Storm over 18 GPs for one site in Saltley
HEALTH bosses came under fire today for spending vital funds for “under-doctored” areas on a new five-GP clinic in a health centre’s car park.
Birmingham East and North Primary Care Trust plans a temporary clinic and urgent care centre in the shadow of Saltley Health Centre, which already has 13 family doctors.
Neelu Jaswal and Jackie Dockery, practice managers at Saltley Health Centre, in Cradock Road, said 200 people had already signed a petition objecting to the plans.
“Patients feel these plans for yet another GP practice in the car park, on top of the 13 doctors here, will worsen the already awful congestion,” said Ms Jaswal.
“We have been told a permanent building will be completed in 2010, but huge developments are notorious for running behind schedule.
“We have had situations when ambulances had problems getting through. It seems like a desperate measure.”
Coun Deirdre Alden, who is objecting along with Coun Tariq Khan, said: “It beggars belief that the PCT is considering siting a new GP practice, specifically intended for an under-doctored area, in the car park of a building where 13 GPs are already practising.”
Anna Shaw, spokeswoman for the trust, said a number of options for interim services were explored, but the existing health centre site was the best option.
“The PCT is aware of concerns and will ensure the issue of car parking will be taken into consideration by creating additional spaces.
“We have had no reported incidences of ambulances not being able to access the existing health centre.”
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