Changes planned for healthcare in Croydon will give patients more choice and bring services closer to where people live.

Croydon PCT’s Better Health for a Better Future campaign sets out the plans for improving health services over the next 10 years.

The plans include six new community health centres, where GPs, district nurses, dentists, opticians and others will work together as a network.

Five of the centres will be established at Mayday Hospital (or next to it), Purley Hospital, New Addington/Selsdon, Thornton Heath and Woodside.

The centre at Mayday is due to be the first to open in 2010.

The sixth centre is also due to open in central Croydon in 2010.

It is part of a national scheme by the Government to increase access to GP services, it will see patients from 8.00am till 8.00pm all year around, whether they are registered there or not.

In addition, in order to reduce unnecessary visits to Mayday Hospital’s Accident & Emergency department, two new urgent care centres at Mayday Hospital and Purley Hospital will treat non-emergency injuries and illnesses.

Open 8am til 8pm, all year round, both centres will also operate a GP out-of-hours service.

Patients will still be able to visit their own GP as they always have, but in future, there will be other options that make services more convenient and give people more choice.

Caroline Taylor, Croydon PCT Chief Executive, said: “The new primary care and community health services strategy is an important milestone towards better health services for people in Croydon.

“It focuses on improving quality and patient experience by increasing the services available in primary care.

“These plans are long-term and will be phased in over the next 10 years.

"I believe the benefits will be considerable and will help us to achieve better healthcare across Croydon.”

A roadshow will tour Croydon over the next few weeks with people on hand to answer questions and give residents the opportunity to make comments or voice any concerns.

Roadshow dates and venues

Roadshows run from 10am until 4pm.

• April 29, Whitgift Centre, Croydon
• May 5, Tesco, Brighton Road, Purley
• May 6, Aldi, 232-236 Addington Road, Selsdon
• May 12, Lidl, London Road, Broad Green
• May 13 South Norwood Leisure Centre
• May 15 Central Parade, New Addington

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