New medical centre may be on green field

Darley Dale Medical Centre has issued a questionnaire asking people to have their say on two different proposed sites for the centre.

They are currently working with NHS England on a business case to secure funding for the project, as the centre has outgrown its current building.

The first site people can choose from is on greenfield land opposite the current surgery, while the other site is on land near the old tennis courts at St Elphins.

The practice manager at the medical centre was not avaliable to comment, but in a poster that they designed to encourage people to take part in the questionnaire, they outlined the reasons for the move.

“We are currently working with NHS England on a business case to secure funding for a new surgery in Darley Dale.

“We have outgrown our current building and it no longer complies with CQC or NHS guidance.

“We would like to provide services that currently we simply donot have the space to provide.

“A new building will ensure we can react to changes in healthcare in the future.”

But Darley Dale Town councillor John Evans said the council would prefer the new centre to be built on a different site, that is currently owned by the council.

He added: “Out of the two sites, we would prefer it to be built on the brownfield site at St Elphins. We wouldn’t be happy with the greenfield site behind RBS.

“However, we would rather it be built on council land near the Whitworth Centre.

“This site is closer to Darley Dale, and it dosen’t contribute to the battle of building between Darley Dale and Matlock.

“We have offered the practice the chance to come and have a look.

“We would work jointly with them to make sure it all goes well.”

Anybody who wants to take part in the survey can head to www.darleydalesurgery.co.uk and follow the link on the New Surgery Questionnaire page, it can also be done on paper at the surgery.