GRAND plans for the new Hornsey Central Hospital have finally been unveiled. Haringey s PCT put forward its latest proposals for the Park Road site at a special public meeting. The £12.8million building will include a pharmacy, GP services, a diagnostic u

GRAND plans for the new Hornsey Central Hospital have finally been unveiled.

Haringey's PCT put forward its latest proposals for the Park Road site at a special public meeting.

The £12.8million building will include a pharmacy, GP services, a diagnostic unit and room for alternative therapies.

At 4,500 square metres it will be one of the largest community hospitals in the country.

Tracey Baldwin, chief executive of the PCT, said: "We are looking at healthcare for the future. At the moment if you need to see a specialist GP you get sent to hospital. This centre would enable patients to see someone in the same building. It's one of the most exciting developments in London."

The PCT also announced that two new sites have been found for the relocation of health services currently provided at the Fortis Green clinic.

Richard Sumray, chairman of the PCT, said: "One of the things the board members were concerned about was to ensure services would be provided as locally as could possibly be. It wasn't a question of cutting services it was a question of moving them.

"We have managed to find locations for everything being offered at Fortis Green and the services will all remain in the Muswell Hill area."

Existing health centres on Pages Lane and Colney Hatch Lane will both be used for the next 18 months, when the PCT will decide whether or not to relocate them to the new Hornsey Central Hospital building.

The Lib Dems secured a promise from Mr Sumray that residents would be fully consulted about that proposal before any services were moved.

Ward councillor Matt Davies said: "It is highly regrettable that the PCT did not consult more widely and for a longer time on this issue. But at least local alternatives have been found.

"We now have assurances that local health services will definitely not be moved from Fortis Green and Muswell Hill without a proper consultation and will not automatically transfer to Hornsey."

But local campaigners remained critical of the plans. Susie Secher, from the Save Hornsey Hospital campaign, said: "I would be the happiest person on earth if the hospital delivered what the people of Haringey need and want. But I just don't think it will.

"This is just a precursor to the closing down of more services and it's not helping anybody."

marijke.peters@hamhigh.co.uk