Protests against wait for GP surgery
Health chiefs have been accused of dragging their feet over calls for a new GP surgery and clinic.
Health chiefs have been accused of dragging their feet over calls for a new GP surgery and clinic.
Labour and the Liberal Democrats united to call on Sandwell Primary Care Trust (PCT) to back a GP-led health centre at the Tanhouse Centre, Tanhouse Avenue.
They want it to offer services similar to those planned elsewhere in the borough.
West Bromwich East Labour MP Tom Watson and Councillor Joyce Underhill are leading the protests.
Mr Watson recalled that the last surgery in Hamstead Road closed a few years ago.
He said: "Everybody I have spoken to has said the Tanhouse Centre would be easy to get to. Local people have been waiting too long for GP services in their area.
"It's time for the health officials to pull their fingers out."
Councillor Underhill, who represents the area for the Liberal Democrats, said: "The primary care trust has not been proactive with this.
"While other areas are getting their health centres we are coming up against brick walls."
Sandwell PCT plans neighbourhood centres in Cradley Heath, Dudley Port and Hill Top, and town centres in Wednesbury and Smethwick.
Wednesbury's, next to the leisure centre on High Bullen, is expected to open in 2012.
They will offer foot care, physiotherapy, minor surgery, baby clinics, mental health services, pharmacies and information points.
Robert Bacon, Sandwell PCT chief executive, said: "There are currently four GP practices providing primary care services in Great Barr.
Sandwell PCT also has plans for the development of a Neighbourhood Health Centre in the Great Barr area.
These plans have been subject to wide consultation and this has included continuing discussion with the Great Barr and Newton Community Forum.
Mr Bacon said: "The Primary Care Trust plans to deliver a new health care facility in the area by the end of 2011.
"The real difficulty that we have faced is the location of a suitable site as these are at a premium in this area.
"Over the last two years they had looked at 12 sites, some proposed by the local community but these had been either unavailable or unsuitable."
