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3. HEALTH CENTRES
Discussions were held during the year on the possible need for health centres
at three sites in the Borough. The first concerned a proposed centre in East Acton
Lane, which was considered because redevelopment has necessitated the replacement
of Trinity Way Clinic. The discussions revealed that whilst there was a keen interest
in health centres this site would not be convenient to the general practitioners in
that area. This meeting emphasized a difficulty which will always be encountered
when planning health centres. Local authority clinics are usually situated in the
centre of each of the geographical communities which go to make up the borough.
Rarely does it occur however that such catchment areas coincide with general practitioners'
practices, and a compromise has therefore to be made. More rapid progress
is usually achieved if the unit for planning is in an area covered by a group of
doctors' practices, even if this distribution cuts across communities.
The second possible centre discussed was one in Church Road, Hanwell. A
sufficient number of doctors in the area expressed an interest for a Centre in this
position and in December the Minister of Health approved in principle the Council's
proposal.
Discussions also took place concerning the possibility of adapting Ravenor
Park Clinic to become a health centre, but whilst not ruling out the possibility in the
future, general practitioners in the area did not wish to proceed at the present time.
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