COOMBSWOOD Surgery will reopen after the legal dispute which led to its closure has been resolved.

Dudley Clinical Commissioning Group's executive committee met at the Zion Centre, Halesowen, as over hundred patients turned up to discover the surgery's future.

However, at the 11th hour the legal dispute between the landlord Dr Humphrey Akufo-Teteh and the tenant Dr Ruth Hearn from the Stourside Medical Group had resolved their dispute.

Chairman of the CCG Steve Wellings said: ""There has been very significant developments in the last 24 hours.

"This has been a remarkably complicated issue to resolve.

"I want to make an apology as I said as an organisation (the CCG) did not know rent had been withheld, that was wrong, people in our organisation did know.

"I did not intentionally mislead you I just did not know."

He added: "Legal documents have been signed that means Dr Ruth Hearn can move back into the building within weeks."

"As the building has been empty for a while it has to be deep cleaned before opening."

He added: "Rent payments in the future will be paid directly to the landlord by the CCG, so this should not happen in the future.

"I want to make it clear that we have no knowledge that there are any plans to close the surgery."

The surgery is expected to reopen on October 17.

Halesowen and Rowley Regis MP James Morris said: "I'm delighted that this issue has now come to an end, and that once again patients will have access to their GP.

He added: "What we must do now is make sure that all involved learn the lessons of this unfortunate incident and that this can't, and won't happen again."

"In the coming months I will be keep a keen eye on developments and ensure that services are maintained."

Dr Akufo-Teteh said: "I am glad this issue has been resolved and the surgery I built will continue to be open to the community I served for so long."

The CCG meeting is still in session, more to follow.