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Fears new health centres may mean longer journeys
A COUNCILLOR has expressed fears that proposed new Government health centres could mean the loss of some traditional doctors' surgeries on the Fylde.
Conservative Simon Renwick, a cabinet member on Fylde Borough Council, said he believed a number of GP surgeries could close as a result of the new ‘polyclinics’, as they are known.
He said: “We already knew that the Labour Government is planning to close thousands of local post offices.
“Now I fear that local GP surgeries are in their sights.
“Patients will have further to travel and will be lucky to see the same GP twice.
“Labour politicians in Whitehall must not be allowed to force polyclinics on areas where they are unwanted and not needed.”
Coun Renwick said estimates have suggested four GP surgeries could shut in the North Lancashire PCT area, which includes Fylde, Wyre and Lancaster.
Polyclinics are being seen as the future of the NHS. A trial of the new centres has already taken place in London.
The centres have GPs based alongside other health professionals and care more linked to hospital under the same roof.
They could be rolled out across the country threatening a large number of traditional surgeries.
A spokesperson for North Lancashire Teaching Primary Care Trust said: “A Polyclinic can be described as a clinic that includes facilities that would generally be found in secondary care, for example, x-ray and endoscopy.
“This type of a clinic is the combination of GP services and some hospital services in one building.
“North Lancashire Teaching Primary care Trust will be focusing on GP services with extended facilities and links with other health partners such as dentists and pharmacists in addition to services currently provided.”
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Weather for Blackpool
Sunday 12 February 2012
Today
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Temperature: 4 C to 7 C
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