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The James Wigg Practice in Bartholomew Road |
The surgery where they can make you well – and find you a job
New super centre wins praise for extending ‘brave vision of James Wigg’
IT has been 12 years in the making, but doctors and patients say a state-of-the-art super surgery in Kentish Town has definitely been worth the wait.
The new James Wigg Practice, in Bartholomew Road, opened its doors to more than 16,000 patients over Christmas.
The four-storey building is part of what medics are calling a brave new world for healthcare in Camden, with doctors teaming up with a range of health professionals, psychologists, counsellors and job advisers.
Dr Roy MacGregor, a practice partner who has worked at James Wigg since 1978, said: “The building will allow us to improve facilities and enable us to offer a wide range of services.
“The PCT is supplying the delivery of a wider team that will enable our employment, finance and care rights advice and counselling service to be greatly expanded.
“There will be a blood and alcohol service, a baby and antenatal clinic. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) will be available from the building.”
He added: “The PCT has been very forward-thinking. I think this is the finest edge of primary care delivery of services. It is a world class building with world-class facilities.”
The James Wigg Practice opened in 1887, 60 years before the creation of the National Health Service.
In 1973 the surgery was transformed into a health centre, with doctors working alongside other health professionals in one of the first schemes of its kind in the country. The pioneering centre, designed by architect Sam Cooke, was opened by former Labour MP, the late Jock Stallard.
Health centres like James Wigg now form a central plank of Government health reforms proposed by Lord Darzi.
New style “polyclinics” are set to replace single-handed surgeries across the country, though patients fear they are being developed with private
operators in mind.
But the James Wigg “polyclinic” is run by local doctors committed to the principles of the NHS who do not undertake any private work.
Patient rep Shelia Patton said: “The brave
tradition of the James Wigg has been expanded with this wonderful new building.”
Doctors at James Wigg will encourage jobless patients to find work by booking them an appointment with a specialist advisor on site. It follows a pilot between 2001 and 2004 where 192 of 200 patients receiving benefits found jobs through the service. The scheme found that patients’ health improved dramatically and at less cost to the Primary Care Trust.
Practice partner Dr Elizabeth Goodburn said: “It is a much better way of serving the community – it is more cohesive if it is more joined up.
“Patients will feel better and more in control of their own health.”
The doctors have won a grant from Arts
Council England (ACE) to fund art displays and projects from local schools. There will also be a café, run by the not-for-profit Peabody Trust, inside the practice and a medical library for staff and computer training facilities for patients.
The size of the four-storey “mini hospital” has been a sore point for some, although Sue Odell, who lives across the road, said: “I am thrilled to have a modern building here. I think it looks great.” |
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