Three new GP surgeries are to opened in north and east Birmingham, after it was recognised as being among the most deprived areas in the country.
Birmingham East and North Primary Care Trust is to open the new practices and a GP-led health centre in April 2009 after receiving £3.5million funding from the Department of Health.
The Government is investing £250 million nationwide to open more than 100 new GP surgeries and 150 health centres areas with poorest access to healthcare services.
BEN PCT is currently discussing possible locations for the new facilities, to ensure they are sited in areas where they will make most difference to local residents.
Sophia Christie, the PCT's chief executive, said: "GPs have a key role to play in improving health and saving lives. This is an excellent opportunity to expand local capacity and capability to tackle some of the long-standing issues we have in the area of ill health and early death.
"I am personally committed to maintaining the traditional strengths of general practice whilst we ensure we also develop new skills and approaches fit for the 21st century and are better able to tackle historic inequalities and ensure patients experience effective and responsive services."
