Keighley and Ilkley MP Robbie Moore has met with members of Steeton Health Centre Action Group to discuss healthcare provision and GP services at Steeton Health Centre after news that Modality has now extended the Health Centre’s operating hours to four mornings a week.
Meeting at his office in Keighley, Mr Moore spoke with Veronica Mellor, Mary Lawton and Maggie Smith from the Action Group, which has been actively campaigning for improved access to services in Steeton with Eastburn.
The local MP first met with the Action Group in 2023 and subsequently attended a busy public meeting organised by the Group to discuss, among other issues, the lack of GP service provision at Steeton Health Centre by the Modality Partnership.
At the meeting, many residents raised concerns about whether local healthcare needs were being met, particularly given the continued population growth in Steeton with Eastburn and neighbouring towns like Silsden. There were additional concerns about the difficulties some patients – particularly elderly or disabled individuals – face when having to travel to Silsden Health Centre for appointments.
Mr Moore held a further meeting in May this year alongside Veronica, Mary and Maggie, with representatives from Modality, the West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board, and Bradford District and Craven Health and Care Partnership in attendance. The discussion focused on similar issues, namely the poor availability of appointments and limited operating hours at the Health Centre.
Following this meeting, Modality has now extended the Health Centre’s operating hours to four mornings a week – Monday to Thursday, from 8am to 1pm – a move welcomed by both the Action Group and Mr Moore. However, both agreed that more still needs to be done on the campaign.
In addition to the extended hours, patients who reside in Steeton with Eastburn can now, when booking an appointment, request to be seen at Steeton Health Centre rather than in Silsden, if they prefer.
Commenting on the meeting, Robbie Moore MP said:
“It was great to meet again with Veronica, Mary and Maggie and discuss these ongoing issues regarding Steeton Health Centre. It is clear that the demands of local patients were not being properly met, so I welcome this increase in service provision for local residents.
“However, there is still some way to go on this campaign, and I have written to Modality to ask if they have any intention of opening the Health Centre on Fridays and providing services five days a week. The Action Group and I will also look to hold a further meeting in the coming months with representatives from Modality, the ICB, and Bradford District and Craven Health and Care Partnership.
“I would like to sincerely thank Steeton Health Centre Action Group for all their continued hard work and dedication in this campaign.”
