THERE has been some disappointing news regarding Camelford’s proposed health hub, writes Suzanne Cleave.

The project aims to replace the existing medical centre with a modern health and wellbeing hub, including GP services, as well as dental provision, podiatry and chiropody, and rooms for other services.

The project was granted £750,000 last year from NHS?England, and there was an agreement that Cornwall Council would also be committed to the project.

However, at the September 18 meeting of the town council, deputy mayor, Cllr Claire Hewlett gave a report on the recently-held Camelford Community Network Panel meeting, which was attended by Nigel Blackler, Cornwall Council corporate leadership team representative.

Mr Blackler informed attendees that regrettably there is currently no deliverable scheme or proposal to present for the Camelford Health Hub.

It was understood that this would be very disappointing for people to hear, however, work is ongoing to find a solution to the issues of GP provision, surgery facilities and the transport infrastructure.

Mr Blackler gave an assurance that available options are being considered to find one that can be promoted to secure the long-term future of GP services in Camelford. It was noted that the problem around GP recruitment, particularly in rural areas, is a national issue.

Cllr Hewlett told fellow councillors: “Cornwall Council supported it but in its current form it’s not viable.”

She proposed the council write to Cornwall Council expressing disappointment and dissatisfaction with the information flow.

Cllr Hewlett, in her role as chair of the network panel, has formally written to Cornwall Council, on behalf of network panel members, regarding the lack of progress with the health hub, and to express their ‘huge dissatisfaction with the length of time it has taken for this decision to be made, and its frustration with the lack of information available at the network panels’.

She said the panel felt that regular updates have not been forthcoming and that this update would not have happened without pressure from Camelford Network Panel members.

Cornwall Councillor for Camelford and town councillor, Rob Rotchell, has been involved with the health hub plans for 12 years and has been one of the driving forces behind the project.

He feels the network panel’s disappointment should be directed in other directions.

He told the Post: “It’s not a Cornwall Council project. The project is driven by NHS England and the Kernow Clinical Commissioning Group (KCCG), who are the funders of the service. Cornwall Council has offered assistance to the project in the shape of clerical support to the working group and various architectural/surveying and general property services.

“This was driven by myself in an attempt to fast track the project.”

He has replied to the network panel’s letter, stating: “It took NHS?England and the KCCG more than 18 months to provide a business case, which indicated that the project was not viable. This delay by the health partners also meant that the £750,000 grant from NHS England that the project team, led by myself, had secured, was lost.

“At no time was Cornwall Council involved in the delay and indeed responded to the business case in a very timely fashion.”

Cllr Rotchell suggested that the network panel redirect its frustration to NHS England and the KCCG and ask what the current plans are for the future of the Camelford Medical centre.

He added: “I have had several meetings with the chief executive of Cornwall Council, Kate Kennally, and I am assured that should a viable business case be produced, the council would look favourably on providing the capital for the project.”

Cllr Rotchell said he intends to press this project forward as much as he is able, and provide feedback to the network as it becomes available.

The December meeting of the network panel is set to focus on this issue, and an invitation has been sent to NHS England, the CCG, Cornwall Council property services, and Scott Mann, Conservative North Cornwall MP.

The next network panel meeting will be held at Camelford Hall on December 11. The meeting is open to the public.