GP leader opposes ‘headlong rush’ to polyclinics

The chairman of the GP committee of the British Medical Association (BMA) has rejected what he calls a “headlong rush” to polyclinics following the publication of a report by the NHS Confederation.

Dr Laurence Buckman claims that health centres, or polyclinics as they are known in London, could potentially undermine existing routes for delivering superior healthcare that are long established.

He argues that while there may well be a case for establishing polyclinics in specific circumstances where both clinicians and local patients agree there is a proven need in their area, the BMA is against the needless rush into such centres.

The BMA claims that such movement is a current feature of activity by primary care trusts all over the country.

Dr Buckman said: “Rather than being forced to create new services in this way, primary care trusts should be encouraged to invest in their local GP practices and support joint working between practices.”

He added that such investment would deliver the Darzi Review goals without the risk of destabilising or duplicating already available services while also offering greater value for money for taxpayers.

In the interim report on the “Our NHS, Our Future” review published in October 2007, Lord Darzi emphasised that the main focus for the NHS must be high quality care for all.