AHEAD of a major shake-up in Wirral’s community health care, two important treatment centres have been urged to unite

St Catherine's Hospital is being encouraged to team up with Birkenhead’s Miriam Medical Centre to provide an extended service to help the more deprived areas of the town.

The call comes as health bosses consider their decision over a controversial plan that has caused a public outcry.

More than 32,000 people signed petitions against proposals to close walk-in centres at Eastham Clinic and Victoria Central Wallasey, Miriam Medical Centre in Birkenhead, Parkfield Medical Centre in New Ferry and Moreton Health Clinic.

It is proposed an “Urgent Treatment Centre” should be set up at Arrowe Park Hospital to replace them. A consultation exercise ended in December with a decision expected in the summer.

Then a so-called “Plan B” from Wirral Community NHS Foundation Trust was put forward suggesting a UTC should instead be built at St Catherine’s or Victoria Central in Wallasey.

Now Birkenhead MP Frank Field has stepped into the argument saying he believes Plan B would “not be a prudent use of tax payers’ money in the current climate - when suitable facilities are already available in Birkenhead.”

He said the Miriam Centre should extend its services while uniting with St Catherine’s “as part of a joined-up approach to deliver the best possible healthcare for the people of Birkenhead.”

Miriam Centre boss Dr Abhi Mantgani says he would welcome any involvement in developing a “workable” solution.

He told the Globe: "We proposed a plan during the consultation that would achieve this with an extended Urgent Treatment Centre at Arrowe Park and walk-in services in each area of Wirral, including Miriam, and we would welcome any involvement in developing a workable solution with the CCG across the borough.

“As part of the options we have suggested how we can have more than one centre in Birkenhead to meet the needs of the most deprived population.

"Our campaign will continue with constructive ideas and collaboration with the community trust and the CCG."

The CCG is remaining tight-lipped until the summer deadline.

It issued a statement saying: "The aim of the consultation was to seek views and ideas on our proposals from the public and stakeholders.

"During the consultation period we received alternative proposals from a number of stakeholders and these are being analysed along with the wider feedback received during the consultation.

"All feedback received during the consultation period is being considered.

"We are committed to working with the current providers of urgent care services and as such a stakeholder group has been commenced which includes representation from all providers, allowing for their input as the model is developed.”