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Bromley Community Health Advice
The Community Health Advice role was delivered by the Community Health Council a watchdog organisation with a statutory duty to monitor the local health services, and to recommend improvements to the local Health Authority. In Bromley this is "Bromley Health", which was formed in 1992 by combining the Bromley Family Health Authority and Bromley Health Authority. They allocate government funds to local doctors and hospitals from a budget of £140 million a year. These funds have become the responsibility of the Bromley Primary Care Trust (PCT) which, including acute care services total around £250 million annually.
The Health Service abolished the CHC's and introduced a range of alternative options including patient liaison and local forums, see below.
The Bromley Community Health Council carried out regular surveys on local health services, such as clinics, hospitals and special care units. They reported on complaints made about hospital departments, support services, and doctors and waiting times for out patients and people in casualty departments. CHC staff gave advice about what health services are available and how to deal with any problems, including where to find doctors, dentists, opticians, clinics, screening and maternity services. The council members were drawn from local council and health service personnel, with a third of the members coming from local voluntary organisations. Their meetings were open to the public and information about the performance of the health services were circulated.
Patients Forums are being set up and there is a national helpdesk number which is 0845 120 7111. Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) numbers are 0800 389 5118 (Primary Care Trust); 01689 863252 (Hospitals Trust); 0800 917 7159 (Oxleas Trust). For general information about local medical services call the PCT on 01689 853339 or Bromley Hospital 01689 863000.
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