Join us to hear more about Edenbridge’s new health centre
As the countdown to the opening of Edenbridge Memorial Health Centre begins, local people are being given another opportunity to hear about the services that will be delivered from our new community hub when it opens at the end of November.
Earlier this year, Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust (KCHFT) and Edenbridge Medical Practice held listening events to talk about the proposed services and asked for feedback on how the community space at the new £13.5million health hub could be used.
More than 400 people took part through public meetings, virtual sessions and an online survey and we reached more than 28,000 people through social media. You can read the report on what we heard here:
As the opening of the new centre draws closer, community and GP teams are providing another opportunity to talk to the Edenbridge community to share final details about the health hub, when it will be opening, and how the local community will be able to use it. We will be responding to what you told us at our listening events.
The meeting is at the Edenbridge WI Hall, Station Rd, Edenbridge TN8 5LX, from 10 to 11.30am Saturday, 7 October.
KCHFT’s Chief Executive Mairead McCormick, said: “The health and care needs of Edenbridge have been at the heart of our planning throughout the journey to the new health centre.
“We have worked hard to develop services that meet the needs of the local population, now and in the future. As promised, we are looking forward to coming back to talk about the fantastic facilities that will be on offer at our new health centre.
“We heard a real range of views and I want to acknowledge people’s concerns about not having an x-ray facility and changes to the minor injury service. We’ve tried really hard to come up with solutions and are continuing to look at alternative ways of delivering a more robust service, but this still remains a challenge and we want to be really honest about this.”
KCHFT and Edenbridge Medical Practice will run the majority of services at the new health centre, which will include the new GP surgery, diagnostic services, a wellbeing centre and a wider range of outpatient clinics, including children's services, reducing the need for people to travel to Tunbridge Wells or Maidstone hospitals for some care.
Dr Anna-Louise Malan from Edenbridge Medical Practice, said: “We cannot wait for the new GP surgery to open in a few months. Creating a community hub for our patients means we can deliver joined up health and wellbeing services to Edenbridge, supporting people to manage their long-term conditions, stay well and deliver quality care, closer to home.”
At the meeting, we will also be talking to people about the ways we are supporting the Edenbridge Voluntary Transport Service to recruit more volunteer drivers and we will be working with the Edenbridge hospital League of Friends to establish a new league of friends for the health centre. You can express your interest to be part of either initiative either at the meeting or by contacting us on the details below.
This event has now sold out. If you would like to join the waiting list, please email: kchft.comms@nhs.net or phone 0300 790 0506.
Find out more: www.kentcht.nhs.uk/EdenbridgeFuture
Can you help drive people to their healthcare appointments?
People in Edenbridge have told us their concerns about travel and transport once the new health centre opens. We are working with Edenbridge Voluntary Transport Service to recruit more drivers to support the community.
If you have a few spare hours, can drive and own a car, the Edenbridge Voluntary Transport Service needs volunteers to take patients to their healthcare appointments.
For more information, email manager@evts.org.uk
