Dudley MP Sonia Kumar has urged the government to support a new healthcare hub in the town centre, arguing it would not only improve access to medical services but also drive broader regeneration. Speaking in Parliament, the former NHS physiotherapist called for a 'Health on the High Street' centre, which she said would make health, wellbeing and community support more accessible.
Health Hub as a Catalyst for Footfall
Ms Kumar believes a hub on the High Street will increase footfall in the town centre, particularly once the Midland Metro tram link and new bus interchange are completed. She said: 'When people think about the future of Dudley town centre, they often focus on shops, businesses and regeneration. Those things are important, but I believe we should think even bigger. What if our town centre could become a place that not only supports our local economy but also improves people's health and wellbeing?'
Simplifying Access to Services
The MP highlighted that health services are often fragmented and difficult to navigate. 'Too often services can feel confusing, difficult to navigate and spread across multiple locations. If we are serious about reducing health inequalities, we need to think differently about how healthcare is delivered. Bringing services directly into the heart of our community is one practical way of doing that. Prevention is every bit as important as treatment, and the easier we make it for people to access support, the more likely they are to seek help early,' she added.
Government Support and National Plans
Ms Kumar raised the issue in the House of Commons, asking the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, James Murray MP, for a meeting to discuss speeding up healthcare delivery. Mr Murray responded: 'She is absolutely right to raise the importance of making sure healthcare is easily accessible in places like high streets where people can access it quickly.' He confirmed the government plans to create 250 new neighbourhood health centres, with 120 to be delivered by 2030. 'That is part of our plan to make sure healthcare gets right into every local neighbourhood and community,' he said.
Next Steps for Dudley
Ms Kumar expressed encouragement at the ministerial response. 'I was encouraged by the positive response from ministers and by the government's commitment to expanding neighbourhood healthcare services. Now I want to ensure Dudley is at the forefront of that conversation,' she said. The proposed hub aims to integrate health and wellbeing services into the town centre, potentially serving as a model for other communities seeking to combine regeneration with improved public health access.
