Health chief goes under the spotlight on polyclinics (From Haringey Independent)

Health chief goes under the spotlight on polyclinics

8:00am Monday 25th August 2008

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The Haringey Independent puts chief executive of Haringey Teaching Primary Care Trust, Tracey Baldwin, under the spotlight on polyclinic plans.

Q: What are the most recent changes in health services in Haringey and GP practices – why can't they just carry on as they are?

A: There are huge health inequalities in Haringey. We know that not everyone living in Haringey gets the same range, quality or access to health care and that these differences play a part in those health inequalities.

We want to improve services so that we can help everyone stay healthier for longer, ensure the right services are available as close to home as possible when people are ill and make services more accessible and flexible for everyone, for example by extending opening hours.

The services provided by local GPs are very important to this. They do an excellent job in Haringey – however, this despite of the fact that many GP surgeries are in old and impractical buildings. Our proposals set out plans to improve GP premises and describe a “hub and spoke” model so that all GP practices have access to a wider range of services for their patients more locally.

Q: There has been some confusion surrounding the proposed "hub and spoke" model. How will this work?

A: We carried out a public consultation in 2007 on our plans. The feedback we received has been used to develop a new model of care (the “hub and spoke” model) which describes how we can best deliver more local health services to the people of Haringey.

In this model people will be able to access a much wider range of services provided by GPs, nurses and other health professionals as well as some services that are currently only available in hospital.

These services will be provided from dedicated Neighbourhood Health Centres or ”hubs”, which will be linked to a range of GP practice ”spokes”, which will provide more local services.

Q: So Haringey's strategy is to be modified after public consultation – how will it change from here?

A: Four local groups each led by a local GP (ie south Tottenham, north Tottenham, central Haringey and west Haringey) will develop the detailed plans setting out what the hub and spoke model might look like in each area. We will undertake more formal public consultation on these plans in spring 2009.

Q: Weekly protests are still taking place outside St Ann's Hospital. Does this have an impact on your thinking?

A: The views of the local people are extremely important to us, and we need to be sure that what we do works for local people. This is why we are taking time to develop our local plans informed by people’s views, including a community doorstep survey, and going out to a further public consultation before we make any decisions about implementing our strategy.

Q: Some GPs are worried their funding will be cut if they do not move into these Neighbourhood Health Centres. Can you confirm this will not be the case?

A: No, this is absolutely not the case. We would never use funding as a means of forcing GPs into these facilities.

Q: Can you guarantee that EVERYONE in the community will have a say on how they access their doctor and that they will be listened to?

A: We will be involving local people in developing our plans further this autumn, including a community doorstep survey, and we will again be formally consulting on the more detailed proposals next year.

We believe that by working with all our stakeholders, including doctors, nurses and other health professionals as well as the Council and local people we can get the best fit for everyone living in Haringey.

Q: The final cement has been laid on Hornsey Central, which is planned as a Neighbourhood Health Centre. What will it contain?

A: This new centre will open in April 2009 and the services will be gradually phased in. The services available there will include a new Dementia Day Care Centre, extended primary and community health services and a range of diagnostic services including blood tests, ECGs and some x-rays.

Q: What is the next stage to the strategy and how can we keep up to date with progress?

A: We are currently developing detailed plans and proposals for each of the local areas in Haringey, informed by local stakeholders. There will further consultation on these plans for each area in Spring next year. For more information please visit our website: www.haringey.nhs.uk.

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