New surgery in Kingstanding

HEALTHCARE in Kingstanding has been given a boost after a doctors' partnership signed up to run a new GP practice.

The new practice, based at the Warren Farm Health Centre, will be served by doctors from Assura Vertis, , a group of 23 GP practices based in the Redditch and Bromsgrove area.

National investment has been provided to an area which has suffered a greater level of ill health and had access to a lower number of GPs than elsewhere in the country.

Jonathan Tringham, NHS Birmingham East and North director of resources, said: "I am delighted we are working in partnership to produce a new GP practice with high-quality services for patients.

"We have taken into account what our patients wanted from a GP practice and have incorporated views put forward through the public consultation."

The initiative in Warren Farm Road follows extra funding as part of the Government's Equitable Access to Primary Medical Care programme, which has enabled NHS Birmingham East and North to commission the new GP-led health centre.

The Warren Farm practice will work with the local community to develop an increased range of health facilities relevant to the local community and will provide extended access to health advice until 8pm two days a week and also on Saturday mornings.

Dr Ian Morrey, a local GP and Assura chairman, said: "We are pleased to have this opportunity to work with NHS Birmingham East and North to provide this additional access to a GP or nurse for the local community.

"We look forward to providing the patients of Kingstanding with high-quality, easy and convenient access to a GP or nurse."