WARRINGTON’S clinical commissioners have been told plans to build a surgery on Omega would be a ‘total waste’ of money.

Concerns have been raised by Cllr Dan Price (IND – Great Sankey North and Whittle Hall) following an exchange between him and Dr Andrew Davies, clinical chief officer of Warrington CCG, about doctors in west Warrington during the health scrutiny committee meeting on June 13.

Parkview Medical Centre was previously located on Barrow Hall Lane before it moved to Orford Hub.

Cllr Price said: “The doctors moved to Orford Hub many years ago when they didn’t renew their lease at Barrow Hall Lane.

“However, it was always seen as short term until they moved to the now completed Sankey Hub.

“When I asked Warrington CCG’s chief executive when they will be moved back, I was told about plans to build a new surgery on the Omega development, while he admitted the Sankey Hub already has the space and facilities. This simply doesn’t stack up.

“The CCG’s plans would be a total waste of vital public money and years too late.”

Cllr Price also believes residents in his ward have been without their surgery for ‘too long’ and says the CCG needs to ‘stop the excuses’.

He added: “They need to insist the surgery is moved to Sankey Hub – in the area where the patients live, and they need to do this now.”

The CCG has issued a statement in response to Cllr Price’s comments.

A spokesman said: “In terms of primary care provision in west Warrington, NHS Warrington CCG is currently liaising with the developer of Omega regarding a new primary care facility on the Omega site in line with the provisions made as part of the section 106 agreement for the development.

“In terms of the Great Sankey Hub, it includes purpose built clinical and office space for integrated community teams in line with the ambitions of Warrington Together.

“There has been some delay in putting the services in place due to a complexity of the lease arrangements with Warrington Borough Council.

“As soon as we receive confirmation that we are able to move health services in the facility we will progress this as planned.”