Issue 43 — March 1999
Patients rewarded
NHS funding changes could be to Jericho's advantage.
None of the three practices working from the Jericho Health Centre chose to be fund-holding. When the internal market was introduced within the NHS they did not think they would gain much by using their own budgets to shop around for services from different hospitals. The John Radcliffe and the Radcliffe Infirmary were always going to be the realistic choices.
The situation will change, however, from April with
the establishment of 'primary care groups' one of which will cover the
city of Oxford. This system, which will eventually replace the internal
market, will get GPs, community nurses, social services and others working
more closely together to identify health priorities - and choose how to
spend the money.
One of Jericho's Doctors Dr. Andy Chivers, who is also chair of the Oxford
City Primary Care Group Board, says: "We're in the enviable position of
already having high-quality services, so it's more a question of improving
something reasonably good". He points out that the services that the fund-holding
services purchased most enthusiastically were counselling and physiotherapy.
"If these are good services they should be available to everyone".
Where they would take place is another matter. The Jericho Health Centre
is pretty full. Currently it is the base for nine doctors, three practice
nurses, five district nurses, and two health visitors. But the building
is showing its age. It was constructed in 1971, for what now seems like
a bargain price of £50,220, as part of the renewal of Jericho, replacing
some old homes and shops. Also in the development were the council flats
above, some garages and a shop in Cranham Street. Though there are only
around 2,500 people in Jericho, the centre currently serves 12,000. Many
people settling in Oxford start out in the city centre then move to the
leafier suburbs but keep their doctor.
Now there is severe pressure on space - despite splitting a practice a
few years back and transferring some Jericho people with their doctor
to the North Oxford Health Centre. The building's layout doesn't allow
for what nowadays would be thought essentials - such as rooms for breast-feeding
or baby-changing. And having been designed around one system of patient
record-keeping it had to switch to a different bulkier one that leaves
the receptionists working in cramped conditions. Over time the centre
has expanded to include the shop premises, and nurses now work from what
was the caretaker's flat.
A less positive health development for Jericho will be the closure of
the Radcliffe Infirmary. By around 2003 some services will start to move
to the John Radcliffe and Churchill sites, which means we will no longer
have such convenient access to physiotherapy or X-ray services. Though
nothing has yet been decided, it is likely that the University, which
already owns part of the site, will use it for another college.
Fortunately one of our other local health facilities is staying put -
the Podiatry Clinic in Albert Street. Podiatry is another name for chiropody.
This offers NHS footcare for the west of the city but it is particularly
convenient for Jericho's older population.
This site in Albert Street was once occupied by, among other things, the
St. Barnabas Slipper Baths. Since demand for public baths had fallen,
this was closed in 1971 making way for a new building that housed a number
of activities including a child health clinic and chiropody. From 1994
it also became the podiatry headquarters for Oxfordshire. As well as offering
consultations this is also where they manufacture many kinds of foot support.
This is an 'open access' clinic and around 70% of people contact the clinic
directly. If you have foot problems you can call 311312 to get instant
advice or to make an appointment - the waiting list for non-urgent care
on the NHS is currently around eight weeks. You can also get a quicker
consultation if you pay (£15 for the clinic, £30 for a home visit). However
if you just have difficulty cutting your toenails you will have to look
elsewhere. Either go to a private chiropodist, or ask someone else - how
well do you get on with your neighbours?
