Reassurance that health centre still planned for Kirkholt

Residents have been reassured that there are still plans to provide a health centre for Kirkholt.

The news comes following a meeting between Kirkholt Councillors and NHS Heywood Middleton and Rochdale regarding the timescales and vision for the development.

The plans are not yet fully developed and it is likely to be six months before NHS HMR is in a more informed position regarding planning.

Councillor Pat Colclough, said: "The discussions were very constructive. We arranged the meeting because we wanted to establish what plans are in store from the PCT for the Kirkholt estate. This is because we still want to see a health/community facility built for the central Strand area in the future."

Councillor Dale Mulgrew added: "I was reassured that the PCT views the Kirkholt area as a critical part of their ongoing community health strategy and that they need to keep providing health services from within the estate."

Ian Butterworth, Associate Director of Estates and Facilities at NHS Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale, met with the councillors. He said: “We’re pleased we had the opportunity for discussions with the councillors so they could understand the latest developments for the Kirkholt area.

“The meeting was positive as we outlined that a health centre is still planned for Kirkholt, however we did want to make it clear that plans have not fully developed due to uncertainties around the planned regeneration of the estate by the local authority and the current situation regarding the NHS reorganisation.

“As soon as we’re clear about any further developments in this area, we’ll keep everyone updated.”