On 21 May 2017 at 1:26am Fairmeadow wrote:
Anyone else go to the NHS consultation put on by the local GPs at King's Church this afternoon?
The plan is to merge the three Lewes practices to creat a new health hub in the new North Street development, to serve 30,000 patients with about 18 GPs, and close the three existing practices. One of the pharmacies will move in with them. The receptionists will be re-trained, so they will be able to decide whether you can see a GP or whether you will be better off seeing a nurse, paramedic, physio, pharmacist or mental health professional.
All depends, or course, on the new North Street Quarter actually getting built at some date in the future. The start of work there seems to be as far away now as it was this time last year..
On 21 May 2017 at 7:39am Patient wrote:
That's interesting - is there anything online anywhere that I can read up about this?
Sounds like I should have gone myself.
On 21 May 2017 at 7:45am Old Malling wrote:
I wonder if it will be any easier to get an appointment. The old buildings won't necessarily be easy to fill - maybe they could knock River Lodge down and put back the adventure playground 
On 21 May 2017 at 8:16am lewes resident wrote:
It's a great shame Lewes is losing it's individuality, as patients we will all become just a number.
On 21 May 2017 at 10:39am Delay wrote:
North Street development delayed start. Not sure when they will start the ground work. No comment from either the developers or the Council on what the situation is. It is possible that finances are not fully committed or withdrawn. Someone will know. Our GPS do an amazing job against all the pressures they are under. As super GP facility is no guarantee of improvements for the people.
On 21 May 2017 at 11:59am Jeremy Hunt wrote:
Running this new place will be a brilliant opportunity for an enterprising organisation with an interest in business development.
I can't wait to see it put out to tender.
On 21 May 2017 at 12:04pm Jeremy Hunt wrote:
And another thought ...
Why not relocate the walk-in clinics currently available at the Vic? Co-locate with the new GP super-surgery and sell the Victoria Hospital site for more lucrative purposes? Housing might be an option .
On 21 May 2017 at 12:06pm Meic wrote:
I understand the plan is for the three practices to remain separate, but to share a purpose built and properly fit for purpose health centre. I cannot speak for the other practices, but St Andrew's now has twice the number of registered patients it had when the practice moved to its current premises.
On 21 May 2017 at 12:22pm Jeremy Hunt wrote:
Meic's model of three independent practices sharing premises is a tried and tested one. It retains the benefit that each GP practice remains as a separate business. This will also help our future plans for what I shall call "business development".
On 21 May 2017 at 12:23pm North Street Neighbour wrote:
If you want updates on the work at North Street check below. As I understand it demolition will start in Summer/Autumn. In order to clear the entire phase One site they have to complete the Malling Brooks buildings first.
Check it out here »
On 21 May 2017 at 1:12pm Patient wrote:
Concentrating GPs? What new access roads are planned for all this new traffic? Will there be a new river crossing? A flyover somewhere?
On 21 May 2017 at 3:13pm Fairmeadow wrote:
Good question, Meic, and one I asked.
The response was that there would be a single huge practice of 30,000 patients for the town & surrounding area, but that the patients would be grouped into six 'hubs' of 5,000 each, with each hub having its own set of (presumably 3) GPs.
One of the hubs would be based at Anchor Field, Ringmer, but the other five at the new centre. You would normally see one of "your own" GPs for scheduled appointments, but emergency matters and urgent appointments on the day would be handled by any practice doctor, as available (which seems fair enough to me).
There was a rather unformed suggestion that there might a GP presence at the walk-in centre at Lewes Victoria. It would obviously extend that centre's range if there was, and might reduce some pressure on A&E. It would also enable the practice to say it was offering a 7-day service while having the main centre's doors firmly shut at the weekend.
On 21 May 2017 at 4:49pm info wrote:
North Street Neighbour, I see what you say, but i understand that the ground work was due last quarter of 2017, regardless of the malling brooks development.
On 21 May 2017 at 6:37pm Fireman Sam wrote:
I wondered where the fire station was moving to. I guess we should be grateful that we still have one.
On 21 May 2017 at 7:42pm Fairmeadow wrote:
I understood the Fire Service was moving to Springman House, on the corner of North Street and Lancaster Street. Maybe wrong, but that was the last I heard. It would be good to have them above the flood plain.
On 21 May 2017 at 7:43pm David wrote:
The NHS has to save money so colocation might be a good idea. We are very happy with the service at St Andrews especially since they put appointments on line but their big advatnage is that you can usually park nearby and if not you can resort to the station car park. So for me the success of a new super surgery whihc most people would have to travel further for would be lots of 30 minute max parking or a dedicated car park with a token from the receptionist needed to get out - like the leisure centre is supposed to have(!).
On 21 May 2017 at 8:26pm The Old Mayor wrote:
30 mins slots ??? I've sat and waited nearly an hour in St Andrews once ! Pay as you leave car parks, are exactly what we need, that way it's less stress. Plus you have to be very lucky to get a parking space around the surgery.
On 26 May 2017 at 9:17pm LewesGal wrote:
Interesting is this documented online? I really like school hill surgery, hope changes wouldn't affect same day appointments as they are so useful.
On 2 Nov 2017 at 4:39pm the people wrote:
Don't get over excited as its going to be several years before we see this being established. The development is 2-3 years behind and now with the interest rate rising and further rises over next 18 months the original business case may not be viable. Not sure if the Council obtained any assurances over funding when they gave the go ahead for the development. So at best will be 2020 before Phase 1 is completed.