Charlotte Newton TWO GP practices in Crouch End are to consult patients on whether they should move into the new polyclinic, the Broadway has learned. Haringey Teaching Care Trust announced this week that the Queenswood Medical Practice in Park Road and t

Charlotte Newton

TWO GP practices in Crouch End are to consult patients on whether they should move into the new polyclinic, the Broadway has learned.

Haringey Teaching Care Trust announced this week that the Queenswood Medical Practice in Park Road and the Crouch End Health Centre in Middle Lane will consult patients about the proposed move during the next eight weeks.

John Harwood, practice manager at the Queens Wood Practice, said leaflets would be handed out to patients this week, informing them of the plan and seeking their views.

Mr Harwood, 61, added: "The plan, which is subject to consultation, is that the Queenswood Practice and the surgery in Middle Lane will jointly move into the new polyclinic and operate from the first floor.

"We will be giving out leaflets informing patients of the proposed move and seeking their views. Any feedback they give us will be passed onto the TCPT."

The news has come is a relief to residents in Muswell Hill, who feared they may have to travel further to see their GP if they moved into the new centre.

Janet Shapiro, of Connaught Gardens, said: "It's a relief the doctors who are nearby look set to be going in because it means patients will not have to travel long distances to see their GP. But I still have reservations about the consultation process because the strategy is being forced through to centralise GP practices. We have been trying to get the TPCT to engage meaningfully with us from the start, with little success."

The polyclinic, due to open at Hornsey Hospital in Park Road in June, will be a "one stop shop" where patients will be able to receive treatment for a range of ailments under one roof - such as MRI scans, blood tests and speech therapy for children.

Mr Harwood said the seven partners at the Queenswood surgery were largely in favour of the move because of the improved facilities.

He said: "My impression is that doctors are generally pleased because our current building is not very comfortable for patients. We've had problems with flooding from the flats above and the building is south facing so it gets very hot in the summer.

"The new health centre at Hornsey Hospital is of a very high standard and services will be much more centralised, with physiotherapy and x-rays. The provision of services is also going to be a considerable improvement on what is available at the moment and it will be open seven days a week."

A TPCT spokesperson at NHS Haringey said: "GPs will begin to consult with their patients whether they should move into the newest healthcare facility, Hornsey Neighbourhood Health Centre, which is in the same neighbourhood as the existing practices. GPs at The Queenswood Practice in Clocktower Medical Centre, Hornsey Park Road and Dr Henderson and Partners in Crouch End Medical Centre, Middle Lane will start the eight-week consultation this month."

Patients in the rest of West Haringey will be consulted on the services which are to be provided in the new polyclinic in April and June, she said.

An independent patient interest organisation called Health Link will hold a public meeting on Tuesday (February 10) to announce the findings on the earlier area workshops for the new health centre. These outcomes will be presented for discussion and GPs will give their views on the new centre.

The meeting is open to all those benefiting from the Hornsey Centre and will take place from 6.30-9pm at Highgate Wood School, Montenotte Road, Crouch End.