.HARINGEY COUNCIL has promised a new GP surgery after a report by Greater London Assembly (GLA) revealed that the number of GPs the borough holds is below average.
The council responded to a report by a major London body that found the borough was below the national average by promising a new surgery.
On average the national rate is 7.6 GPs per 10,000 people; Haringey has 6.6.
Steve O’Connell from the Conservative GLA suggested that a shift in approach is “needed at all stages of the planning process to ensure that the highest possible contribution is made”.
He argued: London Boroughs can achieve this by “following the recommendations made”.
The GLA recommends all boroughs to publish and monitor all GP services that are being planned to be built – also make sure there is substantial support for new housing developments.
The report has revealed the lack monitoring of GP Services – and general health facilities- done by the Haringey council.
Cllr Peter Morton, Haringey Council’s cabinet member for children and families said that “together with our partners in Haringey CCG, Healthwatch Haringey and NHS England – We’ve been working hard to improve and increase health facilities in Haringey.”
The London plan sets its target to build over 420,000 homes across the city in the next 10 years. The NHS guideline suggests 550 new GPs will required around London.
Lambeth with 10.4; Tower hamlets with 9.9 and Kingston upon Thames with 9.8 led the list of London boroughs with the most GP’s per 10,000, going over two GPs of the national average.
This report was proceeded by Chancellor George Osbourne’s announcement of the new ‘devolution’ plans, which claim to give more powers to ‘local authorities’ in London.
Haringey Council has said it will try and tackle its “obesity crisis”.
Haringey suffers from above average mental health problems and health inequalities within the borough, which the Haringey council has said it will try and confront in the coming years, with the help of the new devolution bill.
The borough is also looking into restrictions on betting shops and price per unit of alcohol.
Alcoholism, betting addiction, physical and mental health are all connected to each other; to effectively combat even one as a problem will help in the decline of the rest: So, effectively, the approach to address all of the above is a wise move by the Haringey council.