MP launches petition to revive redevelopment of Purley hospital
by Aline Nassif
aline.nassif@essnmedia.co.uk
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CALL FOR ACTION: MP Richard Ottaway has launched an online petition to push for the redevelopment of Purley Hospital
Richard Ottaway has launched an online petition to fight the Government's "broken promise" to redevelop Purley hospital.
The Croydon South MP has taken action out of "sheer frustration" at the eight-year delay in building a new health centre.
He says the constant delays are impacting on his constituents' health as they have to make long and difficult trips to Mayday Hospital in the north of the borough.
Mr Ottaway added: "I've set up this e-petition out of sheer frustration and on behalf of my constituents who feel the same way.
"A pledge was given to me in 2001 in the House of Commons by the then Secretary of State for Health that Purley hospital would get a 'first class out-patient and diagnostic centre' to serve residents.
"That pledge is now eight years old, the detailed plans are woefully out of date and there is no sign whatsoever of any development beginning.
"And the demand for the modern clinic and facilities hasn't gone away – in fact it has increased considerably with every passing year but nothing has been done."
Mr Ottaway says he started the petition to "highlight that there is a broken promise here which the government ought to be honouring."
The original plan to redevelop the site involved building shops and flats as well as a new health centre.
But this fell through around 18 months ago as the private finance developers were unable to find an "anchor tenant".
Mr Ottaway suggested in September that Mayday Healthcare NHS Trust buy the freehold for the site from the developer to avoid further delays but the Trust chief said they didn't have the budget for it.
To sign the petition log on to www.richardottaway.com/petitions.asp
10 Comments
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by Auto, Greater Croydon
Sunday, December 20 2009, 3:29PM
“SV - yes, Labour built them - and we'll be paying for them for twenty years to come under the Private Finance Initiatives, which kept the cost off the balance sheet in the short term, but loaded future generations with the bills.
This PFI fiddle is not costing as much as the unfunded Public Sector Pensions that Labour has promised taxpayers will pay - some £1,500,000 million - but still several hundred billions.
And we're all having to pay this - or pain of prison if we don't . . .
Well done Gordon! You've destroyed the country - was that your aim?”
by SV, Croydon
Friday, December 18 2009, 10:40PM
“His local Hospital?
I think East Surrey is closest to his taxpayer paid for home in Bletchingly.
It is amazing that with a few months to go this man now cares about Hospital services for Croydon residents.
He could hand back the thousands he has 'claimed' off of ordinary tax payers and allocate it to this Hospital re build.
It is also a joke to think that a Tory Government would ever fnd a new Hospital in Purley! Whatever you think of the Labour government, it has built loads of new hospitals and schools. Even a new block at Mayday (Millennium wing/day surgey unit).”
by RobinHood, Sherwood
Friday, December 18 2009, 10:03PM
“Why not extend the petition to cover ALL of the Governments broken promises........
And why does Ottaway never join in the comments here?”
by Mr.Angry, Purley
Friday, December 18 2009, 10:34AM
“8 years on:
My word is not exactly my bond.”
by Tom, Local
Friday, December 18 2009, 8:02AM
“An online petition? Wow! This guy is really pulling out all the stops! Time to get radical, just before the election.”