The controversy surrounding the moving of Ludlow’s two GP surgeries to the proposed out-of-town site has taken a new twist.
Two organisations, the Civic Society and the Ludlow Town Centre Residents’ Association say they want the surgeries to remain in the town and not to move to the Eco Park by the A49 bypass.
But a meeting of the Ludlow Health Facility Forum last week, heard that a travel survey of nearly 1,000 patients carried out in 2009 in Ludlow showed that nearly two thirds of patients travelled to their appointment by car.
The surgeries have some 16,000 patients listed and, in public consultation last year, ample parking and easy access to public transport were both at the top of the list for people’s priorities.
Shropshire Primary Care Trust said ensuring good public transport to the new hospital site will be a priority.
The Trust claims bringing hospital and GPs together brings lots of benefits, including giving the GP practices room for many new services, and plenty of ‘on the level’ car parking.
Jo Chambers, chief executive of the PCT, said: “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for a new hospital, against an economic background where public funds for building projects are limited.
“We have the SHA’s backing in principle, and £2m towards the total £27m cost, but there are more stages to go before we can be sure of a new hospital.
“We want to work with local people to grasp this opportunity and, with community support, we can all help make it happen.”
The healthcare plans for south Shropshire will be discussed at Tuesday’s meeting of the Ludlow and Clee Hill Local Joint Committee at 7pm in the Harley Centre, Ludlow College.
Representatives from the Primary Care Trust and both doctors’ surgeries will talk about the major changes in healthcare provision proposed for the 34,000 people living in the South Shropshire area.
Further information will be provided at the meeting and there will be a question and answer session afterwards.
The LJC area covers Ashford Bowdler, Ashford Carbonell, Bitterley, Bromfield, Caynham, Greete, Hope Bagot, Ludford, Ludlow, Nash, Richards Castle and Whitton