RESIDENTS and councillors have been celebrating the success of a campaign that is set to see GP services returning to Pensnett.
There was widespread anger and disappointment after High Oak Surgery which was moved from its original Pensnett High Street location to the Brierley Hill Health and Social Care Centre in spring 2020.
The move was intended to free up the High Oak site for Covid testing during the pandemic but in October 2022 health chiefs said the old portacabin surgery was “nearing the end of its economic life” and that the site had been earmarked for possible future development for housing.
They said the only options would be to keep the service at Brierley Hill Health and Social Care Centre or to use the health and social care centre as a hub for the surgery with community outreach services also provided in Pensnett at places such as community centres.
However, at Dudley Council’s Health and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Committee meeting on Tuesday January 10 it was confirmed that Dudley Integrated Health Care intends to return GP services to Pensnett.
The announcement follows a campaign by residents and councillors to bring back GPs to the area.
Councillor Sue Greenaway said: “As a resident and representative of Brockmoor and Pensnett ward, I am delighted that our much-needed GP services will be returning to the ward, and the further work to be done to ensure the future provision of healthcare within the ward.
“Our residents have rightly stood with us and stated clearly we deserve better, and they have finally been listened to!”
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Councillor Rebbekah Collins, who is also lives in the ward, said: “For too long the good people of Brockmoor and Pensnett have been forgotten by crucial services, and the health inequalities in the data from our council’s public health department clearly evidences this fact.”
She added that there’s still work to be done and details to be confirmed but she added: “Credit goes to our residents who have fought and assisted us to get this excellent result.”
Dudley South MP Mike Wood also welcomed the news but called for a long-term plan to be developed to create an up-to-date base for GPs in Pensnett.
He said: “It’s a huge relief that local health authorities have heard the arguments being made so strongly by local patients, councillors and myself, and that people in Pensnett will finally have their GP surgery back.
“While the move back to the prefab building on High Oak is a huge step forward, there clearly needs to be a longer-term plan for a new, up-to-date and permanent base for the surgery in Pensnett.
“I am pleased Dudley Integrated Health and Care NHS Trust and the Integrated Care Board will now be working with Bash from the local pharmacy to explore his proposals, and I look forward to working with them to make sure these plans are right for the local community.”
Neill Bucktin, Dudley managing director for Black Country Integrated Care Board, said: “We are pleased that Dudley Integrated Health and Care NHS Trust (DIHC), the service provider, has sought the views of the public on the future location of High Oak Surgery.
"We look forward to receiving a full proposal from DIHC on how services will be provided to High Oak patients.
"Any proposal will be considered by the Primary Care Sub Committee before a final decision is made."
A spokesperson for Dudley Integrated Health and Care NHS Trust added: "At our February Board meeting we will be considering the outcome of our public conversation regarding High Oak Surgery.
"We are able to confirm in the meantime that after listening to the views of the community and considering all information received, Dudley Integrated Health and Care NHS Trust are seeking to provide a GP presence back in Pensnett by the end of February 2023.
"The location and level of service that we are able to provide is currently being scoped.
"Services from Brierley Hill Health and Social Care Centre will continue as normal."
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