Change of plan for Health and Wellbeing Centre in Bromley Town

After years of promises and plans and consultation about a new Health and Wellbeing Centre in Bromley Town Centre, at the last minute the Conservative administration have abandoned all the plans discussed with local residents and representatives and instead delivered a controversial decision to move the centre into the Council's new HQ building.

We've reported several times on the plan to repurpose the Adventure Kingdom building outside the Civic Centre into a Health and Wellbeing Centre (HWBC) which the over-subscribed Dysart surgery could then move into. This was a plan we supported. The costs were covered by the ICB (Integrated Care Board) so was cost-neutral for Bromley Council.

However, at the last minute, the Conservative administration has decided to abandon these plans. Instead they will locate the HWBC in the Direct Line building ("Churchill Court") when Council offices are moved there next year - magically solving part of the Council's problem of finding tenants for the 50% of the building they don't need.

We have major concerns - and we're frankly furious about the lack of consultation - but as we've only just found out we are urgently seeking further clarification. Our instincts tell us the decision is likely to be based more on the money the Council can extract for rent and rates than about convenience for patients and residents. However, it is possible this location could be more suitable for existing Dysart patients, but we need reassurance about accessibility and clear separation from Council offices. Let us know your views. We'll update you when we know more.