Villagers welcome £12m health centre proposals
RESIDENTS say their village is “crying out” for £12m proposed improvements to its health centre which were put forward by a Nottinghamshire MP.
Rushcliffe MP Ruth Edwards said she wants to see the current “dilapidated” and “not-fit-forpurpose” healthcare facility replaced with a “modern highquality” site in East Leake.
Working with the Rushclife Clinical Commissioning Group and the centre, she has also tabled a proposal to relocate the village’s library, social services, dental practice, pharmacy and parish council offices into the new building.
Residents in the village have stressed the investment is needed due to “increased demand” following new homes that have been built and more in the pipeline.
John Martin, 65, who has lived in the village for 30 years, told Nottinghamshire Live: “It’s a great suggestion. The doctors is always busy. It is a great service, but investment is really important as the village grows.”
Martha Underwood, 59, of East Leake, added: “It’s a significant amount, so I hope it gets put forward. I think the village is crying out for it. It gets an awful lot of use.
“A fresh new centre would make a lot of people happy, especially with all the new homes we are getting.”
A 70-year-old woman who has lived in the village for 10 years, but wished to remain unnamed, added: “It makes a lot of sense to me. I would like to see it. I often go there for blood checks and consultations, it can be a wait for an appointment and is always busy.”
The total cost of the project is £12.4m and the MP has asked for central government funding totalling £7.3m.
The remaining money would come from housing developers, a low rent with Rushcliffe Borough Council, which owns the land, and additional investment from organisations who would move into the building.
“This centre needs to be replaced with one fit for the 21st Century and one that is a community hub offering a range of services in a modern building,” said Ruth Edwards MP.
“The proposal is to follow the highly successful model in Cotgrave and co-locate primary and community care services as well as other public sector organisations to form a community hub.
“It would allow the delivery of enhanced primary care health services and community facilities in the most cost-effective way.
“It would also serve as a model for modern delivery of multiple services in the community and should relieve pressure on the A&E Department at the Queen’s Medical Centre in Nottingham.
“I have visited the centre and the staff are doing an incredible job in very trying circumstances inside a dilapidated building unfit for purpose.”
East Leake Health Centre, in Gotham Road, is rated ‘outstanding’ by the Care Quality Commission.