Concern that funding is being diverted to polyclinics
Drastic cuts in the Community Contraception and Sexual Health Services at Chiswick and Brentford Health Centres have raised concerns that PCT funding is being focused on the borough's polyclinics.
Until February 2nd there were three clinics a week which were open to all. The cut backs mean that there is now just one clinic - Adult Family Planning for the over 25s - on Fridays between 1 – 3 pm.
KISS - the family planning service for the under 25's - is only available at Heart of Hounslow and Feltham polyclinics.
An informed resident told us, "These clinics are not just for Health Centre practices, but anyone in Chiswick. The doctors say they are well used, particularly by younger women."
Brentford Health Centre has also had its clinics cut back to one a week. However The Heart of Hounslow Centre has two 'KISS' clinics, four Adult Family Planning Clinics and four Specialist Family Planning Clinics. At Feltham Centre for Health there's one KISS, four Adult Family Planning Clinics and Specialist Family Planning Clinic.
The Heart of Hounslow opened as a polyclinic in April 2009. A walk-in service is available from 8am to 8pm every day of the year including weekends for registered and unregistered patients.
Dr Nicola Burbidge, a Chiswick GP and Chair of the Hounslow Professional Executive Committee (PEC) said, “Polyclinics are designed to make it easier for people to receive better health and social care where and when they need it. I see this new service complementing the GP care that already exists in Hounslow by giving patients additional access to care at times when surgeries maybe closed or difficult to get to.”
GPs at Chiswick Health Centre say there was no consultation, inadequate notice given prior to the closures and patients were frustrated when they turned up for clinics that were no longer being run.
Clinic times for Brentford Health Centre as well as others across the borough can be found here http://www.hounslowpct.nhs.uk/C.A.S.H.html
May 23, 2009
|