GP Services - Mossley and Dudley Fields

Media Release: Friday 01 October 2010

Walsall health chiefs are taking steps to secure the future of family doctor services in the Mossley and Dudley Fields area, in response to pleas from hundreds of local people.

NHS Walsall is to begin a procurement process with the aim of finding a group of local GPs to take over the running of services provided from the Abbey Square Surgery in Mossley.

Earlier this year, a public consultation exercise was launched to give local people a chance to have their say on options for GP services in their area.  The consultation was prompted by the retirement of husband and wife GPs Dr Abdul Ghaffar and Dr Rifat Ghaffar after more than 30 years of service to the local community from their Abbey Square practice.

An overwhelming public response saw the consultation period extended, with hundreds of local people having their say in writing or at a series of public meetings.

Following a further meeting between local people and members of the NHS Walsall Board, the decision was taken at today’s (Thursday 30 September) Board meeting to begin a procurement process.

NHS Walsall Chief Executive Denise McLellan explains: “The initial proposal we received from local doctors was for a merger of two practices - Abbey Square and the All Saints Surgery, Bloxwich – and that was one of the options specifically mentioned in the consultation.

“Having listened carefully to local people, we know that what they want above all is to keep their local GP service. However, we have also been told very clearly that many people would also like other local GP practices to be offered a chance to provide that service, rather than simply merging with All Saints.

“We are committed to being a listening organisation, and having weighed up the options very carefully, our Board has decided to begin a formal procurement process. This will be conducted in accordance with procurement advice and we will involve local people in developing the quality standards, as well as in the evaluation process.

“As with any procurement, there is a risk that if no-one comes forward with a suitable proposal, we may be left with no choice but to close Abbey Square and offer the patients a chance to sign up with another local practice.

“However, I am optimistic that the procurement process will secure a high quality local GP service for people in Mossley and Dudley Fields.

“Our aim is to find a solution which enables then to enjoy the benefits of a continuing GP service close to home while also being able to take advantage of the wider range of care and treatment that could be offered through a larger practice operating from a number of local bases.

“This is entirely in keeping with our strategic aim of making sure that everyone in  Walsall has access to the best possible healthcare, as close to home as possible.

 
“We expect that the procurement process will take about six to nine months to complete. In the meantime, we will talk to the GPs from the Lichfield Street Surgery who have been providing interim cover at Abbey Square about continuing that interim service for a further period.

“I think we have demonstrated very clearly that our consultation process has been a genuine one.  It has certainly generated a huge response from local people, and I hope that they recognise that we have listened to their views and taken them into account while coming up with a solution that also fits in with our overall strategy for GP services across Walsall.”

For more information please contact:

Richard Haynes, NHS Walsall on 01922 619946 or email richard.haynes@walsall.nhs.uk