I had a message this morning informing me that the surgery is planning to move to Muswell Hill and asking me to vote on it. Does anyone know what is going on? I am not keen to go to Muswell Hill because it is a difficult journey. What has precipitated this? Any information welcome.
Cathy
Replies
I guess Annabel is right and it is all to do with the supersurgery.
I think it is the building that is small rather than the number of doctors. It doesn't fit with the current model of big new corporate style buildings and maybe potential interest from American Healthcare companies which have already bought into some surgeries in Haringey . It is what we have got and I am grateful not to have to drag myself to Muswell Hill!
We all know what a tragedy it wil be if the surgery isn't big enough to attract a voracious American conglomerate!
I've had a txt from them too - it's very alarming. The doctors at the surgery clearly don't want to move, but they aren't giving us any information about the proposal either. Searching for 'NHS Haringey' just provides info. about AIDs, and the 'Haringey CCG' website is inaccessible. There's no info. on the Alexandra Surgery site - even on their News webpage. I've asked them to put info. there. Emailing them at alexandrasurgery@nhs.net would be a good move.
I wonder if it's something to do with the supersurgery being created in Muswell Hill (is it functioning yet?) - Ham&High had info on it in 2018 and 2020. Haringey Council purchased the site originally to move the MH Library there, but gave up on that because of local opposition, I believe. There were issues about it being difficult to access by the disabled and elderly. Access from the Palace Gates area and around would be even more problematic - walking/cycling up Dukes Avenue or Alexandra Park Road N10 when you are ill would not be good, and would there be enough parking for car drivers?
You can always catch a bus (eventually!), with a new covid variant thrown in for good measure.
I phoned the surgery, and the receptionist said that the CCG just want to move it because it is a small practice, and that this is the second time they've tried to do that. She said there have been 90 responses objecting to the proposal, so she does not think that it is likely to happen. I asked for somebody to contact at the CCG/NHS Haringey, and she said she would get back to me about it - but I haven't heard anything.
It may be a small practice, but it is the only one in Alexandra ward, and for some of us there is no other option - we are not in the catchment area of Bounds Green Medical Centre, or any other NHS surgery around here!
I think you are mixing up Bounds Green Medical Centre and Bounds Green Practice on the same site. BGGP does cover the alexandra area apart from a bit of the top of APR (a strange looking exception). I don't know what the centre does. Not that you should move from where you are but just letting others know they can go to that practice.