MP's Commons demand over surgery delay

12.00.00am GMT Thu 7th Feb 2008

Continued delays in opening the new Bluebell Doctors' Surgery and Community Centre at Highwoods have been criticised in the House of Commons by Colchester MP Bob Russell.

During Health Questions, the town's Liberal Democrat MP told Mr Alan Johnson, the Secretary of State for Health, that the present surgery was in "dilapidated temporary premises that would disgrace a Third World country."

He added: "Alongside it, completed in August last year, is a purpose-built new surgery and community centre. Will the Secretary of State - this day - chase whoever is responsible to get that new facility open, as it has been standing shut for the past six months?"

Praising Mr Russell - whom he described as "a fine constituency MP" - Mr Johnson said: "I shall find out what is happening, and I shall let him know the result."

Afterwards Mr Russell said that it was unacceptable that delays in the opening of the new premises had dragged on for so long. He had previously raised the matter at Parliamentary level and locally. He remained dismayed that collectively there had not been a resolution by all those involved to ensure that the new surgery and community centre could open. He was grateful that the Secretary of State had promised to take a personal interest in the matter.

"Whatever the reasons, perceived or otherwise, it should not have taken six months to get this new much-needed community facility up and running for the benefit of local residents. Six months is a long time to change sink taps and other matters which it is claimed needed attending to.

"The temporary accommodation housing the Bluebell Surgery and pre-school has been used for more than eight years. It is well past its sell-by date. Indeed, the extended temporary planning permission expires at the end of March - by which time I hope the new premises are in use."