Proposed Walsall Medical Centre Moved to Bilston Due to Funding Constraints

Plans for a new Community Diagnostics Centre (CDC) initially aimed at Walsall town centre have been adjusted, with the facility now set to be established in Bilston. The centre is a collaboration between Walsall Healthcare and Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trusts, intended to serve both local areas.

Originally, proposals included a two-site model, featuring one location in Bilston and another within the Saddlers Centre in Walsall town centre. However, capital funding limitations resulted in the decision to proceed with a single site, with Bilston selected as the preferred option due to its coverage benefits for both Walsall and Wolverhampton.

Conservative leader Councillor Adrian Andrew criticised the change, questioning the impact on Walsall residents’ health and wellbeing. He highlighted a previous allocation of £610,000 from the Community Regeneration Partnership towards developing a high street health hub in Walsall town centre, and the initial plans for a 7,000 square foot facility at the Saddlers Centre. Councillor Andrew raised concerns over accessibility for residents needing to travel to Bilston.

In response, Reform leader Councillor Elaine Williams clarified that the NHS trusts are leading the project, with extensive site evaluations occurring before the current administration’s tenure. She explained that discrepancies in capital cost estimates between the CDC designers and NHS estates teams necessitated dropping the two-site approach. Councillor Williams emphasised that Bilston offers the best single-site solution and mentioned that future opportunities for Walsall, including diagnostic services integrated within neighbourhood health plans and outreach linked to Palfrey Medical Centre, are being explored.

Councillor Williams firmly rejected claims that Walsall had lost out on health facility improvements, stressing continued efforts to enhance local healthcare access.