Clinic on the cards; Addict centre planned.

Byline: By MARIE LEVY

A NEW clinic for drug addicts could be built in the Redcar area as part of plans to improve GP services, local doctors revealed today.

Redcar and Cleveland Primary Care Trust has secured funding for a new health centre in Eston and three GP practices in Eston, East Cleveland and Redcar.

Proposals suggest one of the new practices could offer specialised treatment for drug addicts but no final decisions have been made.

Doctors in the area believe the drug services will be based in either The Ings or Dormanstown - the two sites earmarked for Redcar's new practice.

Dr Mike Milner of Saltburn urged people to attend consultation meetings to find out what the PCT is planning.

In a letter to the Gazette he warned: "Patients living on The Ings in Redcar may wish to know that the proposal is to establish a practice to treat drug addicts in their area."

Residents have already expressed concerns about the possibility.

Caroline McCabe, 22, of Whiteoaks Close, said: "We live in a nice area. We don't want people coming in and spoiling it."

Sean Kilvington, 37, of Hauxley Close, said: "With little kids around, you have got a concern if things are left lying around. I am not against the idea of a drugs clinic, it is just whether it is in a residential area."

At the Ings Farm Primary School, mothers told the Gazette what they thought of the proposals.

Mother-of-two Nichola Porrett, 34, expressed concerned when she arrived to pick up Molly, nine and Thomas, five.

"I understand that there is a need for the clinic, because they have one near where I work but I just hope they make sure that a needle exchange is run properly, and needles aren't just dropped on the ground," said the administrative assistant from Kirkleatham Lane.

Housewife Lisa Westwick said: "I don't think it's a good idea near a primary school, especially if they have one of those needle exchanges too."

The 38-year-old chose to buy a house in the Ings because the schools in the area have a good reputation. She said: "I wouldn't change their schools if the clinic was built, but I would have to keep even more of an eye out for them."

Dr John Canning, secretary of the Cleveland Local Medical Committee, said it is not yet known where the service would be based.

"Similar services have been very successful in Middlesbrough and I think these sort of practices do work well.

"My guess would be that it might be located in Redcar but more at the Dormanstown end than the Ings."

A spokesman for the PCT said: "It is important to note that no decisions have been made.

"The decisions on locations and services will be taken by the Board of Redcar and Cleveland PCT in August, after all the comments have been taken into account.

"The Trust is aware that there is a lot of misleading information being provided with regard to these proposals and would urge people to take part in this consultation."

For more information visit www.gphc-tees.org.uk or call 0800 013 0500.

PCT documents outlining service requirements for the new practices state drug addiction services are required at The Ings/Dormanstown service but not at the East Cleveland and Eston practices which is why doctors are convinced the addiction service will be set up in Redcar.

When and where to go

The remaining public meeting dates are: Today: Coatham Memorial Hall, Coatham Road, Redcar (opposite library), 6pm.

July 3: Aspen Gardens, Waldridge Road, Hardwick, 2pm.

July 8: Guisborough Parish Hall, Bow Street, 6pm.

July 17: Langdon Community Centre, Coulby Newham, 1.30pm.

July 18: West View Community Centre, Miers Avenue, Hartlepool, 10am.

July 31: Freebrough Specialist Engineering College, Linden Road, Brotton, 6pm.

CAPTION(S):

CONCERNS: Caroline McCabe, above; Sean Kilvington, right; NEEDLE WORRY: Mum Nichola Porrett with daughter Molly and son Thomas, left, and The Ings estate at Redcar Pictures by PETER BENN