NHS reacts to open day criticism

Nye Bevan House

NHS Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale has reacted to criticisms for hosting its public open day on a working weekday.

Last week Rochdale Online reported how Councillor Angela Coric spoke of her “disappointment” that the open day, informing local people about local health services on Friday (16 January) was being held between 10.00am and 4.00pm, when most people would be at work.

But in response to the article, a spokeswoman from the NHS said: “The open day at Nye Bevan House was open to everyone, but the event on Friday was focused a little more on local school children.

“Two Rochdale schools took part in the educational event, which is why it was on a weekday”.

“If there are members of the public who would like to see Nye Bevan House and find out more about the services which are available, they are more than welcome to do so”.

Councillor Angela Coric previously said: “It is important for local people to have the chance to go to this meeting and it has been set up in a way where a lot of people won’t be able to make it.
“I for one am upset about the organisation of the whole event”.

Nye Bevan House was officially opened in September last year by Secretary of State for Health Alan Johnson MP.

The £10million development on Maclure Road houses four GP practices and four dental suites as well as a wide range of services, including some which only used to be available at hospital.