Preston Barracks: Patient Engagement for Stanford Medical Centre

At the moment it is a proposal we are exploring to see how the new premises at Preston Barracks can be utilised to provide patient care, as it offers a great opportunity to improve how we deliver services. This not a closure of GP services.

We recognise that for some patients the new location would be further away, and that matters. However, “access” is not only about distance. It is also about whether patients can physically get into the building and be seen safely. The current Islingword Road site sits on a steep hill and many appointments require patients to be seen upstairs via two flights of stairs. For older patients, those with disabilities, mobility problems, prams, or long-term conditions, this is a genuine barrier.

Islingword is not an accessible premises for either patients or staff and the building cannot be adapted to meet current guidelines for buildings.  The nurse’s room has no natural light, no rest room and there is no accessible toilet for staff or patients.

Cockcroft only has a GP room and we are only open mornings and during term time – which means outside of these times patients have to travel to other sites for appointments.

No – the ICB want to hear from our patients and Allied Medical Practice patients. They will review the feedback given by all our patients with the wider health care provision requirements before deciding next steps.

No, there is no direct parking at the site and very limited disabled parking but there is free parking for up to 2 hours in The Pavillion Centre very close by

Yes there is planned to have one adjacent to the medical centre – but you do not have to use this to get your medication.  How you get your prescription medicines will not change.

We will be open Monday to Friday 8.00- 6.30pm.  You don’t need to register for the new premises as your registration sits as Stanford Medical Centre

It also offers more clinical space, which gives us scope to provide care more effectively and grow the wider team (for example, more nursing/HCA/phlebotomy capacity and additional clinics over time).

Also the supporting roles we have of first contact physiotherapist, social prescribers and other staff.

The building is all on the ground floor and one level.   With disabled accessible toilets and a changing places facility. Having appropriate accessible facilities.

After the engagement the ICB has internal processes it needs to go through.  We hope that we will know some time in April the outcome of the patient engagement and if the project is moving forward.

No you don’t – if you decide that you do not want to remain registered with us for whatever reason then you are free to register at another local surgery.

We are keeping our current boundary.

Yes – you will still be able to phone the surgery to book appointments. If the proposal goes ahead, we will work hard to minimise the impact on patients who find travel difficult. That includes maintaining strong telephone and online access, ensuring face-to-face appointments remain available when clinically needed, and continuing home visits for those who cannot attend due to medical or significant mobility reasons.