowhenua Stairway Inc, and independent counsellors.
The Horowhenua District Council was working with community groups to look for an affordable alternative site for the hub.
Cambridge Medical Centre clinical leader Dr Bente Ongkiehong said in recent years the primary care sector had struggled to retain general practitioners in Horowhenua, and keep up with patient demand.
As Levin had an ageing and growing population and significant patient waiting times, a new centre was needed, she said.
The centre would help attract skilled medical professionals to Levin.
It would have a general practice, pharmacy, skin cancer clinic and spaces for visiting specialists. Future plans included physiotherapy and gym services, and space for other health services to lease. The proposed centre would include a park-like pedestrian accessway, near the nearby Levin Adventure Park. Along this route, there would be a cafe with seating on a public square.
Jack Allen House was run by Contact Inc, which owned part of the property.
Manager Eleanor Gully said the proposal was a bit of a shock but she agreed Horowhenua was desperate for improved health services and care. ‘‘Our community is crying out for higher levels of health care service, and this development is part of the answer,’’ she said.
Cambridge Medical Centre business development manager Hans Roberti said the project aimed to create an attractive training environment for young health professionals. He said he was conscious the proposal required the relocation of the Jack Allen House and the community and patient group services that used it.
He said the centre management was grateful the council had agreed to develop an alternative, fit-for-purpose community hub. ‘‘We’ll do all we can to support the move, as we recognise the importance of the services they provide in our community,’’ he says.
District council economic development manager Shanon Grainger said support had already been expressed for negotiations to begin on the sale of the council-owned land.