In March Alderley Edge Medical Practice expects to relocate to the new medical centre which is currently under construction at the front of the Festival Hall.
However, the practice has revealed that they cannot afford to purchase the equipment required to kit out the new centre so they have asked their Patient Participation Group to raise funds towards this.
The new premises is being built by Alderley Edge Parish Council, who own the building, and rented to the practice for an annual rent of £135,000 over a lease period of 21 years.
NHS England is providing a capital grant of £500,000 towards the building costs, which is being paid to the Parish Council as an advance rent once the building has been signed off.
A notice on the Medical Practice website says "In the past the NHS would have also funded the cost of necessary new equipment and fixtures. Due to cost constraints they will no longer do this. They will also not pay for the telephone system.
"The practice will re-use as much of the equipment and fixtures as possible from George Street. However, we need new equipment for the extra consulting and treatment rooms. The practice also has to provide waiting room and consulting room furniture which complies with current infection control guidelines. The practice also would like to provide electric "plinth" type couches for all consulting rooms. These raise and lower to allow infirm patients to get on and off easily.
"The doctors will have the cost of the new phone system, plus the costs of separating the George Street building back into 3 individual buildings, and all the moving costs. The practice simply can't afford the new equipment, which is why the practice has asked our Patient Participation Group to raise funds towards this. With your help we can make sure that our new medical centre is fully equipped to give our patients the best possible care."
Amongst the equipment required are consultation room equipment priced £1300, treatment room couches at £900, waiting room chairs costing £120 each, office desk and chair at £350, set of three child seats for the waiting room at £350 and dressing trolley costing £300.
See www.alderleyedgegp.co.uk to make donations.
Comments
Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.
What is happening to the money from the sale of the property at the George Street premises?
at last the new P.C. and the old P.C. have something in common; both will get blamed ???
I can't help thinking that the blame for lack of equipment funding might lay elsewhere: http://bit.ly/20sLyig
if my memory serves me right; the George St. practice embraced a house plus part of a house. The part house was rented. The funds from the sale of the whole house, owned by the practice, will go to the partners who were 'involved' in its purchase. These gentlemen are, I think, now retired.
If I have any part of that wrong, then I apologise.
http://bit.ly/1QOoGag
And at £10 it's not even their cheapest. They do one for £7.
Alternatively they could take out a loan to purchase the assets required for the practice to function. Is this not what thousands of businesses do? The Medical Practice provides a vital service to the community, just in the same way as a plumbing company or garage might. Would those companies really expect donations from their customers if they needed a new van or hydraulic ramp?
It relates to equipping the inside of the Medical Centre, which is the responsibility of the NHS. In the past such expenditure by the doctors would have been covered by the NHS, but that is no longer the case.
If you want me to guess then I would suspect that the numbers given are just indicative and you are underestimating the skills (as well as the workload) of a group of very caring people who serve our community well, supported by volunteers on the Patient Participation Group. I am sure the PPG would welcome some practical help if you came forward to offer it.
Perhaps self-funding might focus the minds on more realistic purchasing options!