Questions are being asked about why the closure of doctors’ surgeries in parts of Nuneaton affected by significant housing growth cannot be contested. The eastern side of the town has experienced a substantial boom in residential construction, with further developments still on the horizon.

Both Weddington and Whitestone have undergone extensive building work, yet neither location has adequate medical practices, according to county councillor Keith Kondakor.

Proposals for a purpose-built surgery in Whitestone that had secured funding were abandoned by the Coventry and Warwickshire Integrated Care Board, which instead opted to allocate resources towards expanding the current St Nicolas Medical Centre.

Meanwhile, Whitestone Surgery is due to shut its doors on Friday, April 24, with patients instructed to register elsewhere.

The ICB dismissed assertions that the practice could have continued at its existing premises and declined to respond to suggestions that private investment had been arranged for a new medical facility in the area.

This situation prompted councillor Kondakor to express worries about healthcare availability locally, raising the matter at a full council gathering.

The board is not required to seek views on abandoning plans for future health centres, he observed, questioning why there is no opportunity to oppose these reductions given the volume of new residences appearing on Nuneaton’s eastern flank.

Councillor Anne-Marie Sonko, portfolio holder for health, indicated she had discussed the situation with the ICB and would supply a comprehensive response to Kondakor, while suggesting the matter could be examined by a council scrutiny panel.

Kondakor responded by stating concerns exist about prospects ahead, with circumstances seen in Weddington now emerging in Whitestone, and that requiring residents to travel across town places additional strain on other practitioners. He urged examination of future capacity to avoid squandering opportunities, pointing out that section 106 contributions and complimentary land obtained from developers are being returned, effectively resulting in losses across the entire eastern section of Nuneaton. He called for engagement with relevant boards, emphasising that residents cannot participate in decision-making since choices have already been determined.

Sonko responded that the council’s scope for action is limited as it may hold no sway, though she committed to pursuing the issue further and presenting objections to the scrutiny panel.