Call for public to help save Tettenhall doctor’s surgery

Members of the 'Save the Wood Road Surgery Campaign Group' are appealing for concerned residents to put their views forward at another meeting regarding the proposed closure of Tettenhall Medical Practice on Wood Road.

Plans to shut it were announced in May as it was revealed bosses wished to combine with its other practice on Lower Street.

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Disgruntled protestors quickly voiced their anger over the move, citing issues with travel to the surgery, and with struggles to book appointments.

A public meeting was held in July, chaired by Wolverhampton MP Eleanor Smith, and a public consultation was put in place.

After pressure from Save the Wood Road Surgery Campaign Group and Ms Smith, the CCG agreed that the consultation period be extended until September 15 while another public meeting will be held on September 11 at Linden House on Tettenhall Road from 6pm - 8pm.

A spokesman for the group said: "While we have concerns that this session is being run as a drop-in with no guarantee that people’s views will be heard, we call on all affected patients and carers to join us there to tell the CCG that we need an accessible and fully funded local surgery.

"We cannot allow the decision-makers to stifle debate and prevent the community’s concerns from being openly addressed.

"GP practices are much needed by local communities and are a literal lifeline for some of our most vulnerable residents.

"The NHS does not, and should not, exist to create profits for companies like Tettenhall Medical Practice or NHS Properties.

"The local campaign - led by MP Eleanor Smith - calls on NHS Properties, Tettenhall Medical Practice and the Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) to work together to ensure that the local community does not lose access to a much needed service because of the inability of the property management company to rein in their costs and sufficient funding not being made available.

"It will cost the NHS much more if patients get ill or use A&E because they cannot access a local GP."