Locating public services in Farnworth

Healthwatch Bolton undertook research on people's views about the location of health and public services in Farnworth. They spoke to 59 people across five community venues in December 2016 as part of a wider project exploring proposals for neighbourhood health hubs and the future use of public buildings.

Participants identified practical location, having services "all under one roof", good public transport links, parking and accessibility as the most important factors when considering where services should be located. Many supported bringing services together in a single location to make access easier and improve convenience, although some were concerned that changes could be driven by cost savings rather than improving care quality. People also emphasised the importance of privacy, dignity, confidentiality and comfortable waiting areas.

The majority of respondents favoured a town centre location in Farnworth, with sites near the bus station, Asda and Queen Street College attracting support. Good bus routes and adequate parking, particularly disabled parking, were repeatedly highlighted as essential. Accessibility was a significant issue for some people, with respondents describing difficulties accessing existing buildings and stressing that any future facilities should be fully accessible to people with mobility impairments.

The report found mixed views on whether services should be housed in existing buildings or a purpose-built facility. Many respondents said the type of building mattered less than ensuring it was large enough, accessible, easy to reach and capable of providing high-quality services. Overall, people wanted any future development to improve convenience, accessibility and coordination of services while maintaining privacy and quality of care.