Minister questioned in parliament about closure-threatened Dudley library and clinic

Dudley MP Sonia Kumar spoke about the Ladies Walk clinic and library in Sedgley during a debate.

She asked health minister Stephen Kinnock to meet her with a view to resolving the issue.

The centre, which opened in 2001, was built as part of a £4 million private finance initiative. 

But the Express & Star revealed in December that the library would be required to vacate the premises in Ladies Walk in March next year, when the 25-year lease came to an end. The clinic will also need to leave the complex.

Miss Kumar said: "Ladies Walk NHS health centre in Sedgley is a vital hub for my constituents, providing essential services such as phlebotomy and diabetic foot care, but owing to the inaction of the Conservative council this much-needed community asset faces closure in 2026, leaving residents without access to critical care. 

"Will my honourable friend agree to meet me to discuss urgent steps to safeguard the future of the centre and ensure that Sedgley residents continue to receive the NHS services on which they rely?"

Mr Kinnock replied: "I pay tribute to my honourable friend, who is a qualified physiotherapist, and who is right to refer to the value of community care. I would be happy to meet her to discuss the important issue that she has raised."

The development won an award for the 'most innovative private finance initiative under £10 million' in the Public Private Finance Awards for 2001 and was officially opened by then Dudley North MP Ross Cranston and was visited by then health secretary Jacqui Smith.

Dudley Council leader Councillor Patrick Harley said both the authority and the local NHS were doing all they could to maintain library and health services in Sedgley.

“We are exploring three options and would prefer for the facilities to remain at Ladies Walk," he said.

“We are currently in talks with the landlord’s agent to ascertain the viability of that.

“Failing that, we will be looking to secure a building in Sedgley for the library to move to. We will continue talking to our health partners about the possibility of co-location and co-operation to this end.

“We do not have any definitive answers or timescales at the moment but can assure residents we are doing all we can to resolve this. We will keep them informed every step of the way.”

Earlier this month, Miss Kumar staged a 'day of action' outside the centre, which was attended by 50 supporters. More than 500 people have signed a petition calling for the complex to be kept open.