Sunday 25 August 2013

We're Back

After a long absence the Forum is back networking for the good of our local community.

One of the first issues we need to explore is the local management of our NHS clinics, specifically Bromley-by-Bow Health Centre.

Why, for instance:
  1. are we forced to use an expensive 0844 telephone number to contact the Clinic - the income presumably accruing to the clinic each time we are kept on hold when we call? How much has the Centre earned from this income stream?
  2. does the Clinic regularly close for 'Staff Training'. What justification is there for this? Does the local Police Station close, or Fire Station?
  3. does the Clinic close every day for 'lunch'.
This really needs explaining. 

The wait time for incoming calls has to be addressed. This is not an impossible task. 

Frankly, if the Ward community pursued a local Parish/Community status under the Localism Act, we would explore the cost/benefits of charging patients (e.g.) £1.00 per visit. This is a nominal amount but would help to reduce completely unnecessary calls by the community on the limited resources and add much needed income to the local clinics coffers to improve service levels.