A proposed future for Meadowgreen Health Centre 18/06/18

What is Proposed Closure of 2 existing sites Lowedges Surgery Old School Medical Centre Consolidating all services on a single site – Jordanthorpe Health Centre

Jordanthorpe HC Meadowhead Group

Why do this? We have 2 buildings no longer fit for purpose We need more staff to reduce routine waits but have no space to put them in Working across 2 sites is inefficient – we can do more with less on one site We cannot find a suitable alternative option in the Lowedges/Greenhill direct area

The Building issue Old School is a building of interest in a conservation area – no ability to develop Lowedges is deteriorating and no investment available to redevelop There is no funding available from the NHS to develop a new building

Service Development We have been approached before about services coming into our buildings e.g. eye screening We have not had the room to do so and will not unless we move These additional services can further improve the service we provide

Doctor Issues Every surgery is struggling to recruit We know that 2 doctors are likely to retire in the next few years New partners do not want to be involved in building ownership – continuing to own buildings is now a barrier to recruitment

This is about sustainability of the practice for the future If we don’t do this the surgery will become unsustainable

Rumour vs Truth!

This is about money The partners do not stand to gain financially Whilst there may be some profit from building sales this will be absorbed kitting out the new building The CCG has very limited financial resource and cannot finance a new build with Jordanthorpe so close

This is a merger with Jordanthorpe Health Centre We are NOT merging with Jordanthorpe nor do we have any plans to do so We will not be changing our systems and processes nor changing our visiting criteria We will be 2 separate practices in the same building

Staff will change/are retiring At present no doctors are planning to retire as this occurs The only risk to staff is to our cleaning staff and we are actively seeking options for them in the new premises All others are moving across

You will only be able to use the pharmacy at Jordanthorpe You will still be able to use the pharmacy of your choice Most scripts are sent electronically now It will however be convenient for anyone coming in to the surgery should they wish to get scripts immediately

This is about getting rid of some patients Absolutely not – this is about improving the service for our patients We hope we can continue to provide care for our current patients – crucially that this allows us to provide better care

Issues Raised

Getting there We know buses are an issue – only the M17 is an option with a relatively limited service What is being done

Parking There are as many parking spaces at Jordanthorpe as both Lowedges and Old School combined We recognise there are the existing GP and Dental Patients as well but most are local New surgeries get minimal parking due to desire to encourage other forms of transport

Security Concerns have been expressed about security in the area Jordanthorpe is much more secure than our existing buildings with a secure car park etc – crucial for our staff We have had recent break-ins and thefts from both of our existing sites

Prescriptions Concern raised about dropping of prescription orders Due to consolidation we have the ability to run a prescription line for ordering as well as existing online options This will improve the situation rather than detract from it

This is about improving the service we offer and sustainability of the practice for the future Doing nothing is not an option

Questions?