As we enter the Autumn of 2024, things are changing.

So as from Monday 9^th September 2024, patients at Harborough Field surgery are being pointed towards a new method of contacting the surgery?

So what is this new method all about?

Anima is an NHS-approved software provider used by 1 million+ patients across the UK. Anima is a communication platform that allows patients to seek care from their GP practice. And once you have registered, you fill in your request, and are contacted about your appointment.

I did raise the point, that not everyone has a Computer, or Mobile Smart Phone, and was told that there are contingency plans in place to include and help the vulnerable.

Drop in tech sessions were being offered to guide local Luddites through the process. These took place between 10.00am and 12.00noon, on 6^th, 10^th, 18^th and 24^th September, 2024.

And there was the offer of adding dependents and elderly patients, if they are registered at Harborough Field Surgery.

One might assume, now that one surgery in town has gone over to Anima, others might well follow in that direction?

How many people have been attached to their phone from first thing of a morning, trying to make an appointment at their surgery?

Busy morning	Flu jab time again

Only to hear a recorded message, that they are waiting in a queue, and spend such a long time waiting to talk to a human being.

All this is “Light years” away from where myself and many other veteran patients would have visited the doctors.

No 11 Park Road - now The Linnets - formerly the home of Doctor B W Paine, with the practice attached. His partners were Dr Clark and Dr Book.

This was at Park Road, to be seen not only on the day of your illness and visit, but by the morning, or evening session on that same day!

Those big heavy wooden benches in the waiting room would be filled with the needy, and you hitched along, until the doctor called you in to the surgery.

He would have been wearing a white coat, which would have been in pristine condition. And was no doubt laundered by his good lady wife, who would have used the washing powder of the day.

The few that were around had powerful name’s such as Oxydol, Persil, Daz, Tide, and even OMO.

The surgery itself would have the aroma of “surgical spirit,” or whatever was used then?

Everything was sturdy, and looked like it was built to last forever.

Depending on the movements of the day, it would have either been with doctor Clark, or doctor Paine.

Many baby’s were delivered at home, assisted in to this world by their doctor. The NHS itself was just an infant at this time, having come available to all in 1948.

Every household was sent a leaflet informing them of the “Free at point of use” medical care.

One doctor may have been doing “home” visits, while the remaining doctor would have taken that session at Park Road. Doctor Paine lived at No 11 Park Road - with the practice attached. That house went on to be The Linnets.

His partners were Dr Clark, who lived in Irchester, and Dr Brook who came to the practice later on. And later Dr Brook moved into the house at number 11 Park Road.

All the doctors in the town would have operated this same format of seeing you on the day of your need.

In 1968 the practice moved in to the modern purpose built site at Adnitt Road, and was aptly named “Rushden Medical Centre”.

1968 Staff of the Treatment Room

l-r : Margaret Smith, Janice Garrett, Ann Eades, Audrey Hitcham (receptionist), Carole Perry, Lorna Haverson

You may well have personal thoughts on what it was like to see a doctor in those days.

The three practices that had previously been located around Rushden were designated colours.

The Blue Practice, consisted of Doctors McKendrick, Smith and Hadden,and had worked from 20 Church Street.

The Yellow Practice, was the surgery from their surgery from Park Road, and housed Doctors Lean, Cunningham and Lumb.

Finally the Green Practice was made up of Doctor Clark and Brook.

The idea of building the Medical Centre, came from Dr Paine, and nine doctors moved to that site in total.

At Adnitt Road, the treatment room services were second to none, and staff took care of stitches, Blood samples were taken, Ear Syringing was done for you, Wounds were dressed, even if they were caused by an accident, or you had an operation; the list was pretty comprehensive.

The staff on site always seemed to get things done and sorted, without directing you to sit for ages at a hospital.

To a certain extent this was Rushden’s mini emergency port of call, all during the opening hours of the surgery.

Adnitt Road 2024	New patients welcome at Adnitt Road

So is the NHS better in modern times? Have we made progress? Where will it end up?

Monday 9^th September, 2024 arrived, and the feed-back that I heard was positive, booking was prompt, and patients were seen later that day.

Talking of arriving, Rushden fun fair soon rolled in to Spencer Park to begin their annual period of fun and entertainment in town. Locally known as Feast Week always following the 19th September.

The weather on that morning was Autumnal, with a real nip in the air; it did brighten up in the afternoon with temperatures of 17.1C at 4 pm.

We can all keep an eye on the weather locally, by going to: http://www.rushden-weather.co.uk/

On a lighter note, and taken from the writing skills of Ray Galton and Alan Simpson, who wrote the “Blood Donor” sketch — the words of the comedy actor genius “Tony Hancock” — I was glad to see the back of those “Leeches”!