Health News
Relocation of services
Services at St Leonard’s Hospital have started relocating ahead of construction of a new health centre on the Hoxton site.
Staff at the NHS City and Hackney’s headquarters began moving to new homes this month, so work could begin on the South West Primary Care Resource Centre – one of four new health hubs.
The physiotherapy department will operate from 52B Well Street, E9, from 4 May. Community sexual health services, currently at The Ivy Centre, are moving to Shepherdess Walk, N1, in late May. Both services are due to be permanently based in the new centre when it opens in 2012.
The foot health and community dentistry departments will remain at St Leonard’s until next year, when they are set to move to another new building – the South East Primary Care Resource Centre, in Kenworthy Road, E9.
NHS City and Hackney Chief Executive, Jacqui Harvey, said: “The centre is part of our strategy to bring care closer to home for people in our area.
“We appreciate these changes will affect patients using services at St Leonard’s.
“We are communicating to patients through a programme of publicity and advertising, letters and faceto-face contact. Patients can be assured they will receive the same high level of service at these new locations, which are also well serviced by public transport routes.”
The red brick St Leonard’s Hospital building is in a conservation area and its iconic facade on Kingsland Road will be preserved during the redevelopment.
More information
For more info, call PALS on:0800 923 0107, or 020 7683 4453; or email: pals@chpct.nhs.uk
23 April 2010
Pupils get a taste of careers
Students got a taste of the job prospects in health care, during a careers day at Homerton hospital.
The Aim Higher Health Careers Day on 19 March presented a range of career paths in the health sector – other than becoming a doctor or nurse – to encourage Year 9 pupils from Clapton Girls Technology College, Stoke Newington, Cardinal Pole, and Hackney Free & Parochial schools to extend their studies after the age of 16.
Workshops were run by health professionals including dieticians, speech and language therapists, radiologists and audiologists to help the students choose GCSE subjects. There was also the chance to get involved in role-play, such as feeding a patient with swallowing difficulties and dressing those with limited mobility.
Esra Akdag, 14, said: “I found the day funny in parts, but really interesting. I haven’t quite decided what I want to do yet, but I think it will probably be a Diploma in Society, Health and Development.”
The event was organised by Hackney’s education business partnership Inspire!, in association with the Aim Higher Partnership, The Learning Trust and Homerton University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.
For more information about Inspire!’s programmes, call: 020 7275 6060; or visit: www.inspire-ebp.org.uk
23 April 2010
First of its kind
Residents in the North East of the borough can now access extended after hours services, thanks to Hackney’s newest health centre.
The Springfield GP-led Health Centre, which opened on 29 March, is the first of its kind in the borough. Open seven days a week, from 8am to 8pm, the centre in Oldhill Street, N16, offers a walk-in service so patients can avoid going to hospital for injuries or illnesses which are not life-threatening.
GP appointments and walk-in services are available to all, including visitors to Hackney, or people who are not registered with a GP, provided they are eligible for NHS services.
Patients who cannot book a GP’s appointment because of work or other commitments can still take advantage of childhood vaccinations, seasonal flu immunisations, emergency contraception, sexual health advice and stop smoking clinics.
Terilla Bernard, Deputy Director of Primary Care Commissioning at NHS City and Hackney, said:
“We are excited about the new GP-led health centre, and the benefits it will offer to patients in the North East of Hackney. There is a drive to increase access to primary care across England, and the centre is an example of NHS City and Hackney’s commitment to this at a local level.”
The clinic’s services are delivered under NHS City and Hackney, but run by independent healthcare provider, The Lawson Practice. The centre, which is built on the site of the former Oldhill Practice, will continue to treat former patients.
23 April 2010
Page updated: 15 Jun 2010
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