Express & Star

Walsall campaigners launch petition for dedicated medical centre

Campaigners calling for a dedicated medical centre to be created for the community have launched a petition.

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Around 5,500 postcards will be delivered to homes in Chuckery, Park Hall and Orchard Hills asking them to join the crusade.

Conservative councillors in the area want to see health services based in a new centre including GPs sharing facilities.

Around 30 residents and supporters attended the launch of the petition calling on Walsall Council to convert the Broadway North Resource Centre that provides day services for adults with mental health needs and is also home to Park Hall Community Association.

But the council's social care boss Councillor Diane Coughlan said no decision has been made over its future amid fears the site in Broadway North may be sold off to developers.

Petition organiser Conservative councillor Rose Martin said: "We want to secure and expand health services in this part of Walsall South and it is a noble cause. The number of people who have turned up today shows the strength of feeling locally.

"I would ask residents to fill in the cards and send them back.

"We want to see provision expanded to help to ease the pressure on the amount of elderly residents from this area who are going to the Walsall Manor Hospital."

Walsall Council has launched a public consultation to gather views on the future use of Broadway North.

Labour's Councillor Coughlan said the council was listening to residents and all options were being considered.

"One option may be to sell the building and we welcome ideas on potential new sites and potential new arrangements should we decide to do so," she said. "But I must reiterate how important it is that people realise that we are only gathering views to inform consultation and this is by no means a done deal.

"We have reassured people that services will continue and this discussion is not driven by budget savings."

Residents are urged to attend a drop-in consultation session at the centre on February 4 from 2-4pm.

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