Battle is on in chance to run Bloxwich surgery

Four interested parties are battling it out to take on a doctor's surgery in Walsall which was saved from closure, it was claimed today.

The future of Abbey Square surgery, in Bloxwich, had been hanging in the balance.

The situation arose after the husband-and-wife team running it decided to retire in March last year.

But after a hard-fought campaign by residents, the centre in Mossley was saved and the search began to find new GPs to run it.

It was today revealed four bids have gone in, with the preferred applicant due to be unveiled in the summer.

NHS Walsall spokeswoman Michelle Cummings said: "NHS Walsall can confirm that a tender exercise has been undertaken for the future management of the Abbey Square practice and that four bids have been received. These are currently being evaluated and it is anticipated that a recommendation as to the award of business will be made at the end of June.."