CAMPAIGNERS fighting the closure of a well-used medical centre have won a one-year reprieve.

People in Hemlington, Middlesbrough have held public meetings, lobbied politicians and signed a 500-signature petition to protect Hemlington Medical Centre, which has almost 2,000 patients although it was originally hoped it would have 6,000 patients enrolled.

NHS England has never said it would definitely close the centre, but was reviewing various proposals for six surgeries across Teesside. However there were particular fears for the Hemlington centre on Viewley Centre Road, as it was coming to the end of a five-year contract to provide GP services. Campaigners also claimed they were at one point told it could close by the end of December.

Middlesbrough Deputy Mayor Dave Budd, Tom Blenkinsop MP and Hemlington councillors Jeanette Walker and Nicky Walker have all campaigned on the issue. Middlesbrough Council’s Health Scrutiny Panel also challenged various aspects of the consultation process.

Former councillor for the area Dave Budd, had challenged the NHS presumptions regarding future housing development for the area which could lead to more patients.

He said: “Anyone who knows this area appreciates just how much Hemlington needs this surgery.”

Mr Blenkinsop said: “The reprieve is welcome and whilst it is good news that the medical centre will remain open for at least the medium term, we obviously can’t rest on our laurels. What will happen after a year? We could find ourselves back in the position of having to fight for its future."

Hemlington ward councillors Jeanette Walker and Nicky Walker fought to bring the surgery to Hemlington in the first place. Cllr Nicky Walker said: “It’s a huge relief that patients in Hemlington will not now be losing the only surgery we have right before Christmas."

Concerns have also been raised in North Ormesby because the Resolution Health Centre was also coming to an end, however there was not thought to be the same immediate threat to its survival and it has been confirmed it will have its contract renewed until March, 2016.

No-one was available to comment from NHS England, however various NHS spokespeople have consistently said that various options, not just closure, were being kept open. There will be more extensive consultation in the community in the coming year.

Services are also being examined at the Viewley Centre Road centre, Eston Grange Health Centre at Low Grange Health Village in South Bank, Langbaurgh Medical Centre in Redcar, Marske Medical Centre and Stockton Health Centre on High Newham Road.