MONEY and safety concerns are among the reasons behind plans to close a Wollaston GP branch and merge its services under one roof at a sister surgery.

Three Villages Medical Practice has this week begun a two-month consultation process over plans to close its Wollaston site on Bridgnorth Road and base itself fully at Stourbridge Health and Social Care Centre on John Corbett Drive.

A statement on Three Villages’ website said: “After a great deal of thought and consideration, it is apparent that Wollaston is no longer able to operate effectively in modern general practice.

“We are proposing to close our branch surgery at Wollaston and bring all services together under one roof at Stourbridge Health and Social Care Centre.

“We will make it our aim to retain the elements that patients value from our smaller practice site.

“We, as a team, are confident that we will continue to provide the best possible service by consolidating all patient care at SHSCC, providing better access to full nursing services, chronic disease management and minor surgery facilities.

“We would also like to assure you there will be no reduction in the number of appointments available.”

On the reasons behind the plans, the statement added: “Working across two sites is increasingly difficult; (in terms of) communication, safety and teamwork.

“Logistics of maintaining an efficient and safe service is increasingly challenging to achieve.

“Practice budget does not allow us to effectively run two sites without compromises.”

The consultation period runs until Wednesday, September 19 and patients can make their views known on the plans by filling in a survey at https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/PHPR76G

Additionally, public meetings are being held about the plans on Wednesday, July 25 at 3.30pm at Holy Trinity Church, High Street, Amblecote and Wednesday, August 8 at 7pm at St James’ Church, Belfry Drive, Wollaston.

At the end of the consultation period, Dudley Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) will consider all feedback and make a decision on the plans at a meeting held in public at Amblecote Christian Centre on Brettell Lane on Friday, October 19 at 1pm.