Russells Hall Hospital move for Dudley walk-in centre

Paul Maubach, Dudley Clinical Commissioning Group's chief officer, said it was the board's preferred option for the borough after a public consultation.

But the news angered some councillors who said the move goes against the wishes of patients, while some fear it will put extra pressure on the hospital.

Speaking to members of Dudley Council's health scrutiny committee, Mr Maubach said the new centre would be work alongside the accident and emergency department and be available 24 hours, seven days a week for patients to walk in or make appointments.

He also said the move would help to reduce pressure on A&E as the centre could be used by the thousands of non-urgent patients who currently turn up at the department.

"There was a strong message from the public that they like having a walk-in centre so we need to keep a walk-in centre facility.

"But we are recommending the walk-in should be part of the new urgent care centre. What we want to do is to enhance that we have.

"We have the opportunity to create a 24/7 walk-in centre," he said.

But Councillor Bryan Cotterill said he believed the proposals are not what what patients wanted. He said: "There not been one person I've spoken to who has said they want the walk-in centre at Russells Hall."

More than 3,000 people responded to the consultation to give their views on the plans.

And hundreds of people signed a petition calling for the centre to remain open.