7.0 Social infrastructure
Health Services
Existing Provision
The locations of doctors and existing
hospitals within and outside the Borough are shown on Map 4.
Although there is a clustering of doctors in Cowplain large areas
in the Borough are without local provision. For example, provision
on Hayling Island is centralized in Mengham. The Hayling Wards
require three more
GP
s
for the current population.
The development of the Bosmere Medical Centre
in Havant and centralization in Emsworth on the Victoria Cottage
Hospital site could free up land for alternative development. The
first steps are underway for providing a new community hospital at
Oak Park in Havant. This proposal includes services for minor
injuries, outpatients and beds for patients before or after their
admission to an acute hospital setting. This community hospital
will complement the Havant Health Centre and neighbouring
specialist facilities which have recently opened.
Future Requirements
Evidence suggests that the West of
Waterlooville
MDA
will
cause a significant increase in demand for health facilities.
However, the new health centre which is currently proposed could
serve other developments if it is built large enough or is capable
of enlargement. This is clearly a justification for further large
greenfield developments since they could enable existing residents
to benefit from improved health service provision. Primary care
services will be required for significant urban extensions. This
potential needs to be addressed in Core Strategy policies for major
urban expansion.
The realization of development potential in
Leigh Park depends on substantial investment in the Primary Care
Estate. The diversification of the District Centre could provide an
opportunity for new provision at a central location. Expansion on
the northern and western edge of Leigh Park could justify local
health provision within an improved centre in Warren Park as part
of the Strouden Court redevelopment.
In the areas where the Core Strategy proposes
a substantial increase in dwellings on sites within the urban areas
and at greenfield locations- it is expected that the health service
provision could become overloaded. The Primary Care Trust has
indicated that the most significant challenges are in Leigh Park
and on Hayling Island. In these areas Section106 agreements would
be required to contribute to extending or providing new
practitioner surgeries if further development allocations are made.
This requirement needs to be addressed in a Core Strategy
policy.
The potential for sharing accommodation - for
example health centres and libraries – should also be addressed.
Heath centres have an increasing information giving, public
education role like libraries. As a result new centres could
regenerate local areas with good landmark buildings with the joint
use of car parks also being a possibility.
Map 4: Health Provision 2005
Community Buildings
Existing Provision
The Borough is well-served by community
buildings but there is a problem of over-provision since some
centres are not used as effectively as they might be. The centres
at Leigh Park, Wecock and Stakes suffer from low incomes due to
relative under use. Development would stimulate increased use
thereby helping to keep existing community centres open. However,
it is important to focus on the quality rather than quantity of
provision.
Future Requirements
It is important that development proposals
take account of the community facilities which already exist.
Therefore, new provision should be aimed at plugging gaps in the
community infrastructure or by funding the improvement of existing
centres. Alternatively, it might be appropriate to contribute to
the local community infrastructure by providing funding, for
example towards health centres.
In large developments there is likely to be a
requirement for facilities for the youth service. The Leigh Park
Strategic Framework (section 10.5), for example, has identified the
development of a youth café and recreational attractions for young
people. Such an initiative could be developed in other districts
where the evidence base and consultation for the Core Strategy
identify a local need because of a high percentage of young
people.