ECCLESHILL Treatment Centre in Bradford which closed amid controversy earlier this summer when a health care provider's contract ended will re-open next month.

The development has brought praise for the Clinical Commissioning Group which has organised the re-opening of the centre and arranged for maintenance work to be done while it has been closed.

When it was announced Care UK was pulling out of the centre following the end of its contract in July, schoolboy James Slater who lives nearby went as far as organising a petition against the closure which attracted more than 1,000 signatures within days.

But the NHS Bradford Districts CCG has found new providers which will offer endoscopy, MRI, CT and ultrasound services at the centre which will be available via GPs, using the 'choose and book' system of appointments.

Some of the services which were previously provided at the centre are now available on a mobile basis, to go directly into communities, and others will be re-instated at Eccleshill when providers can be found.

Bradford East MP David Ward has been monitoring the situation since it was announced the Care UK contract would not be renewed and said: "It was never going to be the same provider with exactly the same services.

"They have looked at better ways of doing some things. This has given the freedom to ask whether things could be done slightly differently and better. Some mobile services will take it into people's communities.

"There should be congratulations for the CCG for the hard work that has gone on against a backdrop of criticism."

Jane Hazelgrave, chief finance officer at Bradford Districts CCG, said: “I’m delighted that we are able to announce a wide range of providers of diagnostics services, which will result in increased choice and improved access for local patients.

“Endoscopy, ultrasound and MRI services will be based at Eccleshill with other providers offering MRI, CT and ultrasound in community and hospital settings.

"NHS Property Services, which own the building, are also in discussion with some providers about rental space at Eccleshill.

“It was never our intention to close Eccleshill and we have made that clear throughout the re-procurement process.

"There is always a period of transition as providers change – but we have worked hard to keep any inconvenience to patients to a minimum, by offering them a choice of alternative providers to make sure they continue to receive high quality care.”

It is unknown at this stage exactly which services will eventually be available at the centre, with the rest of the building now being marketed.