The National Bargee Travellers Association has raised concerns about a local NHS body’s lack of action to resolve the issue, reports Joe Ives, Local Democracy Reporter

A woman living on a barge has been left “angry and deeply frustrated” after being denied access to a Barnet GP.

Camille Tsang, who works in Colindale, says she has been left without access to a GP after being deregistered by Colindale Medical Centre in September 2024 due to having no fixed address.

Last week, the National Bargee Travellers Association (NBTA) raised concerns about the local NHS body’s lack of action to resolve the issue.

They say Camille complained to North Central London Integrated Care Board (NCL ICB) back in October 2024.

Integrated care boards, launched in 2022, are NHS bodies designed to co-ordinate local NHS services and decide how money is spent on health services. NCL ICB works across Barnet, Camden, Enfield, Haringey and Islington boroughs.

Camille says that, after the NCL ICB failed to help her, she went to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman.

A NBTA spokesperson explained: “They informed her that they couldn’t help with the case unless the NCL ICB states the reasons for the refusal and closes the case.”

The association also accuses the health board of ignoring Camille’s emails and refusing to provide written reasons to close the case.

Camille had been registered near her work in Colindale, describing this as the most practical option because of her way of life, which involves travelling, mainly between waterways in the south-east of England.

After the ICB and health ombudsman failed to resolve the issue, Camille says she approached her local MP, David Pinto-Duschinsky, who got in touch with the NHS care board. Despite this, Camille says she has still been unable to access a GP, after NCL ICB told her they could not close the case – citing delays at Colindale Medical Centre.

Camille, who works in public health, says she is “angry and deeply frustrated at how hard this process has been” and says the experience is causing her a lot of stress.

“I have a connection to Colindale because I have worked here for over ten years,” Camille said, adding: “If I try to get a GP anywhere else, I would be refused because I don’t have a connection to the area.

“It’s horrible knowing that if I need medical help from a GP such as a medical referral, I can’t get it.”

Alan Darbin, a union representative at Camille’s workplace said: “’Everyone in Britain has a right to health care. It’s absolutely terrible that someone could be refused a GP. It’s even more shocking that it is someone who works in health.

“Camille is well known at our workplace for helping others. Now we need to come together to help her get what we who live in houses take for granted.”

The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) approached NCL ICB for comment. A spokesperson said: “NHS North Central London Integrated Care Board is liaising with Colindale Medical Centre to investigate an ongoing complaint.

“In responding to complaints, it is important we establish the relevant facts and information. We sincerely apologise for any delay and understand how frustrating this can be.

“We are working to respond to the patient’s complaint as soon as possible and are contacting them as a matter of urgency.

“Everyone in England can register with a GP practice and we will always work with patients to support them in identifying practices accepting registrations.”

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