Thursday’s Safer and Stronger meeting to hear presentation from NHS representative
Local people are being invited to share their views on the future of Patchway Clinic in Thirlmere Road [map] following rumours that it might be closed after some of the services it offers were transferred to the new Patchway (Severnvale) Hub.
The Hub, which opened in September 2011, brings together a number of agencies that work with children and families and represents a major investment by South Gloucestershire Council (SGC) and NHS South Gloucestershire (NHSSG).
NHSSG says it is now undertaking a review of the way services are delivered at other locations in the Severnvale area, specifically at the Filton and Patchway Clinics.
It had previously been decided to close Filton Clinic but that decision was “suspended” in August 2011 after NHSSG admitted it had failed to carry out the appropriate public consultation. The latest announcement suggests that Patchway Clinic might also be under threat of closure.
This Thursday’s meeting of the Patchway Safer and Stronger Communities Group, held at St Chad’s Church (7pm start), will hear Paul Frisby (NHSSG Community Development and Partnerships) give a presentation on the “review of Patchway Clinic”.
During February and March, NHSSG says it will be talking to agencies and organisations that can represent the views of residents:
“Local people tell us that the clinic is important and they want to keep it. So this is the time for you to tell us about what services should be provided locally.”
“It’s important that you let your local Councillor know your views, so that they can represent you. You can also contact Southern Brooks Community Partnership, who will be one of the voluntary sector organisations involved in the consultation.”
Proposals coming out of the review process will be presented to SGC’s Health Scrutiny Committee in March. Should the Committee decide that any of the proposals represent a “substantial variation”, a formal public consultation would then follow.
Services currently provided at the clinic include family planning, mother and baby, sexual health for under 21s, drop-in methadone, chiropody, drop-in advice from North Bristol Advice Centre, children’s eye-screening/audiology/paediatricians and a ‘No Worries’ young people’s clinic.
The South Gloucestershire Teenage Pregnancy Partnership also runs a weekly session at the clinic.
More info: Agenda for Thursday’s Safer and Stronger meeting [PDF]
