New medical centre opens its doors

A £1 million medical centre in South Staffordshire will open its doors for the first time this week.

Patients in Essington will have the opportunity to look around the doctor's surgery and mini-clinic at two viewing days.

It is the first time the village will have had a dedicated GP surgery in five years. It is hoped the centre, which has been built into the same complex as the village's parish council office in Hobnock Road, will be launched in early June. The mini-clinic has nearly doubled in size from original plans.

David Clifft, South Staffordshire councillor and chairman of Essington Parish Council, who spearheaded a campaign to re-instate the surgery, said today: "Over 3,000 residents have already expressed an interest to join the medical centre.

"Now they will need to register to join the patient list at the centre and will be able to do so on the two open days." He added that no Essington resident would be refused a place on the list.

The mini-clinic will eventually include an on-site pharmacy after a planning application was approved in January.

Patients have had to travel to Walsall for GP care since the previous surgery in Essington shut in 2005.

The project has been funded by Essington Parish Council and South Staffordshire Primary Care Trust.

Wolverhampton-based practice Dr Barry and Partners has been chosen to take over the surgery. The centre will open its doors on Wednesday from 2 to 7pm and Saturday from 10am to 2pm. Call 07930 394399.