16
www.bradleystokejournal.co.uk
Ask the Doctor
with Dr Tim Garrod of Bradley Stoke Surgery
Buyer beware
A
mong the usual junk mail offering cut price power tools, leather sofas, and extra garlic bread with a hot ‘n’ spicy pizza, I recently received a letter from a company offering health screening clinics. I am usually dismissive of letters limply addressed to “The Occupier”, but I thought I would read this one, given that I am in the healthcare business. The covering letter had a very impressive looking corporate logo, explaining how clinics were being offered at local hotels, with only limited places available on two specified days. There were references to high tech equipment, and a battery of tests covering a multitude of bodily functions. All this would be undertaken in a single appointment, and a blood sample would be taken by courier to an approved laboratory for detailed analysis. The data from the investigations would be presented in a personal health report, with simple to follow colour coding to highlight abnormal results, and clearly explained by a health specialist. Having drawn us in slack-jawed at this celebration of modern medical science, there were figures comparing their prices with other private screening firms, demonstrating remarkable value for money, and even an additional Over 50s package at no extra cost. No guessing which market they were after then. Inside the letter were flyers carrying anonymised quotes from clients, praising the service they received, and that it was good enough to recommended to their friends. One quote claimed that two tests had highlighted a potentially serious problem which neither they, nor their GP were aware of. There were also illustrated discounts available by ringing their 0800 number. Finally, they quoted various ISO standards and CQC regulations to reassuringly demonstrate the standards they work to. There was also a money back
guarantee, though no details on how that would actually work. Superficially, this was no more than five pages of a slickly presented sales pitch. Initially it made me angry. Let’s raise anxiety levels by suggesting the possibility of serious illnesses you don’t know you have, ratchet it up a bit further by stating limited access to potentially life changing clinics, and then sweeten the whole stomach churning, pulse racing dilemma, with the soothing balm of discounted prices and nationally approved professional standards. But it also set me thinking about how many of the tests were actually clinically appropriate, and would alter an individual’s medical management. There is no doubt that some conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and coronary artery disease can develop without symptoms. But I would also argue that many of the tests on offer would certainly be normal in a healthy individual, so why do them? Simple answer, to make money. In the NHS, we advise that tests are appropriate only if they change the management of a given clinical situation. I am not claiming that the results gained in a private clinic are inaccurate, but questioning whether or not they are actually relevant to that person’s wellbeing. You could put your car through a complete service every week, but it would prove very expensive, and unlikely to make your journey any more enjoyable. If you want to consider a health screen, or are concerned about other aspects of your wellbeing, contact your GP and they will advise you on what investigations would be relevant and helpful, and all through the NHS. If you want to spend your hard earned cash on private screening then please do, but ask yourself: Do you actually need it? Caveat emptor, as they say.
t: 01454 300 400
Nov/Dec 2019
News
Flooding brings renewed calls for lake dredging
A
nother episode of flooding in Bradley Stoke’s Three Brooks Local Nature Reserve, on the morning of Friday 11th October, saw paths covered in several feet of water, making them impassable for children walking to school and commuters using the Concorde Way cycling route. The incident has brought renewed calls for South Gloucestershire Council (SGC) to expedite dredging of the Three Brooks Lake (a.k.a The Duck Pond) to remove the high levels of silt that have accumulated since the task was last carried out in 2005. In a response reported in our November 2018 magazine, SGC said it was “still in the investigation stage of the [de-silting] project” and was “awaiting an estimate and method statement” from its selected contractor. It added that it was “still in the process of identifying and securing funding”. The current town mayor Tom Aditya identified the issue as a priority when he took office in May and the town council subsequently wrote to SGC asking it to “investigate the desilting of the lake at the as a matter of urgency”. The town council’s letter added: “It has been observed that one day the lake can be flooded and then a couple of days later there is significant amounts of
mud exposed with the water levels very low. This would indicate that the lake is not doing what it was designed for i.e. an attenuation pond. The flooding, in turn, causes damage to the paths surrounding the lake.” However, a response received from SGC’s chief executive officer insists that “the lake is not an attenuation pond, it is an amenity lake”, referring to details in the consent granted by the National Rivers Authority in 1993 ahead of the creation of the water feature. The response goes on itemise progress being made on the project, including: • The commissioning of an ecological method statement • The commissioning of aerial images of the site pre works • The working up of estimates of silt to finalise cost estimates In response to an enquiry from the Journal, an SGC spokesperson said: “We have now assessed the quantity of silt that will need to be removed and have carried-out a Reasonable Avoidance Measures for protected species (RAMs) report for the site. The guidance recommends that the work takes place between November and February to minimise any impact on protected species such as Otters, Water Voles and nesting birds. We are still exploring the options for funding the work and will keep the town council fully informed as the project progresses.”
To advertise in this magazine or on our websites, phone The Journal’s sales team on 01454 300 400