Forum Topic

Four week wait for a doctor's appointment

This is ridiculous.   When are the powers that be going to wake up and see that they cannot just keep on building more and more flats and not do something about infrastructure?  We need another health centre and we need one quickly.

Caroline Hawkins ● 3072d9 Comments

I think there is an ongoing culture around going to see the doctor (especially by Eastern Europeans) that people dont want to wait for GP appointment, dont understand that there is an Emergency appointment system in place in most practices, so therefore go straight to A & E.  That big walk in clinic in Hounslow was supposed originally to take care of some of this problem, but last time I went there I was told it would be about a four hour wait.  I went straight to West Mid, as there are more options there.  I have spent a great deal of the last five years in and out of A & E, hospital for many reasons, and never ever fail to be amazed about the trivial reasons so many are in A & E for. Grr.  I like the idea of a sort of Triage nurse at GP Surgeries though

Emma Renton ● 3068d

These waiting times only place pressure on A&E units for minor illnesses that should be dealt with by GPs.One solution would be for practices to have a nurse in full time attendance who could vet each patient giving either first aid, sending them to a chemist, fixing a GP appointment or, in extreme cases, referring them to A&E.JL

Jim Linwood ● 3068d

The council have thus far kept pace with the requirements for school places, and plans are in place for the anticipated demands in the coming years.As to health facilities, these are not within the council's gift. Provision was made for GP surgeries within the GWQ development(as I understand it, before my time) but it's up to GPs - who are generally independent contractors - to decide to commence a practice, and none have been forthcoming.I don't know the circumstances of the Manor GP practice but I understand their contract with the NHS Commissioning body has terminated (or will shortly). We have been told that the other practices within the Brentford Health Centre are ready and able to take on all the patients who are currently with Manor.

Guy Lambert ● 3070d

Much as I agree with everything that's been said, the fact remains that provision for new or improved infrastructure is supposed to come from Community Infrastructure Levy, which is currently payable both to the Mayor (with Mayoral CIL all going towards Crossrail) and Local CIL (going towards new/improved infrastructure within the Borough).Hence there is no longer any basis to refuse a planning application on the basis that it doesn't adequate contribute towards local infrastructure.  And CIL isn't negotiable either, with the charging rates for residential development in the eastern part of the Borough being £200 per square metre (local CIL) plus £35 per square metre Mayoral CIL.Given that CIL only came in locally in July 2015, and at Mayoral level in April 2012, I'd hope that in afew years time we will start to see the better infrastructure funded by such CIL contributions.

Adam Beamish ● 3071d

And the council have not planned any infrastructure or health and educational facilities into what is unravelling as a hugely flawed local plan.Quite frankly, this degree of intransigence and ineptitude in any other domain would be sackings and resignations but in this domain it will be the opposite and some will be doing very nicely sooner or later.When is there going to be some gumption from our representatives and policy makers to stop sitting on the fence and blaming others and start actually putting the people already living here first rather than courting more density and developers at various seminars ?

Raymond Havelock ● 3071d

Oh no!!! Seriously? He's been our GP for decades. Only one I truly trust. Gutted

Jane Ansell ● 3071d

Meanwhile construction of the new estate on the Reynard Mills site is well underway. Shall we be waiting months for an appointment soon?

Pat Kingham ● 3071d

And sadly the very wonderful Dr Lane is retiring in a couple of weeks time

Emma Renton ● 3072d

..and meanwhile, The Manor Practice, based in Brentford Health Centre is being closed down at the end of June - an utterly moronic decision!

Mick Brent ● 3072d