This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/health/7351109.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Health managers back polyclinics Health managers back polyclinics
(1 day later)
NHS managers have given their backing to polyclinics and attacked the "knee-jerk" reactions of critics.NHS managers have given their backing to polyclinics and attacked the "knee-jerk" reactions of critics.
Ministers want to see the super GP surgeries, housing doctors alongside a host of other health staff, set up across England.Ministers want to see the super GP surgeries, housing doctors alongside a host of other health staff, set up across England.
The policy has been roundly condemned by doctors and patients, but the NHS Confederation said they had the potential to improve care.The policy has been roundly condemned by doctors and patients, but the NHS Confederation said they had the potential to improve care.
And the group added a more balanced debate about the policy was needed.And the group added a more balanced debate about the policy was needed.
Polyclinics are designed to offer a range of care services by social workers, nurses, physiotherapists and doctors.Polyclinics are designed to offer a range of care services by social workers, nurses, physiotherapists and doctors.
While it may sound like the polyclinic system will not resemble the service currently provided by family doctors, in reality it should build on what is best in general practice Nigel Edwards, of the NHS ConfederationWhile it may sound like the polyclinic system will not resemble the service currently provided by family doctors, in reality it should build on what is best in general practice Nigel Edwards, of the NHS Confederation
In particular, the government wants to see them provide services traditionally carried out in hospitals, such as diabetes treatment, minor surgery and diagnostic tests.In particular, the government wants to see them provide services traditionally carried out in hospitals, such as diabetes treatment, minor surgery and diagnostic tests.
The government has called for 150 polyclinics to be set up, seeing them as the future of an NHS where hospitals will concentrate only on the most complicated care.The government has called for 150 polyclinics to be set up, seeing them as the future of an NHS where hospitals will concentrate only on the most complicated care.
The NHS Confederation, which represents local health chiefs, said there were many misconceptions about the new model of care.The NHS Confederation, which represents local health chiefs, said there were many misconceptions about the new model of care.
Its report said the clinics were not about saving money, but improving the quality of care and patient experience.Its report said the clinics were not about saving money, but improving the quality of care and patient experience.
HAVE YOUR SAY Polyclinics are an idea worth exploring and should be given a chance John Pearce, Bolton Send us your comments
The group said the polyclinics could help patients avoid being bounced from GP to hospital and back to GP.The group said the polyclinics could help patients avoid being bounced from GP to hospital and back to GP.
And it hit out at suggestions from doctors that it would undermine continuity of care by pointing out patients could still be regularly seen by one GP at a polyclinic.And it hit out at suggestions from doctors that it would undermine continuity of care by pointing out patients could still be regularly seen by one GP at a polyclinic.
However, the report also warned ministers that there should be no central blueprint for what a polyclinic should look like as needs varied from area to area.However, the report also warned ministers that there should be no central blueprint for what a polyclinic should look like as needs varied from area to area.
ReactionReaction
Nigel Edwards of the NHS confederation supports polyclinics
Nigel Edwards, director of policy at the NHS Confederation, said there had been "knee-jerk" reaction to the proposals.Nigel Edwards, director of policy at the NHS Confederation, said there had been "knee-jerk" reaction to the proposals.
"While it may sound like the polyclinic system will not resemble the service currently provided by family doctors, in reality it should build on what is best in general practice.""While it may sound like the polyclinic system will not resemble the service currently provided by family doctors, in reality it should build on what is best in general practice."
But Dr Laurence Buckman, chairman of the British Medical Association's GPs committee, who has been a long-term critic of the policy, said the doctors' union saw the clinics as a way of getting the private sector more involved in the NHS.But Dr Laurence Buckman, chairman of the British Medical Association's GPs committee, who has been a long-term critic of the policy, said the doctors' union saw the clinics as a way of getting the private sector more involved in the NHS.
"This commercialisation of patient care in the community is the very opposite of the personalised care which the government espouses and which family doctors already provide.""This commercialisation of patient care in the community is the very opposite of the personalised care which the government espouses and which family doctors already provide."
The Department of Health welcomed the intervention of NHS managers.The Department of Health welcomed the intervention of NHS managers.
A spokesman said: "The new health centres will enhance a patient's ability to choose the service that best suits their needs."A spokesman said: "The new health centres will enhance a patient's ability to choose the service that best suits their needs."