A new Chadwell Heath health centre celebrated its grand opening this week with plenty of cupcakes, face paint and balloon animals for its most important patients.
The Grove, formerly known as Grovelands, opened on May 10 and is a targeted children’s health facility bringing together specialists from all fields to serve some of Redbridge’s youngest patients in one central location.
“We are very confident that it will deliver a better quality service for children and young people and their parents for many years to come,” said Bob Edwards, Redbridge’s integrated care director.
Children can receive care for a litany of physical and mental health needs at the centre in Grove Road, including dietetics, occupational therapy and Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services.
After years of integration, the facility began operation in early 2018. More than 26 rooms are used every day, and each one can be used for multiple services.
Redbridge Councillor Elaine Norman attended the Grove’s opening for a tour and ribbon cutting ceremony.
“The Grove is something to celebrate as it brings together many different services in one place that will deliver a more holistically-based service for children,” Cllr Norman said.
Although the services offered at the Grove are only available through a GP referral, consolidating them into one building simplifies an appointment process that can require parents to spend their days juggling medical schedules and travelling between different buildings.
Individualised care can be difficult because many patients see more than one specialist, optometrist Kamalika Ivanov said.
The Grove allows her and other professionals to see their patients quicker because of how geographically close they all are.
For instance, a child with autism may deal with both hearing and visual impairments. Ms Ivanov and an audiologist could see the child in the same day and eliminate the need for a second trip.
The Grove is meant to make the medical setting feel more relaxed for children. Bright decorations, child-sized chairs and a floor-to-ceiling nature mural minimize any unease.
“It’s a nice environment,” Ms Ivanov said. “Other children might have to go into a hospital environment where they may have bad memories.”
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