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GPs to fight super clinics
Date published: 21/05/2008
Doctors are to fight Government plans which they believe could spell the end of the local surgeries.
GP representative Dr Kailash Chand has urged GPs and practice managers to protest against plans to build 150 polyclinics across England.
The centres, which could be run by the private sector, would open 8am to 8pm seven days a week and house up to 25 GPs.
Extra services such as antenatal and postnatal care, community care and specialist advice would also be provided.
A new hard-hitting campaign to save local surgeries, including posters, petitions and cards to send to Prime Minister Gordon Brown, is being launched next week and has been sent to every GP surgery in Rochdale.
Government officials have accused the British Medical Association (BMA) of scaremongering.
But Dr Chand said patient care could be compromised.
He said: “At the end of the day, services are going to be affected which will affect patients.
“If these polyclinics are built in the centre of towns, what will happen to the elderly or the critically sick?”
Have Your Say
I agree with Dr Chand patient care would be compromised. Doctors build up a trust with patients. Our Doctors are very much apart of local communities. I, like most others have been with the same surgery and seen the same Doctors for years they looked after me when I had my babies. Polyclinics will impersonalise the service. By all means improve what we have got but don't take away what we already have.
Wait a minute, last I heard, Labour's motto was 'we work for you' but we are not going to have any GP practises anymore, just super centers miles from home, how does that benefit the public? Answer: It doesn't, Labour are saving money!
By conitalia @ 21/05/2008 18:25:31
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