Darzi defends plans for polyclinics

12:05pm Sunday 6th July 2008

The architect of the Government's NHS reforms has defended the controversial plan for polyclinics, insisting no GP surgeries will close as a result of the new centres.

Health minister Lord Darzi said no existing practices would be forced to shut as a result of the 150 new GP-led centres planned for England.

The British Medical Association has warned the plans will depersonalise care and the Tories have claimed up to 1,700 surgeries could be at risk, but Lord Darzi said there had been "confusion" about his plan.

He told BBC1's Andrew Marr show: "We are talking about 150 new health centres across the country.

"This is additional money, this is not replacing current practices."

Asked whether surgeries would close, Lord Darzi said: "Absolutely not. This is additionality. We want patients to have the choice. Patients are telling us that they want better access.

"These health centres will open 8am to 8pm, seven days a week. Is there anything wrong with that, being able to access your GP on a Saturday or Sunday?"

Patients would be able to stay registered with their existing family practice and use the new GP-led centres as a "walk in" service.

A GP-led centre will be built in every English Primary Care Trust (PCT) under the £250 million plans.

But critics have claimed the new clinics will be imposed on areas where there is no need for them and that the money could be better spent by local PCTs.

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