Date: 11/02/2009
You have an opportunity at the Central Area forum, this month, to have your say on health services in North Peak.
Four medical practices -- Goyt Valley Medical and Dental Practice (Whaley Bridge), Thornbrook Surgery (Chapel en le Frith), Arden House Medical Practice (Hayfield) and Sett Valley Medical Centre (New Mills) -- have formed a consortium called North Peak Healthcare.
The consortium, as part of Derbyshire County Primary Care Trust's Care Outside of Hospital project, is investigating the provision of a major new health facility within the central area to provide additional quality health services.
This project will be under discussion at the Central Area Forum on Thursday, February 26, 2009, at the Women's Institute, Lower Lane, Chinley.
Local general practitioners, councillors and officers will be available, from 6.30pm, to chat with members of the public about the proposal, which has been discussed in joint meetings between the Primary Care Trust (PCT), Derbyshire County Council and High Peak Borough Council.
The plans aim to reduce unnecessary travelling to hospitals and enable early discharges, with the provision of accessible health services for local NHS patients and those living in surrounding areas.
The four GP practices have already set up local rheumatology and dermatology clinics, which means fewer patients have needed to travel up to 25 miles for these services.
North Peak Healthcare is also responsible for the new urgent care facilities currently provided in New Mills, which have been open since October 2007. This walk-in centre provides minor injury and minor illness advice every weekday evening from 6pm to 10pm, and 9am to 11pm at weekends.
Central Area Forum Chairman, Councillor David Lomax, said: "This exciting project is at the initial planning stage, so the public forum meeting is a real opportunity for local people to influence its development."
For more information about the Forum, call Lesley Stevens at High Peak Borough Council on 0845 129 7777 extension 2057, or email customer-services@highpeak.gov.uk -- more information about our area forums can be found at www.highpeak.gov.uk/neighbourhood/areaforums/