Local MP delighted at announcement town will have more GP’s 

Dudley North MP, Ian Austin, has welcomed news that Dudley will have more national investment to increase the number of GP’s in the town. 

The NHS Next Stage Review interim report by Health minister Lord Darzi identified the need for at least 100 new GP surgeries and 150 GP led health centres in the countries most deprived areas. 

And Health Secretary Alan Johnson has identified 38 primary care trusts (PCTs) as having the poorest GP provision – including Dudley. 

These areas will be the first to benefit from 100 new GP centres as part of a three year roll out programme.  These areas will also benefit from 150 GP led health centres. 

Ian Austin said: 

“For a long time I have thought that it is unacceptable that some areas in the UK have twice as many GP’s pre person than other more deprived areas.  That’s why today I am glad that Dudley, along with another 37 areas, in the country are getting extra investment to rectify this wrong.” 

“The centres will also fit the needs of the patients with extended opening hours and extended practice boundaries so that people have more choice about where to go to see their GP.” 

“This really does show that the governments guiding principle regarding the NHS is a universal service, free at the point of need, not based on the ability to pay.  However, I do think that more needs to be done and I will continue to campaign for more investment into the NHS in our area.”