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Spelthorne Council is to call a special meeting to review the proposed introduction of a new GP - led Health Centre at Ashford Hospital.
After a lengthy discussion at the Council meeting on 24 July, councillors decided to convene an extraordinary meeting of the Performance Management and Review Committee. Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals Trust and Surrey Primary Care Trust (PCT) will both be invited to the meeting to talk to the committee members and answer questions. The meeting is likely to be in mid September.
It has become very obvious to councillors that there is a lack of understanding as to what this new service, widely thought of as a Polyclinic is; who can use it and there is concern from all parts of the Borough as to the effect it could have on local services. Spelthorne residents do not want to see local services reduced or, worse, cease altogether.
Spelthorne Council’s Chief Executive, Roberto Tambini, has written to Surrey PCT expressing the Council’s concern and its view that the exact nature of the new service at Ashford Hospital should be clarified, and must not be allowed to detract from the excellent GP services currently provided right across the Borough.
The motion to call the meeting was proposed by Councillor Caroline Nichols. An amended motion, unanimously carried was then proposed by Councillor Philippa Broom, who commented; “I can completely understand the reservations of local GPs who have worked hard to establish quality services for patients locally. If there is to be a Polyclinic or other service of that sort at Ashford Hospital, then we would all need reassuring that it would complement existing, and much respected, services and not have a detrimental or diluting effect. The proposed meeting should give everyone some insight into what is proposed and a chance to clear the air. This is vital if we are to allay growing unease and some understandable confusion”.
Details of the public meeting will be advertised in the local papers and on the Council’s website as soon as a date is finalised.
For further information please ring 01784 446297 or 444260.
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