The NHS South East London Integrated Care Board (ICB) has confirmed that the Tessa Jowell Health Centre’s community services are available to patients all over south London, but extended primary care services (EPCS) are not.
Last week, the News reported that patients in Southwark’s extreme south – Gypsy Hill and West Dulwich – were cut off from vital health services.
South Southwark patients “cut off” from the Tessa Jowell Health Centre
The NHS has since confirmed that Tessa Jowell’s EPCS, which provides additional doctor appointments when other GPs are fully-booked, is only available to those registered with Southwark GPs.
For those Southwark residents forced to register with GPs outside of the borough, this will stoke fears that health planning is failing to provide for their needs.
Francis Bernstein, a Gypsy Hill resident registered with a Lambeth GP, told the News: “The problem is we don’t have a choice. We’re completely out of catchment for all these Dulwich GPs in the very south of the borough.
“There’s a little bubble around Dulwich. But what about other people who live in the south of Southwark?”
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On the other hand, community services – which include child health, musculoskeletal therapy, sexual health and much more – remain available to people throughout London.
Patients access these services by being referred to them by their doctor or other means. In this case, it does not matter where they are registered.
The News understands that the NHS South East London ICB is organising a meeting with south Southwark councillors and concerned residents to discuss which services they can use.
A spokesperson for the NHS South East London Integrated Care Board (ICB) said: “Tessa Jowell Health Centre contains a wide variety of services open to people in Southwark and other London boroughs, although a referral will be required to access some services.
“We are working with local councillors, neighbouring councils, and the service providers including Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust and King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, to identify and understand any access issues reported by residents.