The petition of residents of the constituency of Dudley,
Declares that Ladies Walk Centre, and the health and library services it provides, are at risk of closure because no deal has been done to ensure that the lease for the property does not expire in March 2026.
The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urge the Government to urgently communicate with the owners of the Ladies Walk Centre property, Dudley Council and the NHS, asking that Ladies Walk Centre be saved from closure.
And the petitioners remain, etc.
—[Presented by Sonia Kumar, Official Report, 19 May 2025; Vol. 767, c. 856.]
[P003069]
Observations from the The Minister for Secondary Care (Karin Smyth):
The appropriate NHS commissioner is responsible for delivery, implementation, and funding decisions for services—in this case, Black Country Integrated Care Board (ICB)—rather than the Government. The Government believe that local health and care organisations are best placed to make decisions on commissioning services for their communities, working with local authorities, stakeholders, and local populations to meet people’s needs.
The Government are aware that the Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust’s lease for Ladies Walk is due to come to an end in March 2026 and that the trust are currently working with NHS Property Services and other occupiers to look at options for future service delivery. The Government understand that, during this time, the trust will also seek the views of local people and patients. The trust have informed the Government that they are committed to continuing the delivery of services locally and ensuring that patients can access the care they need.
The Government maintain that any changes to services should be informed by clinical best practice following appropriate engagement with patients and stakeholders. Substantial planned service change and reconfiguration of services are subject to a public consultation and must meet the Government and NHS England’s tests to ensure good decision-making and that proposals are demonstrated to be in the interests of service users and the wider public.
The Government understand that a public meeting was held in Sedgley on 21 May 2025, which approximately 130 local residents and interested parties attended, as well as all health and care partners being represented. The Government understand that a further public meeting is expected in July, at which the trust will update on their progress with the landlord. The Government recommend that petitioners share their views directly with the trust and with Black Country ICB—as the commissioner of the regional healthcare services—who will be better placed to respond. The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust’s contact details can be found at
https://www.dgft.nhs.uk/about-us/contact-us/ and those for the Black Country ICB at
https://blackcountry.icb.nhs.uk/contact-us