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32
For over ten years after the opening of tne John Scott Health Centre
little interest was shown by general medical practitioners in using health
centre accommodation and the "experiment" was not repeated. The Government's
decision with regard to the payment of the rent for general practitioners'
accommodation, however, has aroused fresn interest, and tnere is now in Hackney
a number of projects in various stages of planning ana consideration.
The project wnich is nearest to fruition is the Somerford Grove Health
Centre which it is proposed will replace the West Hackney Maternal and Child
Health Centre, at present held in a church nail. It is anticipated that the
Minister's approval of the plans and loan sanction for the erection of this
Duilding will oe received Defore the end of 1968. Tne centre will provide
accommodation for maternal and child nealtn clinics, chiropody, family planning,
health education, school health including dental nealth, general medical practice
for a group of four practitioners, and general dental practice for one
practitioner. It is hoped that this centre will come into operation at the
beginning of 1971.
Other nealth centres in process of planning are sited as follows:-
1. Albion Road, Stoke Newington (to replace the existing maternal and
child health centre, Barton House).
2. Fountayne Road (to replace the maternal and child health centre at
Upper Clapton Road.
3. De Beauvoir Town, N. 1., (new provision).
4. The Baths Site, Lower Clapton Road (to replace maternal and child
nealth centre, Lower Clapton Road).
The erection of tnese centres as 'health centres' is dependent upon the
demand from general medical and dental practitioners, but it is considered that
the interest already expressed at various meetings held to discuss the subject,
is sufficient to indicate that in due course, and subject to all necessary consents,
these health centres will become reality.
Well-planned and equipped waiting, consultation, examination and ancillary
service accommodation, properly staffed and maintained, is of benefit to both
patient and doctor, and a centre providing such accommodation side by side with
local authority services and possibly out-patient treatment facilities, would
appear to be the ideal provision.
Such a centre, must, of course, be properly sited according to the
needs of the neighbourhood and my candid opinion is that to ensure the
fullest benefit it is prerequisite that the medical practitioners should
form a group practice and integrate to the fullest possible extent with
tne other services provided at the centre.
Given all these considerations and the fullest co-operation of all
concerned, a health centre should provide the service which the public expects
and has a right to demand.