Health Minister Mike O’Brien, today visited North Essex to officially open the 50th fully operational GP health centre in England. The North Colchester Healthcare Centre is already proving popular with local residents and 2,629 patients have visited the centre in its first four weeks. The centre is open from 7am to 10pm, seven days a week, as part of a Government programme to increase access to family doctor services.
The Government committed to opening 152 GP Health Centres and over 100 GP practices in the most poorly served areas and provided extra funding to deliver this. The majority of contracts for these new services have now been awarded to a broad range of providers, with over 50% run by existing GPs either as GP partnerships or in collaboration with the independent sector. In each area, the local NHS chose the provider best able to deliver responsive services to meet the needs of the local community.
People living in North East Essex will be able to use the additional services provided by the centre, while staying registered with their local family doctor. Patients can also choose to register at the centre if they wish to do so and will receive the same high quality services they would receive at any GP practice. As well as increasing access to GP services, the North Colchester Healthcare Centre will provide patients with greater choice, have a strong focus on promoting better health, including information on staying healthy and ensuring everyone has access to the services and care they need, particularly for hard-to-reach groups.
Some of the health checks and treatments on offer at the centre include:
· minor injuries service;
· contraceptive services
· flu immunisation (seasonal).
· asthma
· diabetes
· phlebotomy (blood testing)
· cholesterol (checks)
Health Minister Mike O’Brien said:
“I am delighted to be opening the North Colchester Healthcare Centre today which was the 50th GP Health Centre to open in England. It will make a huge difference in improving access to healthcare for local people.
“Centres like this one are opening up and down the country, complementing services provided by existing practices and are already proving popular with patients, who have told us that they want to be able to see a GP at times convenient to them. The North Colchester Healthcare Centre will offer any member of the public the greater choice and flexibility they want, being able to see a doctor or nurse between 7am and 10pm, seven days a week, while still remaining registered with their own GP or they can choose to register at the centre if they find it more convenient.
“Across North East Essex, over 60% of practices are now offering patients extra appointments in the evenings, early mornings or weekends. This is a great achievement, thanks to the hard work of GPs and their staff.”
Dr Paul Zollinger-Read, Chief Executive of NHS North East Essex said:
“We are confident that the broader range of services offered at the new North Colchester Healthcare Centre, and other patient benefits such as easier parking, closer proximity to other health services and extended opening hours, will be seen as a welcome step forward in improved levels of healthcare.
“We have been delighted with the response of patients attending the centre and have received many favourable comments. The fact the average weekly attendance is more than 100 up on the last month at the old walk-in centre suggests accessibility is not an issue.
“We have an expanding population and this new service will help ensure we continue to provide the best possible health services to the people of North East Essex.”