Ms Hamlyn,
As you are aware I was nominated, and subsequently elected, to represent the interests of patients served by the Garway rd medical centre at the last Patient meeting. It is with this in mind that I am contacting you to convey the grave concerns that I have regarding your decision not to propose any alternative dates for the Vacant Practice Panel meeting. Given the overwhelming support that I received from the patients I feel that it is only proper that I am given every opportunity to execute my duties as their representative.
Furthermore, it was agreed at said Patient meeting that the Vacant Practice Panel would consist of three patients’ representatives and three PCT appointed members but I understand that this is no longer the case. I believe that the revised composition of the panel will hinder our attempts to successfully resolve this issue as it clearly fails to provide an equitable representation for the Garway rd tender. The presence of Mr Jenkins and Mr Wheeler is an issue of continuing unease given their vociferous and oft-repeated opposition to the Garway rd proposal.
By lowering the value of the GP contract you are apparently reducing the spending per head per patient within the Garway rd area; this decision can only have a detrimental impact upon the quality of health care that your patients will receive.
Additionally, there are a number of less tangible benefits associated with the retention of the current pool of doctors that will be lost if new practitioners are brought in. Over a period of time a bond of trust and a sense of community has been built up between the patients served by Garway rd and their doctors. This would be jeopardised by the introduction of doctors who are unfamiliar to their patients and who lack any personal knowledge of their medical histories. Within the medical community the professional relationships that currently operate between the incumbent Garway rd practitioners and other local health service providers would be severed and have to be rebuilt over time by a new team of doctors.
As an elected patients’ representative I am determined to ensure that the Westminster Primary Care Trust acts in the best interests of its patients and in accordance with its statutory obligations. I trust that I can rely on your full cooperation in this matter so that we may secure the optimum health care service for the people of the Garway rd area.
Yours sincerely,
