NHS South Gloucestershire’s review of services at Filton and Patchway clinics has concluded that both facilities and clinics should remain open and that the PCT (Primary Care Trust) will seek to expand the number of services provided there.
Currently, only two thirds of the space at Patchway Clinic, and three quarters at Filton, is being used – according to an NHS press statement released today.
Paul Frisby, Joint Commissioning Manager for Community Development & Partnerships at NHS South Gloucestershire, said:
“We have taken the decision to keep both Patchway and Filton clinics open, but we will be seeking to boost the number of services available as there are currently rooms that are not being utilised.”
“We do want both clinics to be thriving facilities that offer a greater range of facilities to local people. We will be attending local events throughout February to hear what local people and groups would like to see made available.”
Representatives from NHS South Gloucestershire will be attending the following events:
- Filton Town Council on Tuesday 28th February at 7.30pm
- Southern Brooks Area Forum on Tuesday 13th March at 7pm
- Patchway Town Council on Tuesday 10th April at 7:30pm
In addition, NHS South Gloucestershire will be holding open day events at Filton Clinic in March. These dates are currently being arranged but will be widely advertised nearer the time.
Speaking at last month’s meeting of the Patchway Safer and Stronger Group, Mr Frisby revelaed that South Gloucestershire Council’s plans for the construction of 6,000 new homes in the Cribbs Causeway and Patchway areas had influenced the decision, saying:
“It would be a short-sighted decision to close the [Patchway] clinic given the projected increase of 20,000 in the population of this area by 2021.”
The future of Patchway Clinic had been thrown into doubt last year after children’s services provided there were transferred to the new Patchway Hub.
NHS South Gloucestershire had previously announced the closure of Filton Clinic but that decision was “suspended” in August 2011 after the organisation admitted it had failed to carry out the appropriate public consultation.
Good to hear – but it is surprising about the respective levels of occupancy about both sites. Let’s hope that both buildings can be utilised as efficiently as possible.