'Satellite' surgery at Bingley centre for elderly (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

'Satellite' surgery at Bingley centre for elderly

12:02pm Monday 14th December 2009 in

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A new GP “satellite” surgery at a social services centre for the elderly in Bingley will be the first of its kind in the Bradford district when it opens next year.

The service, commissioned by NHS Bradford and Airedale, will be provided by Bingley Medical Practice for clients at Thompson Court Resource Centre, Crossflatts, as well as members of the public.

The move comes following requests from the public as part of a consultation about the new GP development at Canalside Healthcare Centre, Bingley, for primary care services in the Crossflatts area.

Patients will need to be registered with Bingley Medical Practice, which was formed in July following the merger of Drs Kathryn Jennings and Keith Robson, currently at Bingley Health Centre, with Priestthorpe Medical Centre. Dr Georgina Haslam, a GP at Bingley Medical Practice, said it was unusual for health services to be moved into a social care setting.

She said: “The uniqueness of it is that it’s generally felt that if social services and health services came together we can avoid a lot of the duplication of information generated and care which is given to a patient – it makes the service more seamless. GP services being part of a social services centre is very unusual and is being undertaken with a view of making the care of patients as seamless as possible.

“The GP surgery will be offering normal GP services to patients in Cross-flatts, Riddlesden and East Morton, who currently have to travel to Bingley or Keighley to see a GP.”

Social services, based at Thompson Court, will host the new GP service at a bespoke unit within the day centre.

An NHS Bradford and Airedale spokesman said: “It is an exciting project. It will be the first of its kind run in partnership between a GP practice and social care teams and will serve the high number of older people in the area.” The new service is expected to be up and running from next April, shortly after the opening of the Canalside Healthcare Centre.

e-mail: james.rush@telegraphandargus.co.uk