Surgery causes division between Labour MPs

Oct 1 2007 by Liam Murphy, Liverpool Daily Post

TWO of Wirral’s Labour MPs are at loggerheads over plans for a “supersurgery”.

Wirral Primary Care Trust wants to locate a doctors’ surgery on the former Warrens Nursery site, in West Wirral.

Objectors have fought a sustained campaign against the scheme at Arrowe Country Park, focusing on its greenbelt location.

But earlier this summer, Wirral West MP Stephen Hesford stepped in to support those who want the new surgery, which will be a one- stop primary care centre with access from Thingwall Road East.

He highlighted the case of Sue Proudlove and her husband, Dave, who both suffer from cerebral palsy and are patients at Thingwall Surgery, but cannot gain access to the building.

They say the new purpose-built centre will allow them to receive treatment and maintain their dignity.

Mr Hesford said last night it had been a “tough political battle” to rally support for the surgery, but now most were behind the plans. He added: “I am very clear about where we are. There has been a lot of misinformation about this application but I believe it is in the best interests of everybody, and the PCT, doctors, and others will have satisfied the planning committee that this development must go ahead.

“In fact I think the development will help save the site, which at the moment runs the risk of be- coming a problem, derelict area.”

He added: “I am looking forward to my constituents having access, as they should, to brand new 21st-century medical facilities.”

But his political colleague from Wirral South, Ben Chapman, has put forward objections to the scheme on behalf of his constituents.

The site of the application is close to the border between the two Parliamentary constituencies, and Mr Chapman raised objections on behalf of the organisation, Wirral Wildlife.

Although the organisation said no serious objection could be raised if the mature trees on the site are retained, it does say there are “severe concerns on sustainability grounds, as it would increase car use” and suggests existing services should be upgraded instead.

Last night, Mr Chapman said Mr Hesford remained “the lead” over the issue because it is in his Wirral West constituency. Wirral PCT has spent more than 10 years assessing the potential of 22 sites for the new surgery, and says the most suitable to emerge is the former Warrens Nursery.

The planning application has been recommended for approval by council officers in a 22-page report, although it will require further approval from the Government Office North West if passed by the authority.

liammurphy