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Fire at Grenfell Tower - assisting with relief work

Following on from the tragic events in Kensington yesterday morning, Londonwide LMCs is here to support you and your practice staff at this difficult time. Please remember look out for yourselves and your colleagues when dealing under these extraordinary pressures, not just now but especially in the days and weeks ahead when we will learn of the families and individuals among our patients who have been lost, and of the longer term consequences of the families and communities left to rebuild their lives.

Indemnity Arrangements

LCW (London Central and West Unscheduled Care Collaborative) are co-ordinating the relief centres.

Many local GPs are stepping forward to volunteer and support relief in the area. Perhaps it is a sad reflection of the times we practice in, but whether you are paid or not for your services, you should check with your medical defence organisation that you are covered under your indemnity arrangements if offering your time.

Relief Centre Assistance

GP medical assistance is required to support affected patients over the next few days.

If you are available to support LCW, who are coordinating the medical support at the rescue centres for affected patients, please can you contact LCW on rotas@lcw.nhs.uk with the following details:

• Your name
• Your mobile number
• Hours available to support LCW.

The rescue centre locations include:

1. Westway Sports and Fitness Centre, 1 Crowthorne Rd, London W10 6RP
2. Latimer Christian Centre, 116 Bramley Rd, London W10 6SU
3. Maxilla Children’s Centre, 4 Maxilla Walk, London, W10 6NQ

Advice for residents and staying up to date

The Metropolitan Police have advised:

The Metropolitan Police Casualty Bureau is open for members of the public who are concerned about relatives or friends who may have been affected by the fire. The number for the Casualty Bureau is 0800 0961 233. If someone was reported as missing and has been found safe, please call the Casualty Bureau with an update. Grenfell Tower residents are asked to go to the Portobello Rugby Club, 221 Walmer Rd, London W11 4EY and make themselves known.

You can stay up to date with the situation via these sources:

• Kensington and Chelsea council has provided this advice for residents.
• The Metropolitan Police are providing updates via their Twitter account, including this advice for residents, which reflects the Council’s.
• The London Ambulance Service are providing updates on this webpage and via their Twitter account.
• London Fire Brigade are providing updates via their Twitter account.

Support for clinicians treating patients in distressing situations

The BMA also offers free counselling services for GPs on 0330 123 1245 - 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The BMA also has a supportive, confidential Doctor Advisor Service running alongside BMA Counselling, giving doctors and medical students in distress or difficulty the choice of speaking in confidence to another doctor.

If you wish to use the service call 0330 123 1245 and ask to speak to a Doctor Advisor - you will be given the name of a doctor to contact and details of their availability.

Last updated : 19 Jun 2017

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