NHS North East London is working closely with local partners to support St James Medical Practice in Walthamstow as plans are finalised for its move to new premises.
The practice is due to relocate to a purpose-built health centre within the Jazz Yard development which will provide extra space and facilities for its staff and patients.
With work on the health centre currently scheduled for completion in the next year, the timeline for the move remains under discussion. In the meantime, NHS North East London is committed to working with St James Medical Practice’s management team to:
- keep its current contractual arrangements in place until and after the relocation
- offer ongoing support, including the provision of resilience funding
- ensure that any disruption for patients and staff is kept to a minimum
NHS North East London’s aim is to ensure the practice can continue to operate, and there are no plans for its closure (which would lead to its patient list being dispersed).
Negotiations are currently under way to extend the practice’s lease at its existing premises in St James Street.
In case this is not possible, contingency plans are being drawn up that would allow the practice to continue providing services in the local area until its new premises are ready.
Johanna Moss, Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer for NHS North East London, said:
“Along with local partners, including Waltham Forest Council and neighbouring GP surgeries, we are working closely with the management team at St James Medical Practice as it prepares to relocate to the new Jazz Yard development in Walthamstow.
“We understand this is a difficult time for staff and that recent uncertainty over the move has led to concerns among patients, but we are committed to supporting the practice, including providing resilience funding, to ensure any disruption is kept to a minimum.
“Our priority is ensuring that all patients registered at St James Medical Practice have ongoing access to primary care services until, and after, it moves to its new premises.”
St James Medical Practice is being kept fully informed about developments and patients will be notified in advance about any proposed changes that might affect them.
