Doctors selected for new surgery

Three Wolverhampton doctors were today named as the GPs who will spearhead a long-awaited new surgery in South Staffordshire.

Kevin Barry, Paul Hickman and Claire Libberton, who are based in Blackhalve Lane, The Scotlands, will take over the new practice in Hobnock Road, Essington.

The news comes after a four-year campaign by villagers to re-instate their surgery after a previous GP left.

Confirming that the contract had been awarded, Essington councillor David Clifft said today: "This is a popular decision among residents. For me personally, it has been a long, four-year battle."

Drs Barry, Hickman and Libberton will operate the two surgeries full-time. About 500 Essington patients are already on the books of their Wolverhampton practice.

Five practices were in the running to take over the £200,000 surgery in Essington, which should be open by November. The decision was made by South Staffordshire Primary Care Trust.