Plans for Cleobury Mortimer medical centre still 'priority'

Health bosses in Shropshire today said that plans for a £1 million medical practice in a county town were a "high priority". Residents feared their chances of a new surgery were "slipping away".

People in Cleobury Mortimer have raised concerns over the existing cramped facilities.

Now members of Cleobury Patients' Voice have written to Jo Chambers, chief executive of Shropshire County Primary Care Trust (PCT), to make their case after it was claimed funding could be held up as many patients use facilities across the county border in Worcestershire.

Today Paul Tulley, director of strategic planning and commissioning for the PCT, said: "Cleobury Mortimer Medical Practice has been identified by the PCT as a high priority for development.

"Decisions on funding development programmes have not yet been made, but will be by the end of this financial year.

"As the practice has identified that it would like to be part of the Wyre Forest shadow GP Commissioning Consortium, any funding decisions for the development will need to be agreed after consultation with NHS Worcestershire, which is currently taking place."

He said the PCT recognised the importance of the project.

In her letter, Jenny McCrorie, chairman of Cleobury Patients' Voice, said: "Unfortunately we have found out despite Cleobury Mortimer's urgent need for a new medical centre, you are creating delays which we cannot afford."