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GPs stage revolt over polyclinic
Patients back us, say doctors who reject move to ‘super-surgery’ planned for hospital
REBEL doctors have plunged plans to open London’s first polyclinic into disarray.
Four practices were due to come together as a “super-surgery” at University College London Hospital but partners at the Bedford Square, Museum Street, Gower Street and Gower Place surgeries have all signed a formal agreement rejecting the move.
Their stand comes ahead of a major public meeting with patients tonight (Thursday).
Dr Ali Alibhai, a partner at the Gower Place practice, said: “This is a decision we have taken after talking with our patients. They are quite clear in that they are happy with the service they are getting and that a polyclinic would not be a step forward.
“Patients fear the relationship with their local doctors will be lost and that they will have to walk farther to see a GP. We have decided as a practice we will not go to the hospital unless we are forced.”
If doctors do not sign up to the polyclinic plan there is a risk that patients could be seduced by the new facility, causing lists to be cut.
Dr Alibhai added: “There has been an incredible feeling of uncertainty in Bloomsbury over the last year – and even now we still do not really know what is happening. Every day we feel anxiety and so do the patients. We feel like we are in a trap.”
The primary care trust (PCT) said no practices would be “forced” to move into the hospital and that a comprehensive business plan would come before a board meeting later this year. But there are fears that GPs are being put in a position where the polyclinic is the only option for survival.
The PCT’s own feasibility study shows that 26,000 Bloomsbury patients must sign up to the polyclinic to make the project viable.
Dr Denise Bavin, a partner at the Museum Street surgery for 20 years, said patients had given her confidence to take a stand. “I have been impressed with the numbers and the strength of feeling from patients who say they do not want the surgeries to move,” she said. “This is not an under-doctored area and none of the surgeries are failing.”
She said some partners had said they would also have “a problem” working for a private provider.
The PCT has already been linked with Richard Branson’s Virgin Healthcare over plans for the polyclinic. In April, American firm UnitedHealth took over the running of three south Camden surgeries.
Candy Udwin, from Keep Camden GPs in the NHS campaign, said: “We were told in an earlier meeting with the PCT that no Bloomsbury GPs would be privatised, but they will not confirm that in writing. We want to make sure that when this plan is put out for consultation there are specific questions on the nature of the tendering process.”
A PCT spokeswoman said: “Camden PCT has no intention of forcibly ‘closing down’ these practices. The PCT is always looking at relocation options that would improve quality for GPs and patients. As part of this, we have been discussing relocation options with four surgeries in Bloomsbury. In no circumstances would the PCT relocate a surgery without the agreement of the practice or consultation with patients.”
Labour MP Frank Dobson will speak tonight (Thursday) at a public meeting attended by doctors and patients at University London Union, in Malet Street, Bloomsbury, from 7pm. |
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