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 20 July 2008 08:16 BST

Conservatives attack government's GP surgery plans

Monday, 21 Apr 2008 09:27
Conservatives say up to 1,700 GP surgeries could close as a result of polyclinics

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Up to 1,700 GP surgeries could be closed under the government's plans for the future of local healthcare, the Conservatives have claimed.

Proposals for polyclinics have been outlined by the government, which would see the clinics carry out GPs' services as well as some minor surgery.

Some healthcare professionals have reacted with concern to the proposals, saying GPs would be "herded" into polyclinics without evidence to show the centres would benefit patients.

The Conservatives argue that the national network of polyclinics will result in over 1,000 GP surgeries being closed in London as well as another 600 surgeries across the rest of the country.

In a speech at the King's Fund today David Cameron will promise to fight the closures, criticising the government for "imposing" new polyclinics on local communities.

"The government has already tried to bring about the end of the district general hospital. Now ministers are trying to abolish the family doctor service," the Conservative leader will say.

"Communities which have lost their Post Office, their local shops and their local police station, are now going to lose their doctor."

He will add: "Of course there are circumstances where GPs coming together in larger practices or larger premises, and offering new services, are entirely welcome.

"What I object to is the government's policy of imposing polyclinics on local communities without public support and in the face of opposition from doctors."

Last week a report from the NHS Confederation called for a "calm debate" about polyclinics, arguing that many of the potential benefits of polyclinics have not been fully considered due to misconceptions and concerns surrounding them.

The confederation says adopting the new model of care could improve the quality of patient care and experience.

But it says that polyclinics would not be appropriate in every area and warns that there should be no imposed national blueprint for how the clinics should work.
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