THE rejection of plans for a new medical centre in Knutsford has been slammed as ‘the wrong decision’ by a Cheshire MP.

Tatton MP Esther McVey has vowed to continue to support GPs in their urgent plea to serve all the town’s patients under one roof.

Knutsford Medical Partnership suggested building on the community hospital site but the newly formed Cheshire & Merseyside Integrated Care Board (ICB) ruled this out as being too costly.

READ > Wilmslow driver banned for failing to provide breath sample

Doctors say they desperately need more space to meet the needs of the town’s growing elderly population and influx of new families.

Ms McVey said: “I am very disappointed that the new ICB does not believe that Knutsford needs investment for a new, purpose built medical practice.

“It is the wrong decision and yet more frustration for patient groups and the GPs who have worked so hard to try and build the case over a considerable number of years.

“I have worked with them since 2017 on this and will now be writing to the Minister and meeting with both GPs and wider community stakeholders to decide what the next steps need to be taken to get this much needed service for Knutsford.”

A statement from the executive board of Knutsford Medical Partnership, said: "There is a deep sense of frustration and disappointment that another planned solution to improve health services has been deemed not worthy and too costly.

"To us this seems short sighted and unfair.

"We will continue to explore options when we next meet with the ICB."

Mark Wilkinson, Place director for Cheshire East, part of NHS Cheshire and Merseyside, said: "We have agreed to explore potentially more cost-effective alternatives within the town which will involve reviewing existing buildings and how they could be adapted to suite the long term healthcare requirements of the people of Knutsford."