Although no fairy godmother appeared to wave her magic wand, I would like, on behalf of the Putney and Roehampton Organisation of Pensioners (PROP), to thank the Wandsworth Primary Care Trust (WPCT) and Dr Sarah North, a Putney GP, for the honest and informative presentation given to our members on Thursday, July 11.

The proposal to establish a Putney Primary Care Centre (PPCC) generated more questions than currently have

answers.

It was confirmed that the proposed PPCC would not cover the Roehampton surgeries, and that it may not be located on the Putney Hospital site.

Despite mutual concern about the continuing charges incurred and the empty buildings falling into disrepair, WPCT have yet to make their decision on long-term planning proposals for the Putney Hospital site.

The preferred partner had now been selected, but it would probably be late autumn 2005 before the new integrated Queen Mary's Hospital was up and running. Somewhat later than many of us had hoped, but at least a date. In the meantime Business As Usual notices apply to all departments.

An item of good news is that the Queen Mary's Minor

Injuries Treatment Centre is now a port of call for the London Ambulance Service.

Let's hope this change may, no matter how low the current take-up, help towards reducing both the work-load and waiting times in our local overstretched A&E departments.

Hon Treasurer

on behalf of

PROP members and

committee

c/o Lady North Hall,

Ravenna Road,

Putney

July 17, 2002 10:30