Walsall councillors recently debated a proposal to relocate approximately 5,000 patients from Palfrey Health Centre to a new medical hub in the Saddlers Centre. The NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board (ICB) has argued that the existing Palfrey Health Centre on Wednesbury Road is no longer fit for purpose, citing insufficient clinical space and the building’s poor condition—Milton House reportedly suffers from gaps in windows causing cold and damp conditions.
The proposed move would see the clinic move to a purpose-built facility in the Saddlers Centre, increasing clinical rooms from six to ten and offering additional services previously only available at Walsall Manor Hospital. The Ambar Medical Centre, sharing the current premises, is not included in this proposed relocation.
However, the relocation has sparked significant concern among Palfrey patients. Councillor Hajran Bashir, representing Palfrey and the Delves, highlighted issues around travel accessibility and safety, especially for one of Walsall’s most deprived communities with existing health inequalities. Residents worry about crossing routes from retail parks to the new centre, compounded by recent reports of racially motivated incidents. Bashir also criticized what she perceives as a predetermined decision without adequate community consultation.
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Councillor Aftab Nawaz, leader of Walsall Community Independents, warned that moving services away from Palfrey risks creating a healthcare “desert” in a diverse and deprived area. He advocated for maintaining accessible, local health services to address health inequalities and opposed the move to the town centre.
At a scrutiny committee meeting on July 9, Nawaz proposed a motion to recognize the existing health disparities in Palfrey and to support keeping the health centre within the area. The motion was tied at four votes for and four against, resulting in the chair, Councillor Tabbi Wilberforce Awotwe, casting the deciding vote against keeping the centre in Palfrey.