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Rival bids lodged to run new town centre health clinic - COMMENT ON THIS STORY

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Published Date: 08 December 2008
By John Ritchie
A NEW health centre could be opened in the former Scarborough Building Society offices in York Place.
The Evening News understands that two organisations are in the running to operate the new health centre, amid a fierce debate about whether or not Scarborough even needs a new polyclinic or "Darzi Centre".

The first is a consortium comprising of high street store Boots which has an outlet in Westborough, and a group of GPs backed by the North Yorkshire and York Primary Care Trust (PCT).

The second contender is Scarborough GP Dougie Moederle-Lumb.

Dr Moederle-Lumb, who runs Peasholm Surgery has submitted a planning application to Scarborough Council for a change of use of the property in York Place into a medical centre.

The long running saga into where and when the new medical facility will open will be decided by health chiefs at a meeting in York in January.

Dr Moederle-Lumb, declined to comment on the proposals.

A spokesman from Boots said: "Boots is continually reviewing opportunities to develop community pharmacies. However, we can't comment on market speculation."

Health chiefs do not use the phrases Darzi Centre or polyclinic, opting instead to talk of an "extended hours" medical service.

Scarborough councillor David Billing, vice chairman of North Yorkshire County Council's scrutiny of health committee, said: "There are significant and deeply rooted health issues in Scarborough and I welcome any initiative which will improve the general well-being of the town's residents.

"Why should people living in some parts of Scarborough die younger than people living in other parts of the country?

"Why is the level of teenage pregnancy so high in some parts of the town?

"I'm aware that there has been some opposition to the introduction of something called a Darzi Centre but what we're talking about here is an extended hours service which aims to improve the quality of health of everyone.

"Why should people who are opposed to the scheme be allowed to decide if others should die any earlier because of their lifestyles? Whatever the final outcome is, I welcome any investment which will help to improve the health of the town's residents."

One neighbour in York Place, who would not give their name, said the proposed plan for the building was better than it standing empty.

A spokesman for the PCT said: "We are currently going through the final stages of procurement with shortlisted bidders. All bidders are being evaluated by an impartial panel against a set of predetermined criteria.

"The panel will not consist of the anyone with conflicting interests in the outcome of the selection process and bidders have the right to contend the members on the panel should they feel they have a conflict of interest.

"Strict guidelines will be adhered to throughout the selection process.

"The decision on who to award the contract to has not yet been made.

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  • Last Updated: 08 December 2008 8:36 AM
  • Source: Scarborough Evening News
  • Location: Scarborough
 
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Shrek,

08/12/2008 11:12:48
What concern me is the is very few disabled parking spaces in that area, the nearest is opposite and further up on Albemarle cresent, but these spaces are nearly always full. If this plan goes ahead we need to ensure that more spaces are available even if its only a few otherwise those who are entitle to park with a blue badge will struggle even more to find places
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Angelval,

Scarborough 08/12/2008 17:20:40
Although I agree with Shrek's comments about disabled parking, as a service for people who are sick, shouldn't parking be available for others too?
What about the parent of a sick child? Where does that parent park and how far does the sick child have to walk? Or any person whose mobility is temporarily impaired due to their illness or treatment - the reason for visiting the proposed clinic.
I have a friend whose GP is in the Belgrave Surgery near Falsgrave, it's not easy to get a parking place near there. Do planners think of such things when they select these buildings for use?
3

darkstairs,

09/12/2008 09:41:33
Only two posts in 24 hours both of which seem more concerned with car parking than a health centre. I would have thought that the advantages of the former would far outweigh the dissadvantage of the latter.
There is a car park only yards away in the Brunswick centre of course.

"daft I call it"
4

Shrek,

09/12/2008 11:27:31
darkstairs of course ether are other concerns, that just happened to be one of them which would effect my daughter who is disabled.

A disabled person would have great difficulty using a normal space due to space between cars etc. Of course its bad enough parking at the road side too, but its a lot better than parking side by side next to a car. We have to have the door widen open on to the pavement to allow her to get out.

My concern was of course if this was allowed there would be much more likely to find all the spaces close by full, I have to drive round town once or twice to find a disabled space for her to get out of these include Albermarle crescent (2 of them), York place, Library,St Nicholas street (2 of them) and Mataland

If this was allowed to be then there must be more provision for parking, I sympathise with any one that is sick, but if they park in a blue badge space that's one less space for a disabled person and there are only room for 2 large vehicle outside as there is a bus stop opposite

I dont think this is a suitable place for a surgery at all

At least with Belgrave surgery there is space behind near and to the side near the bridge
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Lady Taurus ,

Scarborough 09/12/2008 12:21:41
Great comments Shrek and I agree with you, there does need to be some free parking for anyone to use who is ill or disabled, especially when going to the Dr's.

I think a great many able bodied people have no idea how hard it is for the disabled and their carers, just to go about their daily business.

The effort needed just to get ready and into the disabled vehicle is unbelievable. Everything should be done to help the disabled and their wonderful carers.

Also any patients going to the Dr's in Belgrave Cresent can drop the sick person off and park in Safeway's car park over the road, if they can't find a parking place.
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Shrek,

09/12/2008 14:34:43
I agree Lady Taurus

I am able bodied myself but the few times I do have my daughter who is the holder of the blue badge its hard to find any where when she is with us. What makes it worse particularly in supermarket car parks is the abuse my lazy people who park in disabled spots and thus deny disabled any parking and we get told to use mother and child space and then deny them a space

I am not against improving facilities for the sick but this must not come at the cost of the facilities already in town for the disabled. I know some disabled with use this already but there needs to be more space [perhaps a couple near cats whiskers to provide adequate parking for those who genuine need them
7

darkstairs,

09/12/2008 15:04:02
It looks a pretty large building and obviously will be used by customers who are unwell.
How may parking places would be neccessary I wonder?

"daft I call it"
8

English like wot she is meant to be spoke,

09/12/2008 21:27:43
"The long running saga into where and when the new medical facility will open..."

A long running saga *INTO* where and when etc etc???? Where do you get these so-called journalists from?

No, I never heard of a short running saga either!

Oh yes while I'm on... have to agree with Shrek, lack of parking makes the town centre a bad place for a surgery, super or otherwise.
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Lady Taurus ,

Scarborough 10/12/2008 15:34:12
It amazes me that nowaday's whenever you ring the Dr's however poorly the patient is you are asked to take them into the surgery.

I for one think it is inhuman to be asked to do this when you can see how ill the person is.

I do agree there must be some people who ring in and don't need a home visit, but surely if one is needed the Dr should be informed and visit.

I also agree with the other writes and feel the town centre is the wrong site for this proposed surgery, due to lack of parking.

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