Winter 2013 Newsletter

Choosing the right service over the winter period

In Lambeth, inappropriate use of A&E is costing tax payers around £1million a year, money that could be spent improving other healthcare services. It is extremely important that we work together to reduce these numbers and do as much as we can to educate and inform our patients and local residents on the options available to them when they are ill. Other than your GP surgery there are other services that could be more appropriate in your time of need.

NHS direct Helpline 0845 46 47

SELDOC out of hours 02086939066

GP walk-in centres

  • Lister Health Centre, 101 Peckham Road, SE15 5LJ
  • GracefieldGardens, Streatham SW16 2ST
  • Suite3, Waldron Health Centre, Amersham Vale, New Cross, SE14 6LD.

Urgent care Centre Guy’s Hospital – Broken bones, wounds, sprains, bites, broken nose, burns and scalds

Accident and emergency and 999 should only be used in a critical life threatening situation.

Mental Health Support- ‘Solidarity in a Crisis’ peer support service - call or text as follows:

Friday, Saturday, Sunday 8pm to 2am- 07889 756083, 07889 756087

Saturday and Sunday 8am-2pm – 07889 756078, 07889 756080.

Alcohol brief treatment

If you think you have any problems around misuse of alcohol and your problem is quite mild but you just need help we have a service at the Hurley Clinic that can help you deal with this. Mr Stephen Gordon an alcohol health worker has a clinic here every Friday between 10 am and 12.30pm. If you would like to see him please contact the surgery for an appointment. You can also contact Mr Gordon directly on 07525951174 or email

Patient Participation Group

Message from the chairman Priscilla Baines

‘Thanks to all the seventy or so patients, who took the trouble to come to the Patient Participation Group's annual meeting in the Durning Library on 5th November. It was good to see so many of you and to know that you care about the Hurley Clinic.

We were addressed by Dr Mark Ashworth who told us about developments in the practice during the past year. He acknowledged that there have been some difficult problems, mainly because there is less money available for all GPs in London, but also because of unexpected sickness among the doctors in the practice. The discussion that followed showed that many patients are very concerned about the difficulties of getting appointments within a reasonable time and of seeing the doctor of their choice, although these problems happen in other practices as well. It also showed that many patients want more services such as longer surgery times, including being able to see a doctor at weekends, but the resources are not available to do that.

The chairman reported the results of the 2013 patients' survey which were more encouraging than the earlier discussion suggested: most patients said that they were reasonably satisfied with the service at the practice although there were also quite a lot of complaints, particularly about the appointments system. The PPG will be going through the results of the survey and working with the practice to see how the service can be improved.

There is a new constitution for the PPG, which the meeting agreed, and we will be organising some events for patients in the New Year. A happy new yearto everyone’

The Hurley Clinic, Ebenezer House, Kennington Lane, London, SE11 4HJ

Tel: 020 77 35 7918, Email:

Website: