VIEWPOINT FOR 18 SEPTEMBER 2008
FROM DR RICHARD TAYLOR

Concerns have been expressed about the scope and quality of care to be provided by the organisation that is taking over the provision of out-of-hours (OOH) GP care across the county. 

I have recently met the Chief Executive and the Medical Director of the consortium, "Take Care Now", which has won the contract to provide this vital service from 1st October. 

If their aspirations and promises are met we should see a better service than we receive now particularly in Wyre Forest. 
   ..The number of cars to carry doctors to do home visits across the county will increase from 2 to 3 and 
   ..there will also be a vehicle for an Emergency Care Practitioner. 
   ..These vehicles will increase to 7 during weekends. 
   ..In addition there will be a doctor in our out-of-hours primary care centre at Kidderminster Hospital. 

"Take Care Now" recognises that we need the minor injuries unit (MIU) and the OOH centre to work closely together. Thus, with the doctor in the MIU during working hours, and from 1st October a doctor in the OOH centre, we will have doctor cover during a much longer and more realistic period every day.

Hopefully the current ridiculous state of affairs that there are two separate reception desks, one for the MIU and one for the OOH centre, when both use the same premises, will be resolved. Also there will be facilities for walk-in patients so the equally ridiculous situation of having to telephone for an appointment when one has actually walked into the unit should disappear. There will also be a new telephone call centre to which calls will be directed out of hours and I hope this will be user-friendly and an effective helpline directing callers to the appropriate facility for their urgent needs.

It is unrealistic to expect a system free of glitches from the start on October 1st but I hope we will notice improvements immediately. The Medical Director, at a meeting with local GPs, has made it clear he will wish to know if and how the system has failed so if any unsatisfied users of the service will let me know about any problems they have encountered I will pass them on.
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I am still receiving complaints that the Warmfront grant of £2700 is insufficient to cover the expense of the installation of home heating systems by the approved contractors when local installers could fit the same system for less than the grant. 
I and other MPs have pointed this out to government ministers but have not yet achieved a change to a situation that appears to be costing both us as taxpayers and the individuals affected more than is necessary.
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But there is a free benefit now available to us all. 
The Primary Care Trust is employing four new health trainers to help improve our lifestyles and thus become healthier whether our problems stem from smoking, alcohol, obesity or other causes. 
To obtain help you may contact a Health Trainer on 01562 820079 or at 
Kidderminster Health Centre, 
Bromsgrove Street, 
Kidderminster DY10 1PG.

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