Reconsider plans for polyclinics — rejected — 17 Jun 2008 at 18:52

The majority of MPs voted against the motion:^[1]

• This House
• opposes the Government's plans to impose a polyclinic, or GP-led health centre, in every primary care trust;
• regrets that this could result in the closure of up to 1,700 GP surgeries;
• is concerned that the imposition of polyclinics against the will of patients and GPs could be detrimental to standards of care, particularly for the elderly and vulnerable, by breaking the vital GP/patient link;
• further regrets that these plans are being imposed without consultation;
• is alarmed at the prospective loss of patient access to local GP services at a time when care closer to home should be strengthened;
• believes that the Government's plans would jeopardise the independence and commissioning capability of general practice in the future;
• supports the strengthening of access to diagnostic and therapeutic services without undermining the structure of GP services; and
• calls on the Government to reconsider its plans for polyclinics.

In its place an alternative motion was proposed:^[2]

• This House
• welcomes the Government's support for primary care and proposals to invest £250 million in 113 new GP practices in the most deprived communities and 152 new state-of-the-art GP-led health centres open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week, in every part of the country;
• notes that these centres will offer a wide range of health services including pre-bookable GP appointments and walk-in services for registered and non-registered patients;
• recognises that the exact format and location of each GP-led centre will be decided locally in consultation with patients;
• notes that GPs will not be forced to work in the new GP-led centres and where that is the case patients will still be able to remain registered with their GPs at their existing location and premises;
• acknowledges that the expansion of primary care is essential if the overall health of the population is to improve, and inequalities in health are to be addressed; and
• welcomes plans to ensure enhanced primary care services are capable of meeting the new challenges facing the NHS including tackling lifestyle diseases such as obesity and through more effective screening programmes for the general population.

which passed without a vote.

• [1] Andrew Lansley MP, House of Commons, 16 June 2008
• [2] Alan Johnson MP, House of Commons, 16 June 2008

Debate in Parliament | Source |