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13 October 2008 08:45 BST

Lord Darzi claims 'polyclinics' better for patients

Saturday, 16 Feb 2008 08:34

Lord Darzi claims 'polyclinics' would be better for patients

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Health minister Lord Darzi has claimed that single doctor practices should be replaced by one-stop health clinics run by several GPs.

In an interview on the BBC Breakfast programme, the health minister claimed that so-called 'polyclinics', which house GPs alongside medical services offered at hospitals, would be better suited to patients' needs.

Proposals exist to install them in London and Lord Darzi claimed they would work nationwide as well.

In the interview, the minister said: "We need to separate that fantastic relationship between a patient and a doctor from where most practices now are on average four, five, six GPs working together under a single roof.

"So I have no doubt in the future we are going to see a critical mass of general practitioners working together, rather than what we used to see in the past which were practices with a single-handed clinician."

The British Medical Association however claimed that the scheme would be wasteful and would undermine continuity of patient care.

Dr Anthony Halperin, chairman of the Patients Association, also expressed doubts over housing GPs and specialists under one roof.

"What I believe patients want is to see their own GP, to have a regular relationship with a GP, and when they require further or more specialist treatment to go to a hospital," he said.

"What you are now doing is interposing a third layer of a polyclinic and I really don’t see any advantage for it."

Health ministers have already claimed that they would like to establish 150 polyclinics in London.

The Heart of Hounslow Centre for Health in west London for example opened last year and as well as housing 18 GPs, has community matrons, district nurses, physios and neuro-rehabilitation teams. End of story

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News Story

Lord Darzi claims 'polyclinics' better for patients

Also In The News

Disgraced MP Derek Conway loses place on "chairman's panel"

London campaign descends into mire amid corruption claims

Osborne: Govt 'lacks vision' on long-term taxation reform