LEMINGTON MISSES OUT ON NEW MEDICAL CENTRE

3.08.00am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 11th Sep 2008

The new multi-million pound medical centre that will be built in Newcastle will not be located in Lemington. The centre will instead be built in the Blakelaw and Cowgate area, the NHS North of Tyne organisation said.

The two new GP practices, which were part of the scheme to improve health inequalities across Newcastle, will be established in Walker and Benwell & Scotswood.

The Lib Dems had campaigned for the new medical centre or one of the practices to be set up in Lemington. Instead a branch surgery, operated by local GPs, is expected to begin at the Lemington Centre later this year.

Councillor Liz Langfield says: "We are disappointed with the decision but we will continue to campaign for a purpose-built GP surgery in Lemington.

"Our campaign has been well supported by local people and it is interesting to note that the health charity Community Action on Health also proposed that the new medical centre or a GP surgery should be built in Lemington."