New polyclinic in Hounslow could threaten GPs' surgeries (From Hounslow And Brentford Times)

New polyclinic in Hounslow could threaten GPs' surgeries

11:00am Saturday 13th March 2010

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A plan to introduce a second polyclinic in the borough could lead to doctors surgeries being axed, it has been claimed.

Concern has been growing about the future of healthcare after NHS Hounslow revealed a plan to set up another polyclinic at West Middlesex Hospital, in Isleworth.

While much attention has been given to the possibility of the hospital’s accident and emergency and maternity units being downgraded or closed as part of an NHS North West London review, it has been warned that the current trend of setting up polyclinics could also lead to a reduction in GP services.

Conservative parliamentary candidate for Brentford and Isleworth, Mary MacLeod, said: “Labour Ministers want to replace GPs’ surgeries with large super-surgeries. This could mean 1,700 family doctor surgeries could be closed down across England and London is being used as the test bed for these GP cuts.

“We will not replace family doctor surgeries with big, impersonal polyclinics. Polyclinics will only open in areas where they develop naturally because people need them and want them.”

Twenty-four polyclinics are expected to open in London in the next five years.

Lib Dem parliamentary candidate, Andrew Dakers, said: “The role of GP practices across Hounslow remains particularly important and needs further improvement as the borough’s population increases.”

However, Health Minister Ann Keen defended the introduction of polyclinics – and again refuted suggestions that departments at West Middlesex were under threat.

The Brentford and Isleworth MP said: “Polysystems (out of hospital care) are an integral part of the Healthcare for London reforms. They are all about bringing services closer to people’s homes.

“The success of the Heart of Hounslow polyclinic, which I formally opened last month, proves that they give patients what they want. I have been assured by NHS London that there are no parts of Hounslow’s health system that are closing. Quite the opposite – they are growing and developing their services. Any statements that suggest otherwise are deliberate scaremongering.

“The future of health services will be decided by people and clinicians, and any changes that are proposed, such as the development of polyclinics, will deliver better services to patients.”

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