Walsall doctors' surgery saved from closure

An under-threat doctors' surgery which serves more than 3,000 people in Walsall has been saved after a hard-fought campaign by patients.

Abbey Square doctors' surgery, which is situated in Mossley, Bloxwich, will remain open while health chiefs look for someone to take over the practice.

The decision by NHS Walsall follows a long and dedicated fight to save it, and has been hailed as a victory for people power.

Since it emerged the surgery was facing closure last December because its owners were retiring, more than 900 people signed a petition to save it, with hundreds more attending public meetings and protests.

Yesterday, around 100 patients attended a meeting at Bloxwich Leisure Centre where the board of directors at NHS Walsall announced they would keep the surgery open and put its provision of care through a procurement process.

It means surgeries in Walsall can put forward their plans for providing care at the surgery and the one with the best offer will take over.

Last week it was proposed the practice should be merged with All Saints surgery, in Field Road, but patients objected — fearing it would become a "second-rate surgery".

NHS Walsall chief executive Denise McLellan said: "Having listened carefully to local people, we know what they want above all is to keep their local GP service.

"However, we have also been told very clearly that many people would also like other local GP practices to be offered a chance to provide that service, rather than simply merging with All Saints."

She warned there was still a chance the surgery could close if no care providers came forward during the procurement process.

The campaign has also been backed by Walsall North MP David Winnick. He said today: "This is undoubtedly a victory for the residents."