You’ll probably remember that Lou Nolan Harrington recently stirred up a hornet’s nest by writing on Facebook: “I am not sure whether this is the correct starting point to communicate a severe issue regarding the refusal by multiple sites in South Woodham Ferrers for a breast screening unit to be placed onsite.”
I’ve been following this up by writing to the people who, according to info posted on various websites, are responsible for this service, to ask them why it has been discontinued. We already know one reason, of course. The ‘powers that be’ screwed up when, despite constant prompting from the GPs, they failed to put a bay for the breast screening unit (and other mobile diagnostic facilities to make it easier for people to get care closer to home) on the CVMC site … and to install the power supply needed.
Thus far everybody I’ve written to has pretended they don’t know anything about it – hoping I’ll get fed up and go away. This is a standard ploy – see Page 61 Section 2b of the NHS Rule Book. I have sent two ‘Freedom of Information’ requests – and a reply to the 2nd one is pending.
Another way of approaching this is to accept that we need to find an alternative site for the breast screening unit and make progress on this front. With this objective, bearing in mind that those who make the healthcare decisions for SWF rarely have any detailed knowledge of the town or its needs, I have made a ‘rough and ready’ video showing a selection of possible sites. These include the Ambulance Station’s car park and the Fire Station’s car park – both of which could theoretically use the ‘specialist power’ supply that was installed at the town centre health clinic. Mobile breast screening units require a stable power supply to operate sensitive X-ray systems, imaging computers, and climate control. They usually need a ‘robust single-phase or 3-phase connection (e.g., 5-wire, 400V) depending on the equipment load’. This assumes that the existing power supply can be resurrected (it appears to have been partially dismantled) AND that some sort of arrangement can be made with the school which has taken over the town centre health clinic site.
The ambulance station used to be busy but, unless things have changed recently, it became relatively underused as a result of the move to centralisation … and there is space in the part of its car park juxtaposed to the fence which operates it from the old Health Clinic’s car park.
The same applied to the Fire station’s extensive car park. Moreover, there is a precedent for using this site. I was reminded by a letter from and an article about the wonderful Iris Martin (who was one of the key movers and shakers in trying to improve healthcare facilities in SWF) that, in the early 1980s, part of the “Multi-Purpose Fire Station” (built circa 1981) was utilised for community health clinics,child welfare checks, and maternity services. The reason for this was that, when the Essex County Council launched its ‘master plan’ to expand the town, it failed to make any provision for healthcare so new infrastructure had to catch up with the sudden influx of young families. We were told that the SWF Fire Station was, therefore, designed with “community integration” in mind.
A possible alternative site would be in the SWF station’s extensive car park – a site previously suggested by the late great Rev Paul Haworth (Vice-Chair of Healthcare 2000) for a healthcare facility. This would have the advantage that the facility could also cater for all those served by the Crouch Valley Line.
The magnificent Christina Booth has explored one other alternative. She wrote to Sainsbury’s asking if the breast screening unit could be sited on its land. She got the following reply:
“Dear Christina,
Thank you for your email. I am responding on behalf of Simon Roberts.
Sainsbury’s is committed to making a positive difference in our local communities and, as you can imagine, we receive a high volume of requests each day.
Please note that support of this nature is at store discretion. As you have already spoken with the Sainsbury’s South Woodham Ferrers store, we are unfortunately unable to provide any further support with your request.
I am sorry not to be able to share more positive news on this occasion.
Kind regards, Katie Powell Executive Office J Sainsbury plc Katie.
This photograph shows that other Sainsbury’s stores are more public spirited. Perhaps those who feel strongly about this matter should vote with their feet.
You can also contact your MP john.whittingdale.mp@parliament.uk who is aware of the issue, the town councillors who have expressed an interest, and/or SWF H&SCG swfhealthsocial@outlook.com.
Additionally or alternatively mention this matter when you complete the SWF H&SCG survey at https://warwick.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9uYcv6y4zybHzSu
Simply having a moan on Facebook doesn’t cut the mustard. The pen is mightier than the sword – so, if you want to make changes for the better, start writing to those who might take up the cudgels on your behalf.
Dr John Cormack