Holbeach Parish Council encouraged to speak to health centre owners to look at expansion

Parish councillors have been encouraged to speak to surgery bosses in order to look at ways to extend a busy medical practice now that plans for a health hub have been shelved.

South Holland District Council leader Nick Worth was previously told that the Lincolnshire Integrated Care Board is not going to pursue plans to work with the authority to create a Holbeach Health Hub as it id not present ‘value for money’.

Speaking at a recent district council meeting, Holbeach member Sophie Hutchinson said: “I was disappointed that the Holbeach Hub won’t be going ahead.

“The ICB says it is not viable for a split site. We have an option for the existing site but they would need more land.”

She asked Coun Worth to commit to investigate uses for the council owned land around the surgery.

But Coun Worth said that the landowner is Holbeach Parish Council and suggested that the two parties have a chat.

He said: “I have no problem with that as it makes sense. It’s probably a feasible option.”

Holbeach has just two surgeries and is a growing town with more than 900 homes being earmarked on one development alone.

A spokesman for the ICB said: “The ICB worked in partnership with SHDC and the Holbeach Medical Centre to consider development opportunities for general practice services.

“Holbeach Medical Centre, as an independent business, have confirmed they wish to remain at their current site which makes some development opportunities unviable.

“We will continue to work with local practices and the district councils to support opportunities for the development of primary care services. The ICB continues to work with both GP practices in Holbeach to develop their practice premises, including via section 106 funding.”