Temporary new home for fire-damaged health centre (From Times Series)

Temporary new home for fire-damaged health centre

6:11pm Tuesday 5th January 2010 in News By Hannah Crown

PATIENTS of practices which were damaged by a fire on Monday have a temporary new home.

The 5,800 displaced patients from the Brunswick Park Health Centre, New Southgate, who were looked after by Doctors Okonkwo and Duru, have been relocated to a neighbouring practice in Osidge Lane. Other practices in the area are helping out with emergency appointments.

NHS Barnet released a statement which said: “At present, it is not an option to move the practices back into Brunswick Park Health Centre and NHS Barnet is still assessing the damage caused at this site. NHS Barnet is currently looking at temporary solutions for alternative premises until the decision has been made about the suitability of Brunswick Park Health Centre, and whether refurbishing the building is a safe, viable and cost effective option considering the Trust’s longer term plans for this health centre."

The statement also said: "Patient records and computer systems were not damaged in the fire and have now been collected and secured by NHS Barnet. The telephone lines at Brunswick Park Health Centre have been redirected and existing patients can contact their GP in the same way as before. Patients will then be triaged over the phone and asked to attend the neighbouring practice or local Walk-in Centre if necessary.

“NHS Barnet had already planned to build a new modern Brunswick Park Health Centre as part of its joint future term planning with Barnet Council which also includes the development of a community hub around this new centre. This hub will consist of a children’s centre, library and primary healthcare facility, all due for completion by the end of 2011.”