The South Glos Post

Patients hoping to see a GP in Kingswood could be turned away if their needs are not “medically urgent” it has emerged.

Under an agreement introduced by the previous Labour government in 2008, each Primary Care Trust had to provide a GP-led health centre that was open to all patients from 8am to 8pm, seven days a week – whether registered or not with that practice. South Gloucestershire PCT, now re-branded as NHS South Gloucestershire, awarded their contract to the Orchard Medical Centre in Kingswood and for the past two years anyone resident in South Gloucestershire has been able to access Orchard Medical Centre with or without an appointment.

However, at a meeting of the local council’s Health Scrutiny Committee last week, it emerged that as part of an overhaul of urgent care services, the local PCT has changed the contract without consulting anyone. Since May, any patient who is not registered with the practice and whose needs are not deemed to be “medically urgent” will not be treated and will be told to go and see their own GP.

More: Comments from Labour councillors concerned at the change in policy »

Source: Labour Councillors on South Gloucestershire Council

The official launch of South Gloucestershire Council’s ‘active mind’ month takes place at Yate Library on Saturday 1st October at 2pm.

From foraging for fungi to volunteering at a nature reserve, the council is encouraging residents to get active in October.

We have organised a programme of events to celebrate active mind month which aims to challenge, entertain and inspire the whole family to get out and about, or learn a new skill this autumn.

You will have the opportunity to start a new hobby, become a volunteer, join a community group, go on an owl prowl, listen to new music or research your family history – the list is as long as your imagination.

Some of the many events include:

• Fungi forays in local woods with local mycologist Justin Smith to learn more about the various mushrooms and toadstools
• The psychology of penalty taking with Dr Ken Bray of Bath University
• An evening of stargazing
• Workshops on using a digital camera, IT and social media sites
• Tony Prescott from Aardman Animations will guide you through the wonderful world of animation, from story boarding to puppet making

Read on to find out more about the Active Mind programme »

Source: South Gloucestershire Council

Conservative campaigners have welcomed the local NHS’ plans for Frenchay Hospital and accused of accused Labour Councillors of “gross hypocrisy” over their opposition to plans for employing nursing staff provided through an external company.

It follows a recent meeting of South Gloucestershire Council’s Health Scrutiny Committee, where representatives from North Bristol NHS Trust presented the next stage of plans for a new community hospital on the existing Frenchay site.

Services to be provided include:

• 68 community rehabilitation beds including GP access beds (plus support for an additional 47 patients cared for in the community);
• Outpatient facilities for pain management, care of the elderly, respiratory medicine, gastroenterology, diabetes, orthopaedics, rheumatology, neurology and urology;
• Diagnostic tests including bloods, x-ray, ultrasound and echocardiograms;
• Therapy services such as occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, dietetics, podiatry and physiotherapy;
• Complementary services such as the Head Injury Treatment Centre and the Disablement Services Centre;
• Extra Care Housing, a nursing home and a site for a GP surgery.

Although contracts to downgrade Frenchay Hospital and stripping it of its acute services were signed by the previous Labour government shortly before the 2010 General Election, local Conservatives have been campaigning for the maximum possible health facilities to remain at Frenchay.

Read on: Conservative campaigners comment on Labour “hypocrisy” »

Source: Conservative Councillors on South Gloucestershire Council

Filton Airfield has been running at a loss for more than a decade, according to its owners BAE Systems, who plan to close it at the end of 2012.

A meeting at Filton Community Centre on Monday night (19th September) heard Andrew Cheeseman, Director of BAE Systems (Aviation Services), state that the airfield had lost “millions of pounds” in recent years.

Asked to what extent the company had promoted the airfield during that time, Mr Cheeseman said this had been done through a new website and a brochure distributed to the aviation industry at home and abroad.

BAE’s efforts were rubbished by Staple Hill Councillor Ian Boulton (Labour), who described the company’s website as “amateurish”.

Cllr Boulton told BBC Bristol:

“It really is disappointing to see they’re trying to market our airfield in such an amateurish way when it’s such an important asset.”

Amanda Deeks, Chief Executive of South Gloucestershire Council, said BAE Systems had been asked to provide evidence of the airfield’s alleged unviability as an input to the process of amending the Council’s draft Core Strategy document, which will soon be reviewed by an independent inspector on behalf of central government.

More: Council to listen to local people on airfield options »