HAFSON has received an email from the CCGs detailing changes to services at St Charles Health and Wellbeing Centre.

Service Changes – in response to Covid-19

St Charles Health & Wellbeing Centre

St Charles Urgent Care Centre

Due to the rapid development of Covid-19, the NHS in North West London and Central London Community Healthcare Trust have taken the decision to temporarily suspend the St Charles Urgent Care Centre service from Tuesday 14th April.

The number of people attending the centre has reduced dramatically over recent weeks in line with Government guidance and people avoiding social contact. Staff will be redeployed to support the Covid-19 response, providing clinical support and care for our most vulnerable patients.

How will people know about the temporary suspension?

  • Signage will be placed on the door of the St Charles Urgent Care Centre informing people of the closure and alternative services available
  • NHS 111 will be informed that the centre is not currently available and patients should be directed to their GP Practice or referred to alternative services
  • GPs will text patients informing them of the temporary closure, and if they need medical help to visit 111.nhs.uk, call their GP practice or 111
  • Further information can be found on the CCG and local GP practice websites

Pembridge

The inpatient beds at Pembridge are being temporarily re-designated for the care of patients with Covid-19.

This is part of a system response to support patients who no longer require a hospital bed but cannot return to their usual place of residence until they are confirmed as non-contagious.

It’s important to note no decision has been taken about the future of the Pembridge in-patient unit.

The timelines and next steps of the palliative care review are currently under review.

Hot Clinic

A clinic has been set up at St Charles to support patients who have, or are suspected to have Covid-19 as well as additional health conditions that require medical help.

GPs or NHS 111 can refer patients to the hot clinic for a face to face appointment with a doctor or nurse. The clinic aims to reduce the risk of infection by treating patients who have Covid-19 symptoms in a controlled and safe environment.

If you have any questions regarding the above service changes, please contact the team on wlccg.integratedcare@nhs.net. For further information on where to go, or where to signpost people to if they’re feeling unwell, please see below.

 

Kind regards,

Louise Proctor

Managing Director

West London CCG

HAFSON has sought clarification on these details and has received the following: ‘The inpatient beds at the centre are being temporarily re-designated for the care of patients with Covid-19. This is part of a system wide response to support patients who no longer require a hospital bed but cannot return to their usual place of residence, until they are confirmed as non-contagious.’

We understand, however, that the Pembridge home care service is now temporarily housed in the ‘Engineer’s House’ at St Charles Hospital. The re-designated service at what was Pembridge is apparently to be known, for the moment, as ‘Aspen Ward’ in order to avoid confusion.