BMA ‘concerned’ about polyclinics

The British Medical Association (BMA) has expressed its concern regarding government plans to introduce GP-led health centres and polyclinics.

It has attacked what it describes as a centralised one-size fits-all approach to this restructuring and claims government plans have an unrealistic timetable for completion.

The BMA was responding to an argument by shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley, who said that current government plans betray an obsession with the concentration of NHS services into larger and more distant health centres.

Writing in the Yorkshire Post, Mr Lansley said while polyclinics might be appropriate in some areas and communities, the government’s approach has resulted in a top-down diktat to local NHS organisations forcing their opening in their area.

Dr Richard Vautrey, deputy chairman of the BMA’s GPs committee, said: “It appears that primary care trusts have been forced to site new surgeries where they have available buildings rather than where they are needed.”

He added it would be better value for money to invest in existing GP practices to allow them to enhance and expand the services they offer

Dr Vautrey said the government’s approach could undermine many practices, resulting in staff or service reductions which are not in patients’ interest.