CONTROVERSIAL Government plans for a new privately-owned "super-surgery" in York have come under attack from an unexpected source - the city's Labour MP.
Hugh Bayley has broken party ranks to urge ministers to tear up plans for a giant polyclinic which would bring GP, pharmacy and social care services together under one roof, creating fears that patients could be forced to pay to see a doctor.
North Yorkshire and York Primary Care Trust (PCT) has been commissioned to open one of the new health centres in the region by the end of the year, although it has yet to be confirmed where this will happen.
But GPs in York say they understand a "super-surgery" will arrive in York later this year and are worried it would spell the beginning of the end for free healthcare in the city and the tradition of the family doctor.
Under new legislation drawn up at the end of last year, all health providers are allowed to bid for new NHS contracts, leaving the way clear for private firms to run the polyclinics with the aim of making profits.
During a House of Commons debate, Mr Bayley spoke out against his own party's "super-surgery" plans and voiced his fears to Health Minister Ann Keen about existing GP surgeries losing out on funding to meet the costs of the new centres, which would be staffed by up to 25 doctors.
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"York has some very good GPs and some very good GP practices, and many of the services proposed in the new polyclinics are already provided in practices in York," he said.
"It is important for the Government to realise the health needs of all areas of the country are not the same and that a one-size-fits-all health strategy would not be appropriate in relation to polyclinics.
"If our PCT ended up top-slicing' the resources for GP surgeries in York in order to pay for a polyclinic, it could undermine the very services now provided by GPs and practice nurses.
"I ask the Minister to ensure there is not a quick move within York to a polyclinic, and particularly not to one provided by an independent contractor, which would disrupt the reconfiguration of services which has done so much to improve services and reduce costs in York."
The Department of Health says the "super-surgeries", which would also offer physiotherapy, diabetes treatment, minor surgery and diagnostic tests, would bring healthcare closer to patients' homes than hospitals.
But this has been rubbished by critics of polyclinics, who believe they would force people to travel much further to see a doctor, while North Yorkshire's Local Medical Committee say such a centre in this region would deprive frontline NHS services of £1 million a year.
Have your say
Should private companies make profits from NHS services?
What’s wrong with the idea of having a family doctor? The two that have treated my family over the years know us all by name and have a sound knowledge of our medical history. Are the government really suggesting that the same level of competence can be achieved when you never see the same doctor twice and they in turn have only a mountain of notes for reference? To quote the obvious, “If it aint broke don’t fix it”.
What’s wrong with the idea of having a family doctor? The two that have treated my family over the years know us all by name and have a sound knowledge of our medical history. Are the government really suggesting that the same level of competence can be achieved when you never see the same doctor twice and they in turn have only a mountain of notes for reference? To quote the obvious, “If it aint broke don’t fix it”.
Posted by: GeorgeAppleby, Clifton, York. on 10:21pm Sat 3 May 08
This is exactly the kind of remote control, top heavy, desk bound, excessive 'management' of our essential NHS services that have alienated people. It has brought PCTs into massive debt and robbed services of valuable funds leaving many without or waiting for critical treatment.
WE CAN ONLY HOPE THE GOVERNMENT WILL RESPOND TO THE CLEAR MESSAGE OF THE LAST FEW DAYS AND FORGET IT.
This is exactly the kind of remote control, top heavy, desk bound, excessive 'management' of our essential NHS services that have alienated people. It has brought PCTs into massive debt and robbed services of valuable funds leaving many without or waiting for critical treatment.
WE CAN ONLY HOPE THE GOVERNMENT WILL RESPOND TO THE CLEAR MESSAGE OF THE LAST FEW DAYS AND FORGET IT.
Posted by: Zaphrentites, York on 12:13am Sun 4 May 08
[quote][bold]mrandyc[/bold] wrote:
Hugh Bayley speaks against his party. Have I entered the twilight zone?[/quote] He realises that his party will become even more unpopular than they already are if schemes like this reach fruition, so it is "try and save my own neck in my own constituency" time for dear old Bandwagon Bailey.
mrandyc wrote:
Hugh Bayley speaks against his party. Have I entered the twilight zone?
He realises that his party will become even more unpopular than they already are if schemes like this reach fruition, so it is "try and save my own neck in my own constituency" time for dear old Bandwagon Bailey.
[quote][bold]mrandyc[/bold] wrote:
Hugh Bayley speaks against his party. Have I entered the twilight zone?[/quote] Almost seems like Hugh is recanting his Blairite/Brownite stance and changing sides within the party?
Bad news for Gordon - Hugh would only take a stand if he knows it's not a risk!
mrandyc wrote:
Hugh Bayley speaks against his party. Have I entered the twilight zone?
Almost seems like Hugh is recanting his Blairite/Brownite stance and changing sides within the party?
Bad news for Gordon - Hugh would only take a stand if he knows it's not a risk!
Posted by: Not the only one, York on 9:13am Sun 4 May 08
Go Hugh - after single handedly saving Micklegate Post Office the NHS is next!!! Time must really be up for Gordon if Hugh is actually taking a firm stance on something - whatever next?
Go Hugh - after single handedly saving Micklegate Post Office the NHS is next!!! Time must really be up for Gordon if Hugh is actually taking a firm stance on something - whatever next?
Posted by: TW, Wrong Planet on 12:37pm Sun 4 May 08
[quote][bold]mrandyc[/bold] wrote:
Hugh Bayley speaks against his party. Have I entered the twilight zone?[/quote] What he says and how he votes are two different things - look at the post office issue.
The Liebour party now claim to be listening to the people - if you're listening Hugh, go and ask Gordon to give us a general election
mrandyc wrote:
Hugh Bayley speaks against his party. Have I entered the twilight zone?
What he says and how he votes are two different things - look at the post office issue.
The Liebour party now claim to be listening to the people - if you're listening Hugh, go and ask Gordon to give us a general election
"leaving the way clear for private firms to run the polyclinics with the aim of making profits".
Most people do not realise this is exactly what GPs do with their own practices being independent contractors [bold]not[/bold]directly employed by the NHS.
"leaving the way clear for private firms to run the polyclinics with the aim of making profits".
Most people do not realise this is exactly what GPs do with their own practices being independent contractors notdirectly employed by the NHS.
Posted by: GeorgeAppleby, Clifton, York. on 4:15pm Sun 4 May 08
[quote]if you're listening Hugh, go and ask Gordon to give us a general election[/quote]
While you are at it Referendums on :-
Independence for Scotland.
PR for England.
if you're listening Hugh, go and ask Gordon to give us a general election
[quote]Posted by: GeorgeAppleby, Clifton, York. on 4:15pm today
[quote]if you're listening Hugh, go and ask Gordon to give us a general election[/quote] While you are at it Referendums on :- Independence for Scotland. PR for England.[/quote]
Add the return of capital punishment, and whether we remain in the EU, the latter as compensation for not having the promised referendum on the Lisbon Treaty.
Posted by: GeorgeAppleby, Clifton, York. on 4:15pm today
if you're listening Hugh, go and ask Gordon to give us a general election
While you are at it Referendums on :- Independence for Scotland. PR for England.
Add the return of capital punishment, and whether we remain in the EU, the latter as compensation for not having the promised referendum on the Lisbon Treaty.
Posted by: petethefeet, York on 8:15pm Sun 4 May 08
[quote][bold]Redr[/bold] wrote:
[quote]Independence for Scotland.[/quote] Thats upto the Scottish parliament if they call a referendum. [quote]PR for England.[/quote] Totally agree.[/quote] Why not independance for England?....:-))
Redr wrote:
Independence for Scotland.
Thats upto the Scottish parliament if they call a referendum.
[quote]Or even Yorkshire.[/quote]
The last thing we want is any form of regionalisation, because that's the EU's master plan to carve up England. We want English Independence to settle the Midlothian question once and for all and an end to the Barnett formula.
Or even Yorkshire.
The last thing we want is any form of regionalisation, because that's the EU's master plan to carve up England. We want English Independence to settle the Midlothian question once and for all and an end to the Barnett formula.
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