GPs campaign against polyclinics

Doctors across the UK have voiced their opposition to polyclinics

A group of doctors in Lancashire have begun campaigning against new health centres which they fear could threaten or close their own practices.

Three "polyclinics", which house doctors alongside other medical staff, are planned on the Fylde in Bispham, Fleetwood and Thornton Cleveleys.

The government said the centres would ease pressure on hospitals, while giving patients more choice.

But GPs in the area said the move could mean the end of local, family doctors.

Polyclinics are designed to offer a range of care services by social workers, nurses, physiotherapists and doctors.

In particular, the government wants to see them provide services traditionally carried out in hospitals, such as diabetes treatment, minor surgery and diagnostic tests.

Because this programme is all paid for with new money, none of it will lead to a reduction in traditional GP services Alan Johnson, health secretary

Dr Tony Naughton, representing 60 GPs in Wyre, said the three new centres would attract about 18,000 patients, devastating smaller local practices across the area.

"What the government hasn't done is give the people the choice of how they want their services reconfiguring," said Dr Naughton.

"Already practices are starting to shrink. There is one local practice in Cleveleys which had a retiring doctor they decided not to replace.

"What we are likely to end up with is the same number of patients being treated from a larger number of buildings."

Dr Naughton said Cleveleys Health Centre has already collected more than 1,000 signatures from patients on a petition against the Thornton/Cleveleys polyclinic plan.

He urged patients to attend public meetings being held in the three areas later this month, adding: "If they get behind us it will be a very difficult argument for the government to sustain."

Health secretary Alan Johnson has previously said the new polyclinics - which the government wants to build in 150 locations - would not threaten local surgeries.

"Because this programme is all paid for with new money, none of it will lead to a reduction in traditional GP services," said Mr Johnson.

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