A HEALTH centre has been saved from closure following a campaign by residents.

The future of Tonge Moor Health Centre in Thicketford Road was in doubt because it was having difficulty in recruiting new medics after it lost six GPs over the previous two years.

Last May, the practice, which also runs a surgery two miles away at the Harwood Medical Centre, had proposed bringing all patients into that building within three months.

A campaign to keep the Tonge Moor centre open was launched with the help of Bolton North East MP, Sir David Crausby.

Patients were concerned they would struggle to get to Harwood and that that centre might struggle due to extra demand. And yesterday Mr Crausby revealed the news that health chiefs had agreed the Tonge Moor centre would remain open.

Mr Crausby explained: “I am very pleased that our concerns have been listened to and the right decision has now been reached.

“Tonge Health Centre is a valuable community asset and I hope that the Bolton Clinical Commissioning Group will continue to work with patients and doctors to ensure that it is not threatened again.

“Everyone should be able to access NHS services in their own community and I was extremely concerned by this proposal. When I reached out to local residents I heard from many patients who would have been unable to arrange transport up to Harwood and I wanted to ensure that their voice was heard.”

Nobody was available for comment from the centre or from the Bolton Clinical Commissioning Group.