CHAIRMAN'S CORNER

John Bowden takes time out to reflect on the past, comment on the present
and look to the future.

This time he looks at the forthcoming AGM and Forum, High Trees Surgery and our latest questionnaire.

CHAIRMAN’S CORNER – 13

 It’s That Time of Year..

 Yes, after a long Winter, it’s that time of year when our thoughts turn to higher things and so, later in March, we will hold our annual AGM and Forum.  This year it will be on Wednesday 24 March at Chellaston (Senior) School.   As usual we will include presentations on matters of current interest to our residents and this year we will feature our “Vision for Chellaston” project, the new Children’s Centre and Derbyshire Fire Service’s proposal to reduce the allocation of Fire Tenders at Ascot Drive.  These are items we have chosen, but, of course, the evening is really about you and what you want to raise – this is why we also have an open forum where you can bring up any concern you have which relates to Chellaston.  Our local councillors will be in attendance and it is a good opportunity to put them on the spot, especially as there is a local government election expected in May.

 The AGM is also an opportunity for you to make a contribution to the work of the CRA by becoming a committee member and becoming active in the community.  You will find out a lot you didn’t know about the area and become familiar with the way our local councils and other bodies actually work.  And of course, we hope you can give some of your time to help us with the many projects we are running.  We will be inviting nominations at the AGM but it’s always helpful if you can make contact with us beforehand through our web-site.

 Many thanks to everyone who filled in our questionnaire about High Trees Surgery.  We had a large response and, as we suspected, most patients want the surgery to stay in the centre of Chellaston, where it is easy to get to.  Of course, this does not mean that we do not want the services offered to improve – we know the present surgery is cramped as is the car park, and the surgery could offer more services if it had more space.  In addressing this problem, the CRA does not think that the options which could be available to the surgery and which are in the centre of Chellaston have been fully investigated and they have instead taken the easy option of a package offered by a developer on West Chellaston.   As we have said before, this new location is over half a mile from the present surgery as the crow flies, but considerably further to drive via the Bonnie Prince. We have also not found many of our elderly residents willing to walk the additional distance and we imagine that the journey for a mobility scooter would be quite hazardous.  Many respondents wrote of their fears that, should the move go ahead, it would be much more difficult or even impossible for them to attend the surgery, a consequence which we would say is unacceptable.  The CRA will be shortly making representations to the PCT on behalf of residents, but in the meantime, we would urge the practice to start listening to its patients and remember that they are not the only GP practice in Chellaston.

 Finally, I hope you have completed the latest “Vision for Chellaston” form which you should have had through your letterbox in January.  If not,  let us have it back as soon as possible,  by post, one of the collection boxes or electronically through our web-site.

 We look forward to seeing you on the 24^th.

 John Bowden

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