Following on from several complaints and distressing news coverage about GP services in the constituency, I called a meeting with the South East London Integrated Care Board (SEL ICB). This body supports and builds existing health and care partnerships for delivery of publicly funded services across the region.

On 17 May, I spoke to CEO Andrew Bland, Place Exec. Lead for Lewisham Ceri Jacob and Acting Chief Nurse Paul Larrisey about the issues my constituents are facing. I drew particular attention to the appalling scenes at Hilly Fields Medical Centre (HFMC) and performance of the Lewisham Care Partnership.

Andrew, Ceri and Paul explained that despite an increase in available appointments and ways to contact practices, compared with pre-pandemic, demand on services has also increased.  As many of you will know, there are workforce issues within primary care and Andrew advised they have 64 fewer GPs and practices compared with last year. Whilst South London and Maudsley NHS Trust are supporting primary care mental health workers in local practice and there has been an increase in pharmacists and physiotherapists, capacity remains a problem.

It was explained that the problems at HFMC ultimately arose from communication issues and the steps taken in response are as follows:

• the local primary care team are working with HFMC to improve communication and to revive the patient participation group for the overarching partnership and also site specific ones.
• a triage system has now gone live which should help people access the support they need.
• a cloud based telephone system goes live on May 21 which will enable patient call backs.
• primary care access plan established to help patients receive the services they need – cloud based systems across the borough should help.

I understand there have been no reports of queues at the practice in recent weeks but we will all agreed to monitor the situation.

We also discussed the demand on mental health services and medication shortages. Once again, Andrew explained conditions arising from the national crisis in the health service are being reflected in local provision. He did assure me that they are in the best position they can be to manage all of this thanks to a very strong partnership with the local authority.

The team also advised me of its other local initiatives. In summary:

• atrial fibrilation and hypertension campaigns launched earlier this year, focusing on early intervention and prevention.
• a pro-active care model due later this year to tackle the elderly requiring non-elective healthcare which sees many hospitalised long term.
• working with the London Borough of Lewisham on digital inclusion and exclusion.
• NHS funding secured to redesign and refurbish the Waldron Medical Centre. SEL ICB are working on plans with neighbourhood partners and the community forum.
• a number of safer surgeries have been established to enable access to healthcare for refugees.

Going forward, Andrew and I will remain in close contact and I will continue to raise any concerning local trends with SEL ICB. I also meet regularly with the shadow health team to ensure that a Labour Government has the solutions to 14 years of neglect in our national health service.

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