Row over fence gate at Longton Health Centre escalates with threats of police action

On Friday, a fence gate which for decades has linked the car park at the Health Centre to a small car park at the rear of Church Row Chambers - which includes Facer Pharmacy - was closed off.

This prompted dozens of comments from locals on social media - as well as in person to the Health Centre - some of which were said to be of a “bullying” nature and allegedly suggesting criminal damage. Many of the comments seen by the Post show that local people have been left confused by what prompted the decision, and concerns have been raised about vulnerable people being sent on a detour through a wooded path next to the library to reach the chemist.

“Unkind”

One person said: “This is a really bad decision. Patients using the surgery, then need easy access to the chemist. Why after all this time has this unkind decision been made? Not charitable and not community minded. I walk from Hutton and use this access point for the village. I don’t abuse the car park! Today I walked back through the woody path; here the path is green with moss, uneven and not for for purpose to people with mobility issues. Basically a disgraceful decision.

Another person said: “When someone suffered a heart attack at St Andrew’s this year the staff from the health centre were running between the church and the centre using that entrance, if it happened in future they would have to take the long way round. In emergencies seconds count.”

What did the Health Centre say?

The Health Centre has responded strongly, claiming the changes are in response to people abusing the car park, and they have told people with ‘genuine safety concerns’ to raise them with the local council.

A spokesman took to the official Facebook account to say: “Thank you for all comments and opinions shared on several community posts regarding Friday's fence reinstatement! For years NHS Property Services have kindly shared their car park (without grumble) with other local businesses, nearby residents, people dropping the car off and getting on the bus for a day out, etc.This has increasingly becoming more of a problem as this has limited car parking spaces, coupled with ongoing antisocial behaviour after hours in the car park.

“Following a grounds review NHS Property Services have installed a security barrier which is in use outside of core practice hours, on Friday NHS Property Services reinstated missing fencing which has provided a make shift access point from the back of the shops through to the car park of recent years in a bid to help manage these ongoing concerns.

“Whilst frustrations of the inconvenience of having to walk around to access the Health Centre are completely understood - our teams also will be adding to their daily step counts - we would encourage anyone who has genuine safety concerns re accessing the public footpaths round and about other local businesses and lighting around the woodland footpaths to contact the local councils as we have also done!”

“Bullying and harrassment”

They added: “Please can I also just ask that for those members of the community who feel comfortable making disparaging comments about both NHS Property Service employees or our own practice staff members that you do take some time over the festive period to reflect on words written and how our teams have been spoken to. Unkind words, threats and slander are a form of bullying and harassment anywhere and at any time whether in the workplace or not, regardless of how frustrated people are about the fence panel, and whilst our teams are here to provide local NHS services, abuse will not be tolerated at any level.

“There have been a number of threats made to staff regarding criminal damage and names will be forwarded to the police where necessary. For the rest of the community and patients and local businesses that the fence reinstatement has inconvenienced we understand, however the inconsiderate and anti social behaviour of the few affects us all.”