North East Herts MP Oliver Heald has been working closely with County Councillors Fiona Hill and Tony Hunter, to ensure that Royston receives the best possible healthcare facilities for the future. Oliver has now received assurances from the CATCH that the existing range of services will be maintained in Royston and that there will be active participation by a patient group which will give patients the opportunity to input into the commissioning of services. County Councillors Fiona Hill and Tony Hunter are scheduled to meet NHS Hertfordshire and CATCH on Friday 1 February next, to discuss the details.
Oliver has previously raised the question of whether extra diabetic services can be provided and Dr Linehan, Chair of CATCH, has described this as “interesting and timely” and confirmed that CATCH have started a new project to review service provision for people with diabetes.
Meanwhile, Jane Halpin of NHS Hertfordshire has confirmed that the project to expand Royston Health Centre is to go ahead with works on site to begin in April. The Chief Executive of the PCT has stated that the works will be more extensive than previously planned, with the ground floor being refurbished to include new clinical space and an improved reception area costing £ 256,000, and that the extension on the first floor will be more extensive costing £ 1.35 million, rather than the previously estimated £ 800,000.
Commenting, Oliver Heald said, “It is good to know that the possibility of diabetic services in Royston being improved is being considered and I was also pleased to learn that the PCT is investing an additional £750,000 in the Melbourn Street site in addition to the £ 800,000 previously mentioned.
“I am glad that the NHS is engaging with local people to try to ensure that Royston has all the facilities it needs for the future.”