Story & photo:Graham Jones
The threat to funding at Page Hall Medical Centre may be lessened, as the Clinical Commissioning Group has confirmed that the practice will be considered as a “special case” and that they may commission some of the Centre’s services.
A Parliamentary Select Committee on Health visited the Medical Centre in November to find out more about how the loss of the surgery would affect people in the area. After a film, presentation and case studies showing the impact of cuts, they talked with staff, patients and a Healthwatch representative.
Fifteen GPs from around the country who have submitted cases to the enquiry were also present. They explained that they love their jobs, but have grave concerns about unmanageable workloads, patient safety and falling morale amongst GPs.
Members of the Health Committee were well informed, keen to hear suggestions and seemed to grasp the key messages. The Page Hall practice has already suffered a devastating hit through changes to GP funding; the traditional GP funding formula does not take sufficient account of deprivation and the needs of non-English speakers who make up a large proportion of Page Hall’s patients.
Immediate action is needed to tackle the interim funding crisis and the long-term security of services.