People who live or work in Ilford and the surrounding area are being asked to share their views on plans for a new health and care centre within Ilford Exchange shopping centre.
Proposals for the new centre aim to provide easy access to a range of health, social care and community services in a central location to better meet the needs of local people.
The plans have been developed by NHS North East London with NELFT NHS Foundation Trust and the London Borough of Redbridge, in close collaboration with other organisations which all work together as part of the Redbridge Place-Based Partnership.
If approved, the new centre – proposed for two floors in the Ilford Exchange complex – would act as a ‘one-stop shop’, enabling people to access a range of services in a single visit. Along with GP services, it would offer blood testing and podiatry services, long term conditions care, mental health support, children’s services and adult social care.
Feedback is now being sought on the proposals from Ilford residents and those who work in or visit the area. The quickest way to have your say is by visiting the North East London Health and Care Partnership (NEL HCP) website to find out more and taking part in an online survey. People can also attend a number of events to give their feedback.
There are two public events at Redbridge Central Library in Clements Road, Ilford:
- Monday 10 October – 5pm to 6.30pm
- Monday 17 October – 11.30am to 1pm
There are also two online events:
- Wednesday 19 October from 5.30pm to 7pm
- Tuesday 1 November from 10am to 11.30am.
To join these, book a place free on Eventbrite.
Dr Anil Mehta, a local GP and Clinical Director for the Redbridge Place-Based Partnership, said: “Ilford has a growing and vibrant multi-cultural population but at the moment we simply don’t have the space available to provide the GP services required to meet rising local demand, and many of our community and health and social care services in the area are also based in poor-quality, outdated premises.
“Having these services in a modern building in a central location with excellent transport links, would allow us to better meet the health and wellbeing needs of local people.
“We’re now really keen to hear what people think of our plans. The feedback we receive will help us develop safe, high-quality, joined-up and accessible services for our communities today, and for future generations, so please let us know your views.”
Bob Edwards, Integrated Care Director for Redbridge at NELFT NHS Foundation Trust, said: “The plans we’ve developed would allow a range of services to run from one site, meaning people would be able to access a number of different health and care professionals at the same time all in one place.
“Bringing healthcare into the high street in this way would also give us the extra space we need to expand some of our existing local services and provide others not previously available in Ilford town centre.
“We now want to hear which services you think the new centre could offer, so please let us know your thoughts. Your feedback will help us shape our proposals before final decisions are made.”
Cllr Mark Santos, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health, London Borough of Redbridge, said: “Redbridge Council is delighted to work alongside our NHS partners to ensure more accessible primary care and community health services in the heart of Ilford.
“This consultation provides the opportunity for our local residents to help shape what services they would like to see on offer. I would ask everyone to get involved and share your views.”
The survey is now open until midnight on Sunday 6 November 2022.
You can also download the survey from the NEL HCP website. Once completed, you can post it to Ilford Exchange survey, Freepost NHS North East London or hand it in at one of the upcoming public events or at the stand in the shopping centre.
Feedback from the survey and events will be shared with the team developing the plans before final decisions are made. The final report will be published on the NEL HCP website.
More information on the proposed centre, including a document detailing the services it would offer, is available on the NEL HCP website. To request this document in other formats, such as large print, braille or a different language, please email bhr.communications@nhs.net. An easy read version is available on the NEL HCP website.
