Forum Topic

Mattock lane Clinic - OPEN Meeting

Ealing Primary Care Trust has organised an OPEN Public Meeting at Ealing Town Hall on Tuesday (Tomorrow) evening between 5.30pm and 8pm .Its FREE and OPEN to all concerned patients and residents.

Jim Wong ● 6166d17 Comments

Its a brand new department store hastily being redesigned - for what precisely other than grouping GP`s? Who can list the new primary care facilities?I reiterate the hospitals need relief from pressure on A & E so it would make sense having minor surgical units throughout the borough to service the walking wounded, beyond the normal GP capability.I`m afraid I don`t buy into major grouping to fill acquired space which may in fact lead to a lot of problems and wastage whereas we are used to visiting specialised clinics when the need arises.Examples would be Family Planning/Baby/Breast Screening/Chiropody/Dental/STD.I`m not surprised "Mr.Daniel" was incognito and sharp of Jim to notice him; but they obviously think they can lever a change of use out of the council`s planning set-up and can see a better return than with the department store. I was hoping somebody might have a shot at the finance involved because it looks financially driven rather than with genuine new primary healthcare provision.

Robert Darke ● 6158d

How come there is no more postings on this???Did the attendees know that "Mr Daniel" was sitting at the back of the room at the meeting and said nothing.as there was questions about why Daniels decided not to returning to its original site.

Jim Wong ● 6158d

Robert,You seem to have missed a lot of the detail information at the beginning of the meeting and the display on show.It does have good disable access (front and rear) and parking (at rear).It is a brand new facility.There is no point in expanding the exsiisting site, as it would be too costly and disruptve to the patients and staff.I do agreed with you that moving to a leasehold property may not make sense, butthe alternative under the current f=inancial structure (Central Government)means that it is the one and only viable option. Didn't you raised concerned before at a tram meeting about traffic congestions, well this option would encourage more public transport than remaining in Mattock Lane and more accessible to patients.The consideration has always been what is best for the patients and not about other factors (historical and personal).What would you suggest as an alternative, that is really viable and practicalble?

Jim Wong ● 6164d

Ed, Yes it is difficult to see the whole picture and I certainly havn`t seen one painted! Maybe I`ve expected more from the specialist clinics whereas this is becoming a concentration of GP`s with add-ons, with EalingPCT filling space rather than having a convincing formula, but will bear the German model in mind. The proposed 12 GPs will mostly be bringing established practices with them plus coping with increased population in the West Ealing area. A key consideration is alleviating pressure on Ealing Hospital particularly A & E and many are doing their bit with cholestral reduction on Simvastatin!    The Daniels location (no bus service from South Ealing) is poor and probably eye-wateringly expensive on a 25 year lease when the rent-free Mattock Lane Clinic could easily be modernised or rebuilt. Amazing how other buildings sprout storeys but one or two are out of the question here! The Laurel House Baby Clinic was sold and maybe others have been too. I doubt very much that it will emulate German value for money by occupying a prime site.    As population pressure keeps building there will be a clearcut need for another hospital - a West Mid ward I experienced was very cramped, Ealing hasn`t Cardiac surgical capability and no doubt others can add to this.                    

Robert Darke ● 6164d

Robert, I'm not sure you're seeing the whole picture.Firstly, your view of the location is somewhat at odds with the fact that it's very well served by a number of  bus routes, just round the corner from West Ealing station and is less than 10 minutes stroll from Ealing Broadway. I accept that the uxbridge road is busy and noisy, but that doesn't necessarily mean it will be noisy inside given that adjacent properties aren't and there are residential units above. Secondly, your suggesting of augmenting existing GP services wouldn't necessarily drive better care for local people either. Many GPs in Ealing are working from outdated facilities and provide rudimentary care at best - clinical evidence clearly shows that in Primary Care, the bigger the facility the better the clinical outcomes due to more consistent ways of working and more GP partners specialising in more conditions. This is the model that Germany established many years ago - their clinical outcomes in Primary Care are substantially better than ours, despite us spending more on Primary Care.

Ed Yelland ● 6164d

Jim, Its quite amusing how vague the perceived improvements are. The location is obviously extremely poor for invalids to attend on a busy, noisy, congested main road location - even Ealing Hospital is set a fair way back from a non-congested stretch of main road and in a much healthier position. (remember HEALTH)    There is obviously a demand for increased primary care away from an overloaded hospital but a good deal of this is delivered by GP`s perhaps 80 or 90 per cent with nurses or other facilities backing them up spread throught the community and complemented by pharmacies.    The fundamental "improvement" is moving a cluster of GP`s into Daniels who could easily be dispersed throughout the community - South Ealing, Gordon Road and so on. There is very little talk of added services which should really be key to new investment.    It strikes me a huge amount of money is going to be wasted when all thats required is to uprate Mattock Lane, a discreet, quieter, excellent site for unwell patients or with problems.    Ealing PCT must wise up before this white elephant scheme results in another bottom position on Healthcare surveys or will you be unable to stop the headlong rush by the finanacial gurus?

Robert Darke ● 6164d

Robert you have missed most of the earlier presentations about what is being provided on top of the exsisting services at Mattock Lane HC currently.What most attendeees also seem to have missed or failed to realised what they are getting:1) A brand new building with a lot more facilities and spces.2) A high street location with good public transport links3) Almost the same number of car parking spaces as before (subect to planning restrains-beyond EPCT control)4) No closure of exsisting services5) On site testings without going elsewhereWhat almost everyone were focussing on is the car parking, which Ealing PCT have no controll over. Do "local" patients REALLY needs to drive to their "local" GP/Clinic? There was a lady ther claiming that it would take her 10 minutes to drive to Mattock Lane, that tells me she is not so "local". By right the GP can remove her from their list, as my own GP of 30 yrs did when I moved outside their "catchment" area. Fact is that GP are still obilgated to visit patients who are not so mobile, its all part of their service contract conditions.FACT that in these days of global warming, some of the people attended who I have seen complainimng about the "traffic congestion" at tram meetings are now voicing concerns over lack of car parking. What are they campaigning for?? Cars or no cars???Also fact that Mattock Lane HC is being used fully during the daytime, however even when its is used in the evening with the sexual health clinics it is still quite packed.Yes you could extend it in to the car park, but than you loose the car parking spaces. Yes you could knock it down and rebuild it, but look at the cost and the disruptions.Is there another better option??? NO (IMHO).Are you getting a BETTER and NEWER place, YES (IMHO)!Are you lossing anything with the relocation, NO you are not!Instead of just complaining about everything going, lets provide a better and vaiable alternative(s) instead (if any)? I would really like to hear from any of last night's attendees who could come up with something better.

Jim Wong ● 6164d

"No. Only another sub-continent, the Indian one if you are in Ealing Hospital."That's not surprising Graham; the esteemed Ealing Hospital is in one of Britain's largest settlements of our friends from the Indian sub-continent that is sunny Southall. Is it perhaps that you'd be concerned about being surrounded my so many of the good Patels, Singhs and Aluwaliahs of this world?  After all, if we attended a hospital in deepest Devon, we'd be surrounded(and possibly serenaded) by the scrumpy guzzling Worzels of this world - no probs! We'd be a real pair of crockles us!  ;-)

Gerry Tan ● 6164d

"Visiting the hospital IS like visiting another planet."No. Only another sub-continent, the Indian one if you are in Ealing Hospital.

Graham Weeks ● 6164d

I actually think that Time is a great deal of their problem.For the majority of the working public having to take a day off work to attend a hospital appointment is totally bizarre.  Then when you have already waited patiently - yes patiently - marooned for hours out of contact with the rest of the world worrying whether the life you left behind under temporary management is running smoothly - you can be told that they don't know why you're there - perhaps you have been called to the wrong clinic - but since you are there maybe it would be a good idea to have a scan.  Off you go orienteering to find that department to find that no, you can't have a scan you can only hand the piece of paper requesting one in.  Hello Kafka.  It is inconceivable that this was what was intended - you can only assume that one part of the hospital has no idea how another part works. People stick out the stressful conditions simply because they are trying to get a problem resolved and they know that should they leave without jumping through all the hoops set out the difficulty in resolving it is likely to increase. If they could have fixed it themselves - they would have done - ages ago!  We can't all do everything, all of the time. Visiting the hospital IS like visiting another planet. I definitely see why some facilities are needed closer to Earth.

Philippa Bond ● 6164d

Agree the timing was peculiar but managed an early meal and turned up at seven. To my surprise the venue was in a fairly cramped mezzanine area rather than the melee and chaos of the previous NHS meeting at the town hall.Panel members were Philip Portwood Non-Exec Director                  Rochelle Bloch  Astn Director of Services                  David Slegg    Director of Finance                  Geoff Easton    LIFT Local Improvement                                  Finance Trust                  Dr Soldini      GP Partner                  Richard Hind    Studioran LtdAlthough having missed a theoretical one and a half hours the last hour consisted of a fair amount of questions and rhetoric from the floor which was good although there is an underlying fait accompli about the arrangements and you get the impression its all finance and not much idea of practical reality.Why they are talking of adding services to a nucleus of GP practices which can easily be dispersed throughout residential areas is difficult to understand although there is a necessity for clinical services. The strange thing is that Mattock Lane has always struck me as being under utilised, although a far superior site, and the purpose built Laurel House baby clinic was closed a few years ago.

Robert Darke ● 6165d

Drat it. I forgot about it!

Graham Weeks ● 6165d

Even if it was high on my agenda and I had had heard about it in plenty of time - it would still be difficult. Most people can't afford to just take time off work like that.

Philippa Bond ● 6165d

Jim, Is there a timed programme with a lecture or slides showing alternatives with Marie Pemberton taking questions from the platform - or will it have a different format?

Robert Darke ● 6165d

I don't know the reasons for having it between 5.30-7.30pm, but does it provent anyone who are that concern about this important issue NOT to attend and than later complaining about NOT being "consulted".Look EPCT are trying hard to be open and transparent, which is more than I could say about other health providers at times. Give them their dues and williness to engaing the public. Did you know that they don't have to do this open meeting. The fact that they are shows that they are willing to listen and discuss.My partner works in the City and she can be there by 6pm tonight. So whats the problem??If they have the meeting starting at 7pm, people will still be complaining citing that its too late or once they arrive home, they don't want to get out again.If it is that important to you, than make the effort!If there is a "WILL" there is a "WAY".

Jim Wong ● 6165d

Or is it that PCT employees do not want a late night?

Graham Weeks ● 6165d

Who is this meeting aimed at attracting?It is not scheduled at a time to suit most working residents - who surely are amongst the greatest number to use the Health Centre?Is it that they don't want input from anybody else? 

Philippa Bond ● 6165d