[Tealeaf]

I doubt if this is HBC'c fault; these are LIFT scheme buildings under the auspices of the Hyndburn and Ribble Valley PCT. I suppose that HBC could have knocked back the buildings on the basis they were not compatible with the immeadiate area or that the structures themselves lacked architectural merit. To have done so would have seriously disrupted both the budget and process of the PCT and would no doubt have led to serious criticism of the council by interests within the local health sector.

What is interesting is that nationally, these may be among the last of the LIFT schemes; like the major PFI hospital projects, managers within the NHS are finally doing their sums and realising the long term expense (involving unitary payments over 25 years or so) of these developments; indeed, at the primary level the latest thinking appears to be that we need to get fat-cat GPs out of their expensive 9 to 5 surgeries and back into the communities where they belong. One line of thought is to get 'em set up in the supermarkets, so that when you're buying your fat burger, salt-laden pizza and under sized microwaveable lamb shank in ASDA on a sunday afternoon, you can see your local Doc and get the blood pressure checked at check-out.