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Islington Tribune - by TOM FOOT
Published: 29 August 2008

PCT chiefs hint at new polyclinic plan

Move sparks fears of private takeover of health care

FEARS that the private sector is set to seize control of doctors surgeries in Islington were raised this week after health chiefs gave a strong indication that a polyclinic will open in the borough.
The Primary Care Trust (PCT) has so far resisted pressure from central Government to open the controversial super surgeries, where local practices are closed and doctors are bundled together with hospital outpatient services under one roof.
But this week PCT chiefs called for the public to share their views on their “commissioning strategy”, to be announced in October, which includes concrete plans for a polyclinic in Islington.
A spokesman said: “Islington PCT is in the process of developing a strategy for how we are going to improve primary and community care services in the borough over the next five years.
“The strategy will include our plans for developing our approach to the ‘polyclinic model’.
“Once we have developed our approach it will be another two to three years before it is implemented in Islington.”
He added: “In common with all PCTs in England we are required to procure one GP-led Health Centre by the end of March 2009.
“The new service will be wrapped around an existing practice and the PCT will not determine a site for this new service until tenders have been received.”
Polyclinics are part of sweeping health reforms pioneered by Lord Darzi.
While GPs support the principle of polyclinics, there are fears that private firms like Virgin Healthcare or the UnitedHealth Group will run polyclinics because the contracts will be put out to competitive tender.
In Camden, private firms have already outbid local doctors to run practices put out for tender in this way.
Finding space to build polyclinics has been a problem in neighbouring boroughs, with PCTs in Camden and Westminster eyeing-up hospital land for development.
Haringey PCT plans six polyclinics and 14 larger practices, with the “hubs” set to handle 25,000 to 35,000 patients.
Patient groups in the area have launched a campaign against the proposals, which they claim will lead to the closure of as many as four out of five surgeries.
Concerns have been raised that continuity of care would suffer and increased travelling times would disadvantage older and disabled people.
Patients are advised to let the PCT know what they think about primary care by completing a form at www.islingtonpct.nhs.uk

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