A few months ago, I needed to visit the Purley GP Hub. I rang NHS 111, but on ringing them I was unable to obtain an appointment at the Purley Hub and was re-directed to New Addington which is much further away from where I live. Over the years, I'm aware that there have also been ad-hoc complaints from residents that they have been unable to walk-in and get an appointment.
I know Chris Philp has been tenacious in securing commitments from the NHS that residents can walk-in and has received this in writing from Matthew Kershaw, Chief Executive of the Croydon NHS.
Following the issues that I faced, I made representations with the local NHS with Chris cited. I received a helpful reply that I'm happy to share with residents. In this representation, I asked for confirmation that residents can access the Purley GP Hub by walking in, asked why some residents are being told that they need to call 111 and that any Croydon resident can be offered an appointment at Purley, if they want this option over New Addington or another GP Hub.
I was advised that NHS 111 have sight of all hub appointments for all of their sites and that NHS111 should be giving available options where the patient would like to go. I have been assured that NHS 111 Health Advisers should be seeking agreement from each patient as to their onward referral destination, and that if Purley has appointments at the time of the patients' call then that choice should be honoured. Any issues on this should be sent to ppg.feedback@[email protected].
Helpfully, like Chris, I received confirmation that the GP Hubs do accept walk-in patients - should a walk-in patient have an immediate need. I was told that they will be triaged and seen by a clinician on-site in a timeframe appropriate to their condition. Should a walk-in patient be clinically well enough, they will be offered the next available appointment, and will be free to return later in the day. Patients should, however, be advised that a more convenient approach, should they have future need, would be to call NHS111 where they would receive a timed appointment and avoid the potential inconvenience of a long wait.
GP Hubs do not accept booking of appointments via telephone call, only via NHS 111 and and GP Hub appointments are bookable on the day only.
Chris has also published the list of services at the Hub which can be found at https://www.chrisphilp.com/new-services-at-purley-hospital/.
I hope this information is helpful.
Cllr Samir Dwesar
