Forum Health Centre, Wyken, Coventry

BT have advised us that there is a major fault on our telephone lines which means that we are unable to make or receive calls this morning (Thursday) – if you have an urgent problem please call the Out of Hours service on 01926 888 026.

We have just one mobile phone line as a backup, to which all calls to our regular number are being diverted. Hence you are likely to get an engaged tone – please persevere – we shall answer your call just as soon as we can.

IF YOU HAVE A POTENTIALLY LIFE-THREATENING EMERGENCY YOU SHOULD CALL 999
The surgery is open as normal and appointments are available – if you come down to the surgery we will try to get you seen as soon as possible.

It is thought that this may be connected with the re-laying of the gas pipeline on Hipswell Highway.
Normal service restored on Friday 18 July

The Patient Panel for Forum Health Centre met on 7th April, and welcomed a new member and noted the resignation of Mary Jones, one of the founder members for personal reasons.

The main topic of discussion was the issue of opening for extended hours - i.e outside the core hours of 8.00am to 6.30pm. The practice already offers some of the longest opening hours in the city, not closing at lunchtimes or for a half-day. The practice is committed to offering longer hours and more appointments and is looking at a combination of early morning, evening and/or Saturday mornings. This would be for pre-booked appointments only – urgent calls would still be dealt with by the out-of-hours service between 6.30pm and 8.00am Monday – Friday and at weekends.

Formal guidance was still awaited from the Department of Health and Coventry Primary Care Trust, with any new arrangements probably being introduced in the summer.

The Panel also discussed the proposed new Health Centre in Stoke Aldermoor, which was a potentially controversial development prompted by the Government’s wish to see new models of primary care service, using salaried GPs on short-term contracts. There were concerns amongst GPs across the city that this could threaten the relationship between patient and doctor.

We are testing a new approach to trying to meet the needs of patients who want to see a doctor urgently.

As soon as all the regular appointments for the day are taken, we will arrange for the on-call doctor to phone you back later in the morning. The doctor can then talk to you and advise whether

We shall be trying this approach for the next few weeks. If it works it should enable us to offer more appointments when needed, but also provide patients with the opportunity to talk to a doctor quickly.

If it is urgent we will always make sure you can be seen by a doctor.

Remeber our nursing team can deal with many issues very effectively, and that you do not necessarily need an appointment with a GP for repeat prescriptions or for repeat sick notes. If in doubt, talk to the receptionists who are there to help!

An interesting article in the Independent on Sunday (20.4.08) about the current controversy over Government plans to create “Super clinics” which would accommodate up to 25 GPs and other services.

Whilst nothing on this scale is currently proposed in Coventry, many doctors think that similar developments could have an impact on the way that primary care is delivered, to the detriment of many patients.

Ministers argue that the traditional family doctor of the 1940s, epitomised by the 1960s TV series Dr Finlay’s Casebook, does not suit the modern needs of the NHS. Super-surgeries will include services currently only offered in hospitals such as minor surgery, diabetes screening and sexual health clinics, as well as access to traditional GPs and practice nurses.

But critics fear polyclinics will attract large private companies who can outbid local GPs. Union leaders accuse the government of privatisation by stealth and are planning to fight the moves.

GPs fear for their relationship with patients, claiming polyclinics will employ more salaried doctors who are unlikely to stay and work in one place for as long as partners in a local practice, many of whom spend a lifetime attached to one surgery. And while younger, “healthier” people are most concerned about easier access to doctors, patients with long-term conditions such as diabetes, asthma and depression, place greater value on seeing a doctor they know.

Dr Anthony Halperin, chairman of the Patients Association, warned last week: “We are concerned the personal contact with a GP will be lost within a poly-clinic because another layer of treatment is being introduced.”

Chronically ill patients and the elderly, who are the biggest users of GP services, would prefer to wait a day and see a doctor who knows their history, argue patient groups. And older and disabled people could be unwittingly excluded from the new clinics because they are too far away and difficult to get to.

The Patient Panel last met on 16th January 2008, and amongst the issues discussed were:-
Staff Name Badges – all reception staff are now wearing name badges and phones are answered with the receptionist’s name – both to personalise the service, and so that if there is a query, complaint or compliment the patient knows who he/she spoke to.
Information Screen in Waiting Room – Paul from the Patient Panel had seen a demonstration of the system, and we have agreed to proceed. There is no cost to the practice or NHS.
Blood TestsIt was noted that under the PCT’s new scheme, blood tests would be available every morning between 8.00am and 11.00am at Forum Health Centre, undertaken by our own staff. Bloods will be undertaken by appointment only.
Patient Survey ResultsThe results of the latest survey were circulated and it was noted that they showed a sllight improvement over previous years. Concerns about the telephone and appointment systems were raised, and about waiting times in surgery. The practice manager reported that these issues would be discussed with the GPs, and that it was hoped to install air conditioning in the waiting room to make the area more comfortable during the summer.
Opening HoursThe practice manager reported that the surgery is now open from 8.00am to 6.30pm Monday-Friday, except for Bank Holidays.

The next meeting will be on Monday 7th April, and will consider extended hours opening.

If you would be interested in contacting or becoming part of the Patient Panel, let us know and we shall pass your enquiry on the the Chairman – admin.m86014@nhs.net. Membership is confined to registered patients with the Forum Health Centre. The practice finds it a useful way of getting feedback and ideas to improve our services, and whilst it does not get involved in individual complaints, it can raise issues of general concern.

We now have a new information screen in the waiting room which provides messages about appointments etc with information about local health services and pharmacies and some health messages.

This has been provided at no cost to the NHS

UPDATE: FARREN ROAD HAS RE-OPENED (21 FEBRUARY 2008)

As from Monday 4 February 2008, Farren Road will be closed at the junction with Hipswell Highway.

Access to the Health Centre will be from the other end of Farren Road via Hocking Road. Our car park will be unaffected – but please allow a few minutes to follow the diversion which will be clearly marked.

View Larger Map

You can view/download or print a copy of the location and timings for blood tests across Coventry (including Forum Health Centre) starting on Monday 28 January 2008 HERE

From 28 January 2008 Forum Health Centre will be able to offer appointments for blood-taking every morning from 8.00am to 11.00am. The service will be provided on an appointment only basis.
Patients will need a proper request form from their Practice or hospital doctor, and the service is open to patients from any practice.

From 6th December 2007 the Well Baby Clinic will be moving to WYKEN CROFT NURSERY at WYKEN CROFT SCHOOL.
Times: Wednesdays 1.00pm – 3.30pm
Thursdays 9.00am – 12.00 noon