Health plans for Sidmouth: feedback

Following on from the Sid Valley Practice's formal announcement of their plans:
£1.8m health centre for Sid Valley ‘will open in 2015’ - News - Sidmouth Herald
Futures Forum: Health plans for Sidmouth: Stowford Lodge Health Centre - Blackmore Health Centre - new surgery pharmacy
there has been further feedback sent to the Futures Forum. 
Here is the latest, but do forward more views:

Replacing the old Stowford Lodge:

There are fears that, in the context of concerns about provision for sufferers of dementia, the existing facility at Stowford Lodge was in fact meant for such a service.

The proposed Health Centre at Stowford Lodge:

There are fears that:

- this new practice will render the surgery at the centre of Sidford redundant;

- local residents and Waitrose workers will use the car park.

There is the perception that:

- pedestrian and cycle access from Core Hill and Woolbrook Road is poor;

- the priority is to minimise cost, whereas ‘a bit of creativity’ could make use of the natural light and environment of Sidmouth.

There have been objections to the design:

- ‘1960s ugliness’;

- the new GP surgery in Lyme Regis offers an alternative, modern design;

- it could be re-orientated for solar gain and better southern views;

- any changes to the design on paper at this stage are far cheaper than later modifications; alterations to drawings will not affect planning decisions or require a further application.

The proposed independent pharmacy at Stowford Lodge:

“For”:

- it would reduce the need to drive to a pharmacy;

- the current pharmacy at Sidford could become part of the proposed pharmacy, or its staff could be employed there.

“Against”:

- the pharmacy would threaten Sidford High Street with the possible closure of Lloyds;

- the design of the proposed pharmacy is not attractive;

- it is not clear where the income generated from the proposed pharmacy would go;

The licencing board which turned down the application needs to be asked why it did so.

The Patients Participation Panel:

This needs to have more representation from across the community who would help hold the health system to account.

See also: Futures Forum: Stowford Lodge Health Centre: the views
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