MPs dig deep for Deeplish and Alkrington

Paul Rowen MP

Paul Rowen and Jim Dobbin are expected to help “turn the first sod” on the building sites for two new health centres in Deeplish and Alkrington.

Both Health Centres are the first of up to 13 proposed purpose built Health and Social Care Centres that will provide local people with state of the art health facilities in the heart of their community.

Paul Rowen will be donning a hard hat and spade turning the first sod on the Deeplish site. This ceremony will in turn mark the beginning of a £9m Health and Social Care Centre with construction expected to be completed in September 2009.

Jim Dobbin will officially be marking the start of construction of a £1m project to replace the existing Alkrington Clinic.  The project is expected to be completed in May 2008.

Trevor Purt, Chief Executive of Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale PCT said: “Each centre will be unique and will provide services specifically designed to meet the needs of the public it serves. Deeplish is an integrated Health and Social Care Centre whilst Alkrington is a replacement for the existing clinic. There are also plans for a much larger purpose built health facility in Heywood Town Centre due for completion in 2009.”

Paul Rowen, MP for Rochdale said: “The Deeplish/Milkstone Health Centre is a visible sign of the regeneration that is happening in Rochdale.  It is an important 21st century health facility that is providing healthcare for the community – in the community.  I am delighted to be asked to turn the first sod both as MP for Rochdale and as former councillor of this area for the last 24 years.”

Jim Dobbin, MP for Heywood amp; Middleton said: “This project signals the beginning of ambitious plans for healthcare locally and I am delighted that building is starting and it is an honour to be asked to cut the turf. With plans being developed for purpose built One Stop Health and Social Care Centres in both Middleton and Heywood – which will be up and running over the next 3 to 5 years - there will be massive investment in the health of local people. 

Alkrington Clinic is a relatively small project to replace the old building, but the plans for the future are huge, much needed and will create centres to be proud of in the middle of both townships.”