NHS Kingston must reconsider GP-led health centre at Gosbury Hill

Helen Whately, Conservative Parliamentary Candidate, and Maundy Todd, Conservative Council Candidate for Chessington North, are calling on NHS Kingston to reconsider the location of the GP-led health centre planned for Gosbury Hill in Hook.

Working with local patient representatives, Helen Whately and the Conservative Team have distributed a survey to residents to make up for lack of consultation by the PCT. Analysis of over 100 responses so far reveals widespread opposition to the PCT’s plans. While residents on balance think developing and improving access to local NHS services would be a good thing, they are overwhelmingly against the proposed site. Parking is the primary concern, followed by safety.

Survey results so far:

- 33% expect to use the new GP led Health centre.

- 80% think the centre will have a detrimental effect on the local community, mainly due to congestion and lack of parking space in residential roads. Some residents are worried about safety from an influx of people from outside the Borough or drug-users.

- 89% are unhappy with the choice of Gosbury Hill and think the centre would be better placed elsewhere. Most suggest Merritt Gardens as an alternative location. Other suggestions include sites of closer to shopping areas and public transport routes.

- 80% want the PCT to hold a public consultation before any change of use

Helen Whately said; “NHS Kingston needs to address residents concerns about the health centre’s location, or think again. Their approach has been extraordinary, totally overlooking the importance of local views. Improved access to GPs, particularly at evenings and weekends, is badly needed but there are plenty of ways to achieve this without imposing a new clinic on Gosbury Hill”.

Maundy Todd, Conservative council candidate for Chessington North, said; “The residents who live near the proposed ‘walk in clinic’ at Gosbury Hill deserve better than to be treated as a troublesome nuisance over its imposition on their community. NHS Kingston made a surprise announcement in December 09 saying it would open in April 2010. The PCT have since met, reluctantly, with residents and seem surprised that people are cross.’

Colin Dance Chairman of the Orchard Practice Patient Participation Group said; “ The 8000 patients we represent continue to be treated in old, dirty and cramped facilities which NHS Kingston has previously acknowledged are unfit for use. Over the past 6 years we have repeatedly asked them for improvements and to be allowed to expand into the Hook clinic building which they now propose to hand over to Malling Health for the walk-in centre, leaving our surgeries still to be re-developed. NHS Kingston promotes themselves as 'Communicating openly and with integrity' - 'Treating others as we would wish to be treated' and ' Keeping people at the centre of everything we do'. NHS Kingston need to start abiding by these values that they are committed to.”

Return to Main News