Health bosses' calls for Hartlepool medical centre to reopen are welcomed by campaigner

Hartfields Medical Centre, which is on the same site as Hartfields retirement village, on Bishop Cuthbert, in Hartlepool, has been temporarily shut since mid-March 2020 due to the pandemic.

Managers the McKenzie Group Practice announced its intention to apply to health chiefs to permanently close the centre.

But health bosses at the Tees Valley Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) are recommending the site reopens in January while a second engagement exercise on the closure plans is carried out from January 14 to March 25.

Bishop Cuthbert resident Glen Hughes launched a petition signed by more than 400 people opposing the closure when the plans were announced in July.

He said of the latest development: “It’s good news and common sense because these community services are needed now more than ever before.

"It’s great news for the residents of Hartfields. I know a lot of them were quite anxious of that closing.

"This will help ease their minds as well as offering the residents of Bishop Cuthbert and Clavering access to a vital community service.”

Glen, a dad of two young children, added it is difficult enough as it is to get GP appointments, adding: “It makes sense to be keeping more practices open as opposed to shutting them.”

The McKenzie Group Practice has said bringing services together at its other sites will “enhance clinical quality and practice resilience to run more efficiently”.

Support your Mail and become a subscriber today. Enjoy unlimited access to local news, the latest on Pools and new puzzles every day. With a digital subscription, you can see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content.

The Hartlepool Mail has been in town since 1877, and your support means we can continue telling your stories for generations to come. Click here to subscribe.