The government is introducing regulated standards for General Practices and all other care providers through registration with the Care Quality Commission (CQC). This organisation will monitor and 28 essential standards laid down in law with which we are legally obliged to comply. Some of these regulations cover the suitability of premises for their purpose and for both patients and staff. It has been argued that the standards are too onerous and the onset of regulation too quick - as a result the Government has delayed the registration of GP surgeries until April 2013. As you can see this gives us very little time to make changes and makes us feel very vulnerable.
The SE London Sector (who replaced the PCT) as our bosses have told us our project is not "financially viable" and have said that their preferred option would be for us to find a vacant site or a premises that could be demolised and rebuilt tailored to purpose. We think in West Wickham that this is an almost impossible dream, but we will keep our eyes open and we know that you do too.
On a more positive note our two big flu clinics at West Wickham and Shirley Baptist Church have been a big success once again and we are grateful to them for the use of their large and accessible rooms. It is always a pleasure to see so many of our patients together outside of the practice. Our thanks to you also for supporting the Children's Society with purchases of Christmas Cards.If you haven't had your jab and you should have done we will be running some sessions in the surgery over the next few weeks so phone and book an appointment (but you will have missed out on the tea and biscuits!)
