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Chris from Nailsea
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« on: December 11, 2009, 20:55:31 » |
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From the BBC» : NHS walk-in centres near railway stations are not popular with commuters and are a waste of money, say University of Sheffield researchers.
A five-year pilot programme of six centres near stations in London, Newcastle, Manchester and Leeds was set up in 2004 as part of a ^50m programme. But a study has found they are seeing as few as 30 patients a day and cost twice as much as other GP surgeries.
The government said the clinics offered a "valuable service". The commuter walk-in centres were initially funded by the Department of Health as part of an expansion of GP services.
Unlike other nurse-led walk-in centres, the commuter clinics - which open from 0700 to 1900 Monday to Friday - also offer access to a doctor. While they are paid for by the NHS, they are actually run by private health firms.
The Department of Health-funded evaluation found that the clinics were seeing between 33 and 101 patients a day, despite having capacity for 150 to 180 patients. Four of the centres were in a poor location away from the beaten track, the study - reported in the British Journal of General Practice - concluded.
It was estimated that the price per attendance at the clinics was ^33 compared with an estimated ^13 for walk-in centres provided by the NHS. At some centres, the cost per patient was as high as ^62.
Study leader Dr Alicia O'Cathain said the results showed that walk-in centres should be provided by the NHS, rather than private companies. And she added that they needed to be placed near where people work, rather than at train stations. "One of the problems was location, so one for example was near the train station but wasn't on the commuter track and there were very few people who went through that way. At the start and end of the day people are in a rush, but the way that people use walk-in centres is to go in their lunchtime."
She said the contracts, which were paid up-front regardless of the number of patients seen, would not expire until next year. "My conclusion would be I would not go down this route."
Local health trusts have told the BBC they will review the service before the contracts expire over the next year or so.
Professor Steve Field, chairman of the Royal College of GPs, said it was right the scheme was piloted before being rolled out further, but a five-year contract was probably too long. "Access to quality general practice is important, but clearly these pilots have shown this is not an effective use of resources. We still need to look at how we can provide care where patients need it."
A spokesman for the Department of Health said: "It will be for primary care trusts to decide whether to continue providing these services and whether they offer the best value for money. These centres have proved a valuable service to young, mobile patients who we know struggle to access existing GP services."
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William Huskisson MP▸ was the first person to be killed by a train while crossing the tracks, in 1830. Many more have died in the same way since then. Don't take a chance: stop, look, listen.
"Level crossings are safe, unless they are used in an unsafe manner." Discuss.
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ChrisB
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« Reply #1 on: December 13, 2009, 12:37:44 » |
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From the BBC» : NHS walk-in centres near railway stations are not popular with commuters and are a waste of money, It would help if they were signposted properly - anyone actually located the one at Liverpool Street....I spent a good 30 minutes looking for it last time I could have used it - but spectacularly failed to find it. As it isn't actually on the concourse, the station help points couldn't help either. There is just one sign that points in a direction which if you follow it, leads to a dead-end! |
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paul7575
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« Reply #2 on: December 13, 2009, 13:20:09 » |
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Given the contracts are paid whether or not anyone appears for a consultation, maybe the docs go round now and again taking down the signs?  I bet the NHS would be a great place to work if it wasn't for patients showing up... Paul |
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JayMac
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« Reply #3 on: December 13, 2009, 13:21:36 » |
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Given the contracts are paid whether or not anyone appears for a consultation, maybe the docs go round now and again taking down the signs? I bet the NHS would be a great place to work if it wasn't for patients showing up... Paul Bit like the railways.....I'm sure things would run much more smoothly if it weren't for those pesky passengers  |
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"A clear conscience laughs at a false accusation."
"Treat everyone the same until you find out they're an idiot."
"Moral indignation is a technique used to endow the idiot with dignity."
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IndustryInsider
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« Reply #5 on: December 13, 2009, 22:59:26 » |
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There's one in Paddington. Tucked away in the corner of the 'Lawn'.
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To view my GWML▸ Electrification cab video 'before and after' video comparison, as well as other videos of the new layout at Reading and 'before and after' comparisons of the Cotswold Line Redoubling scheme, see: http://www.dailymotion.com/user/IndustryInsider/ |
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Chris from Nailsea
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« Reply #6 on: December 13, 2009, 23:07:32 » |
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Hmm. According to the NHS, their six railway station walk-in centres are at ^Leeds, Headrow ^London, Canary Wharf, ^London, Liverpool Street, ^London, Victoria, ^Manchester, and ^Newcastle However, that's not to say that there isn't one at PAD» , which for some reason doesn't count as a railway one (if you see what I mean)? |
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William Huskisson MP▸ was the first person to be killed by a train while crossing the tracks, in 1830. Many more have died in the same way since then. Don't take a chance: stop, look, listen.
"Level crossings are safe, unless they are used in an unsafe manner." Discuss.
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JayMac
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« Reply #7 on: December 13, 2009, 23:13:01 » |
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According to NHS Direct, the NHS commuter walk-in centres are only near London stations at Victoria and Liverpool Street. The others are also only near, not on, station property. The other on station ones are private clinics run by medicentre. 65 quid a pop for a 15 mins consulation. |
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"A clear conscience laughs at a false accusation."
"Treat everyone the same until you find out they're an idiot."
"Moral indignation is a technique used to endow the idiot with dignity."
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IndustryInsider
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« Reply #8 on: December 13, 2009, 23:26:33 » |
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The other on station ones are private clinics run by medicentre. 65 quid a pop for a 15 mins consulation. Ahh, that'll be the one at Paddington then. |
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To view my GWML▸ Electrification cab video 'before and after' video comparison, as well as other videos of the new layout at Reading and 'before and after' comparisons of the Cotswold Line Redoubling scheme, see: http://www.dailymotion.com/user/IndustryInsider/ |
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johoare
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« Reply #9 on: December 13, 2009, 23:34:16 » |
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Yep.. the more I thought about it the more I realise it must be private..
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ChrisB
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« Reply #10 on: December 14, 2009, 10:02:18 » |
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And it's still there, so must be getting custom!
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Mookiemoo
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« Reply #11 on: December 14, 2009, 11:33:03 » |
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To be honest, I can't see why you would want to use a rail station GP surgery
1. If i'm that sick I don't mind whether I see a stranger or my own GP, then I'm not going to be commuting to work
2. I'm not going to have the rail GP as my own GP since I want one close to my house
3. If its an appointment for other than I'm too sick to work, its probably related to my medical history and I'd want my own GP to look at me as they are the ones that have my history
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Ditched former sig - now I need to think of something amusing - brain hurts -I'll steal from the master himself - Einstein:
"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the the universe."
"Gravitation is not responsible for people falling in love"
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ChrisB
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« Reply #12 on: December 14, 2009, 11:45:40 » |
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That's a very masculine comment......I'm sure women appreciate having one on hand...could save on wasted time.
Also - one might sprain an ankle / wrist by falling over. Personally I'd want the injury seen to before heading home, if necessary.
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moonrakerz
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« Reply #13 on: December 14, 2009, 12:37:06 » |
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Also - one might sprain an ankle / wrist by falling over. Personally I'd want the injury seen to before heading home, if necessary.
Pay 65 quid to be told to go to A & E - ummm ! |
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ChrisB
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« Reply #14 on: December 14, 2009, 12:40:34 » |
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Oh, read this thread!
We are talking about the FREE NHS drop-in centres at / near railway stations...
and you DON'T go to A&E for a sprain.....
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