Oak Park Community Clinic

Opened the debate

On behalf of Havant residents and NHS patients, Alan Mak welcomed the opportunity to raise concerns about the sudden removal of diagnostic services at Oak Park clinic in Havant. He highlighted that the clinic is a vital community asset providing essential healthcare services such as therapies, out-patient clinics, and diagnostics. The closure before Christmas caused significant distress among residents due to lack of consultation with patients, GPs, community groups, and care providers. This sudden withdrawal has led to confusion, anger, and fear, especially given the timing during peak NHS pressures. Mak emphasised that local diagnostic services are crucial for timely treatment decisions and avoiding acute hospital visits. He also noted travel difficulties faced by residents moving from Havant to St Mary’s in Portsmouth due to road closures and poor public transport links. Additionally, GP surgeries expressed concern over longer journeys and financial burdens on patients. Mak requested the restoration of diagnostic facilities at Oak Park or another site as quickly as possible.

Government Response

The Minister for Secondary Care, Stephen Kinnock, acknowledged Alan Mak's concerns and provided an update on the situation. He explained that Practice Plus Group had taken the decision to move equipment from Oak Park clinic to St Mary’s community hospital due to limited lease value for money. The NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight integrated care board (ICB) is working to mitigate disruption, including reviewing alternative provision for continuity of services. Portsmouth hospitals university NHS trust has recommenced non-obstetric ultrasound at the Oak Park CDC with financial support from NHS England's national diagnostic programme. X-ray and echocardiography services are being reviewed by the ICB in collaboration with Practice Plus Group to restore them at Oak Park clinic as soon as possible. Kinnock highlighted the government’s commitment to bringing more diagnostic services into community settings, aiming to build five more CDCs and ensure they operate 12 hours a day, seven days a week. He also mentioned that NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight ICB has been allocated £49.3 million in capital funding from the constitutional standards recovery fund for supporting new capacity and productivity improvements in diagnostic services.