PATIENTS being consulted over plans to move GP services into a city centre ‘super clinic’ have been told they would be charged for parking.

There is a vision to relocate four surgeries into one NHS centre at the former Delamere Street bus station site alongside social care services provided by Cheshire West and Chester Council.

The surgeries involved are the nearby Northgate Village Surgery and Northgate Medical Centres and, more controversially, The Elms and Hoole Road surgeries in Hoole which would be located away from where existing patients live.

And a newsletter from The Elms says patients would be charged if they drove into the centre which will have a 400-space underground car park, although West Cheshire Health Consortium says this has not been decided.

It reads: “The building with its central location will be ideal for patients who need to attend surgery or access services. There will be parking available – at a charge – and with being so near the centre of the city, access by public transport will be greatly improved for many people.

“All of the practices involved in the project currently suffer from a lack of space to expand service provision for patients and with the new building comes great opportunity for improved services and an increase in size.

“Some of the facilities will be shared between the practices, allowing us to offer services that we have been unable to previously, so this will greatly enhance the patient’s experience.”

Other services at the Integrated Care Centre have yet to be finalised but it is anticipated some services currently accessed at the Countess of Chester Hospital will be available. Patients may also be able to access community services such as podiatry, physiotherapy, dentistry and sexual health in the same building.