Patients group concerned over parking at new Dudley hospital centre

Dudley Clinical Commissioning Group – CCG – intends to close the walk-in centre at Holly Hall Clinic, in Stourbridge Road, and move services to the new unit at the hospital.

The plan looks set to go ahead after Paul Maubach, chief officer at the CCG, told the council's health scrutiny committee that he was recommending it goes ahead following a consultation.

The new centre would work alongside the accident and emergency department and would be available 24 hours, seven days a week for patients to walk in or make appointments.

At the council meeting last week, councillors raised concerns over the plan – Councillor Bryan Cotterill said it was against the patients' wishes. But today, Healthwatch Dudley, a group representing patients, said the proposal would 'improve' the service.

Chairman Pam Bradbury said: "We feel the service will be improved by the proposed increased opening hours and appointment booking system but we do have a concern regarding the insufficient parking facilities at the hospital.

"We appreciate this issue needs to be balanced with improved access to a high quality clinical service.

"We will be listening carefully to patient voices and experiences to ensure the service specification for the new walk-in centre meets the needs of local people."

Dudley CCG has a £1.4 million contract with healthcare firm Primecare to run the centre. It was due to run out in April but has now been extended to September while plans for the future of the service are drawn up.

The group carried out an independent patient survey of people attending the accident and emergency department at Russells Hall Hospital and at the walk-in centre.

The CCG is now working on a more detailed plan to bring back before councillors. The walk-in centre contract ends in September.

Officers and GPs will be sharing the results of the consultation at a healthcare forum meeting on February 13.

It will run from 5.30pm until 7.30pm at Brierley Hill Civic Hall.