Tessa Jowell Health Centre (Partnership Southwark)

A real testament to the community, but also importantly, to Tessa Jowell’s vision for an integrated and holistic centre. – Ian Abbs (Chief Executive, Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital)​

About the partnership

• Partnership Southwark was formally established in 2019, building on exploratory work in 2017/18 for a Community Based Care Programme ​
• The Partnership Southwark Board has representatives from each of the partner organisations and meets on a quarterly basis
• Tessa Jowell Health Centre in East Dulwich opened to appointment only patients in May 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. The opening was the culmination of many years of work to create innovative new services in a modern building to serve the people of Southwark ​
• Services are provided by Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust and Tessa Jowell GP Surgery. Other specialist, voluntary and community organisations also provide services
• The building was the first community diagnostic centre in south east London ​

Challenges experienced and overcome

• The health and care landscape in Southwark is huge, complex and fragmented. The population is diverse, which sometimes makes it difficult to focus resources on an individual’s needs and for people to access the right care and support when they need it​
• Strong current focus on health where greater support could be assigned to social needs, including the social needs arising from inequalities
• COVID-19 pandemic and vaccination programme saw the centre used as the main vaccine centre for south Southwark. These changes in the way of working slowed down collaboration in other areas due to COVID guidelines. Collaboration efforts now have more tools available e.g. online appointments

What has gone well?

• The building was completed with input from future staff and patient representatives into what services should be provided, the navigation of the centre, its name and its design
• Continued strong work with the community. Artworks being designed with the public through Dulwich Picture Gallery to make the centre welcoming for all communities. LinkAge Southwark presence in the centre helping to support older people with things that impact health such as housing and finances.​
• Co-location has enabled effective coordination of care. E.g. links between physio and the renal unit for more tailored exercises for patients, joined up appointments for diabetes between GP, eye-checks and podiatry
• Offering diagnostics, such as blood testing, MRI and ultrasound, as well as consultant clinics, such as neurology and gastroenterology has reduced travel time for patients, strain on hospital capacity and enabled better use of the NHS estate

Result

• Improved access to GP and community care for the residents of Southwark and surrounding area. By delivering a range of health and wellbeing services all under one roof more holistic care has been provided to patients.​
• Extended Primary Care Service (EPCS) have moved to The Tessa Jowell Health Centre.​
• Community services more joined up with clinical services which increases likelihood of patients keeping appointments and booking appointments earlier to get something checked or treated.

Want to hear more? Contact: Julian Walker, Head of Communications and Engagement, Partnership Southwark. Partnership.Southwark@selondonics.nhs.uk​