A number of people have asked us to clarify our position on polyclinics. There are a number of reasons why this is causing concern.
1. The Healthcare for London consultation which raised the prospect of polyclinics has recently closed, and the joint committee of PCTs will be meeting in June to make decisions.
2. Posters are appearing in GPs surgeries as part of a BMA campaign to “save your local surgery” and some people are getting the misleading impression that surgery closures are planned.
3. NHS London has asked for expressions of interest for pilot polyclinic projects and Brent PCT has put forward two potential facilities for development: Willesden Centre for Health and Care and a development at the Central Middlesex Hospital.
Key Points
Ø Brent PCT is not proposing to close any surgeries and posters suggesting otherwise are misleading. We want to improve primary care and are working with GPs to tackle issues like the poor state of many GP premises in Brent.
Ø No GP will be forced to work in a polyclinic and there is no threat to patients’ relationship with their GP.
Ø We have expressed an interest in developing two potential polyclinics but we are at an exploratory phase and firm proposals are yet to be developed.
Ø We are not planning to develop substantial numbers of single site polyclinics- we have existing new buildings that are not fully occupied and our first priority is to make sure these are effectively utilised.
Ø We are attracted to the network model of polyclinics- groups of GPs working together in a locality to provide a greater range of services over extended hours.
Ø We have launched a primary care strategy development process which will be led by our professional executive committee. We intend to be open and inclusive and involve not just professionals, but the local authority and the public in its development. We shall consult on this strategy in the autumn.
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Mark Easton
Chief Executive
