9:20am Thursday 30th October 2008
By Jack Royston
A HEALTH trust is taking urgent steps to close a clinic after a review exposed a catalogue of health and safety issues.
A report, by Harrow Primary Care Trust (PCT), says fixing problems at Kenmore Clinic, ranging from asbestos to the supply of hot water, would be too expensive and a “poor use of resources”.
Instead it plans to shut down the site, in Kenmore Road, without consulting residents and move its services to other centres.
Savji Wagela, 71, has lived opposite the clinic for around 30 years, and said the PCT should improve the existing building.
He said: “This clinic has always been there. It would be very sad for most people if it goes. I don't know what the PCT is doing but they should take care of the old people and give them proper facilities.”
The report describes security and heating as inadequate while windows, doors and floors throughout the building are in a “poor state”.
Andrew Bland, its author and an acting director at the PCT, described the building as an “unacceptable facility”.
Jason Cass, 43, of Kenmore Avenue, said: “It's a dump in there but a new one should be built because it's actually used a lot.”
Initial work would be predicted to cost around £250,000 but the full price tag would be likely to escalate to between £3m and £4m for complete refurbishment and renovation.
The clinic provides a range of services including care for mothers and babies as well as blood tests.
There are already seven GP practices nearby but six of those are in converted houses, considered “inadequate accommodation” meaning there is little space for them to expand.
For one resident who has had patients parking in front of her house, and even in her drive, the news came as a relief.
Dhanbi Kerai, 42, who lives just a few doors down, said: “Most of the clinic park in front of my drive. I have to go and ask them to move their cars.”
A Harrow Council committee is due to look into the proposals on Tuesday next week.
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