Build Sandwell health centres 'or land will be sold' say councillors
Council chiefs in Sandwell are calling on NHS England to build the three health centres they had promised – or face losing the land earmarked for the schemes.
Sandwell Primary Care Trust had promised to build new health centres in Wednesbury, Great Bridge and in Langley, and the council had spent thousands clearing the land for the projects.
But when the Government abolished the PCTs the project was put on hold and the land left empty.
Now, cash-strapped Sandwell Council chiefs have written to NHS England demanding they either build the centres, or the land will be sold.
The multi-million-pound scheme was expected to see a £9 million Wednesbury health centre, a £5.6m super surgery in Oldbury and a £5m centre in Great Bridge built.
The health centre in High Bullen, Wednesbury, was due to open in 2014, with GP services, consultation and treatment rooms, a pharmacy and 136 staff – some transferred from Mallings Health, Spires, and the nearby Mesty Croft clinic.
The Langley Rood End Primary Care Centre, at Crosswells Road and Bloxcidge Street, would have had five GP surgeries, a minor procedures room, pharmacy, community respiratory service and sexual health clinics.
And the complex at High Street, Great Bridge, was expected to have two GP surgeries extra community services and outpatient facilities for minor treatments.
Council chiefs spent hundreds of thousands of pounds clearing the sites, closing car parks and moving staff out of council buildings to make way for the developments.
They were already embarking on a tendering process in 2012 when it was announced the PCTs were going to go. The scheme was then put in jeopardy.
Jobs and economy boss Councillor Ian Jones said the sites have been clear for for around two years, and there is still no news as to whether the much-needed centres will be built.
He said: "Clearing these sites for development was controversial at the time, and it cost us a great deal of money.
"These are prime locations, and worth millions of pounds.
"If the centres aren't going to be built we could dispose of the land.
"We have written to NHS England asking them to make a decision on the plans. We have just been left in limbo."
He added: "These health centres are badly needed, so we want them to be built but it has all just gone on too long."
