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Fifth of GP surgeries 'at risk' | Fifth of GP surgeries 'at risk' |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Up to a fifth of England's GP surgeries are under threat of closure, the Conservative party is claiming. | Up to a fifth of England's GP surgeries are under threat of closure, the Conservative party is claiming. |
The Tories said their research suggested 1,700 would shut down under plans for new "polyclinics", housing doctors alongside other medical staff. | The Tories said their research suggested 1,700 would shut down under plans for new "polyclinics", housing doctors alongside other medical staff. |
In a speech to the King's Fund, leader David Cameron accused Labour of "trying to abolish the family doctor". | In a speech to the King's Fund, leader David Cameron accused Labour of "trying to abolish the family doctor". |
Heath Secretary Alan Johnson has said Mr Cameron is "misleading the public", insisting GP services will not be cut. | Heath Secretary Alan Johnson has said Mr Cameron is "misleading the public", insisting GP services will not be cut. |
'New money' | 'New money' |
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. |
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. |
What I object to is the Government's policy of imposing polyclinics on local communities without public support David Cameron | What I object to is the Government's policy of imposing polyclinics on local communities without public support David Cameron |
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. |
Doctors and patients' groups have condemned the policy, but the NHS Confederation said they had the potential to improve care. | Doctors and patients' groups have condemned the policy, but the NHS Confederation said they had the potential to improve care. |
The Tory estimates are based on the average number of GPs per practice in each primary care trust, and assume every polyclinic will be staffed by 25 GPs. | The Tory estimates are based on the average number of GPs per practice in each primary care trust, and assume every polyclinic will be staffed by 25 GPs. |
There are currently 8,261 GP practices in England, of which 1,546 are in London. | There are currently 8,261 GP practices in England, of which 1,546 are in London. |
According to the party, 1,091 could close in London, and 609 in the rest of the country. | According to the party, 1,091 could close in London, and 609 in the rest of the country. |
Object | Object |
In his speech to the King's Fund, Mr Cameron said: "Labour has already tried to bring about the end of the district general hospital. Now they are trying to abolish the family doctor service. | In his speech to the King's Fund, Mr Cameron said: "Labour has already tried to bring about the end of the district general hospital. Now they are trying to abolish the family doctor service. |
"Communities which have lost their Post Office, their local shops and their local police station, are now going to lose their doctor. | "Communities which have lost their Post Office, their local shops and their local police station, are now going to lose their doctor. |
"Of course there are circumstances where GPs coming together in larger practices or larger premises, and offering new services, are entirely welcome. | "Of course there are circumstances where GPs coming together in larger practices or larger premises, and offering new services, are entirely welcome. |
"What I object to is the government's policy of imposing polyclinics on local communities without public support and in the face of opposition from doctors." | "What I object to is the government's policy of imposing polyclinics on local communities without public support and in the face of opposition from doctors." |
But Mr Johnson said Mr Cameron had exposed his party as opponents of NHS investment. | But Mr Johnson said Mr Cameron had exposed his party as opponents of NHS investment. |
"We are opening 150 new GP-run health centres, open from 0800 to 2000, seven days a week," the health secretary said. | "We are opening 150 new GP-run health centres, open from 0800 to 2000, seven days a week," the health secretary said. |
"Because this programme is all paid for with new money, none of it will lead to a reduction in traditional GP services." | "Because this programme is all paid for with new money, none of it will lead to a reduction in traditional GP services." |
Lord Victor Adebowale, chief executive of Turning Point, which provides care to people with complex addiction and mental health problems, said: "It is simplistic to say that polyclinics are either the way forward or that they signal the end of local GP provision. | |
"We have consistently welcomed the idea of polyclinics, but only if they are designed to provide a new kind of service that is accessible to everyone and is better suited to meeting the needs of local people." |