Super surgeries become an election issue
pharmafile | April 26, 2005 | News story | |
Labour plans to create 'super surgeries' designed to grant "entrepreneurial" GPs the opportunity to broaden their scope and offer patients a wider choice of treatment have become one of the many NHS related issues in the election.
Labour announced the changes just days before the election was called, but have been condemned by the Conservatives who promise to preserve the traditional set-up of the 'family doctor'.
The move would be incentivised by a Labour government, and could see the number of practices cut by 80% from almost 10,000 today to just 1,800 in a matter of years.
The plans depend on GPs coming together to form much larger practices with at least 10 doctors in each, to create 'super surgeries' which will offer patients direct access to medical tests and treatment for conditions such as diabetes, asthma and arthritis which had previously only been available in hospitals.
The proposals already have the support of the NHS Alliance and the NHS Confederation.
"These changes will improve the health and well-being of every patient using the NHS and will strengthen the role of primary care itself," said Dr Michael Dixon, NHS Alliance chairman.
"Inequalities in the numbers of GPs across the country often mean that places with the greatest need have the lowest number of doctors. Every patient should have access to a GP when they need one."
But the reorganisation has not been universally welcomed. Graham Archard, vice-chairman of the Royal College of GPs said larger practices offered broader expertise and more flexible hours but said there was no evidence that clinical care was improved.
"This demonstrates that the government has no idea what general practice is about," he told The Times newspaper.
"It is about continuity of care, developing relationships with patients and understanding where they are coming from. That depth of knowledge can only be harnessed after years of consultations with patients and their immediate and extended family."
Dr Reid announced the changes after the opening of a new NHS Walk-in centre in Ilford, North East London, and denied claims they would spell the end of the family doctor.
"Contrary to some reports this is not the end of the family doctor. Quite the opposite," he said.
"It is vital that our family doctors remain at the forefront of change and innovation. Giving go-ahead GPs new freedoms not only allows us to get the basics right by providing equal access to a GP for all patients, it will also help deliver a wider range of services right on patients' doorsteps."
Conservative health spokesman Andrew Lansley said: "Within the last week, Labour plans to scrap small GP practices and undermine the role of GPs in managing their patient list have been exposed."
The Conservatives are circulating a 'Save our GPs' petition around the country and says it "believes in a continuing relationship between GPs and patients".
"As a significant step in that direction we will ensure that every GP surgery that wishes to open on Saturday mornings for their patients will be able to do so," Lansley added.
Labour said it would help primary care trusts fund the start-up costs of services that expand into these areas. This expansion could lead to specialist arthritis and asthma clinics working across several PCTs.
Radiographers, physiotherapists and community nurses could also be based in the centres, helping to make the centres a one-stop shop for many patients.
