NHS Confederation: Flexibility is key

A centrally-imposed model for general practice must be avoided by politicians planning the future of primary care, the NHS Confederation claims.

The organisation, which represents over 95 per cent of NHS organisations, believes larger centres known as polyclinics could bring "significant for patients".

But it has warned that "it is crucial that a "one size fits all" model is not imposed on a national level".

The confederation's comments follow a report from the King's Fund thinktank on polyclinics.

Nigel Edwards, policy director of the NHS Confederation, said its recent report on polyclinics concluded that "it would be a mistake to assume polyclinics can always save money by moving care out of hospital".

"Rather we should focus on how [polyclinics] can allow the NHS to work in a more organised and effective way," Mr Edwards said.

"Polyclinics are not just big new buildings. Centralisation of services would not work in every area, especially rural areas. Models can be virtual, or use existing estates to bring clinicians together. It is essential that clinicians change ways of working and improve care pathways, not just move buildings."

He added that "careful planning" and a locally-based model are key to the success of polyclinics.

"This is not about closing surgeries, but where appropriate, using a polyclinic approach to improve the access to and quality of care for all," Mr Edwards commented.