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The Independent has an anti-polyclinic story on the front page today. I don't know about the "privatisation by stealth" the BMA et al are on about, but I can say that despite their claims, the current system is not serving heavy users of the NHS.
I'm in 2 of the "higher use" groups (mother of small child, chronic condition) and I can firmly say that the current system is not serving me well at all. I attend a traditional, 4 doctor GP surgery, and the only services I can get at my local GP are visits and immunisations. For everything else, I have to shlep. Blood tests and maternity care (as well as all specialist treatment) is done at the hospital; baby clinic and health visiting is at the larger health centre. I waste time and don't get things done as quickly as they should be because of the time involved. How can chronic conditions be monitored effectively when a patient needs to make a separate appointment and get to the hospital for a simple blood draw? I've had to reschedule my appointment to do this 3 times. If my GP could do this at the surgery my blood levels would be far better monitored. (I can be sure about this, because it's how my old doctor did it!) Having to go to the hospital in particular is awful--it takes the most time, is the most expensive (especially if you need to pay for parking) and is the most inconvenient to schedule.
As for the supposed advantages of traditional surgeries--personal care--I'm laughing. Under the current system, it's impossible to ensure that unless you're registered at a 1 or 2 doctor practice (and suffer the attendant issues of limited surgery hours). Either you get emergency appointments with whoever's available that day, or you have to wait 2-3 weeks to get an appointment with the GP of your choice, which isn't always practical.
While some people may lose out from not being able to walk 5 minutes to their local doctor, I think a lot of patients will be better served by larger health centres that can actually offer them the services they need. It can't be better for the elderly or disabled if they can get to their GP, but need to go halfway across the borough to the hospital for everything else.
I'm in 2 of the "higher use" groups (mother of small child, chronic condition) and I can firmly say that the current system is not serving me well at all. I attend a traditional, 4 doctor GP surgery, and the only services I can get at my local GP are visits and immunisations. For everything else, I have to shlep. Blood tests and maternity care (as well as all specialist treatment) is done at the hospital; baby clinic and health visiting is at the larger health centre. I waste time and don't get things done as quickly as they should be because of the time involved. How can chronic conditions be monitored effectively when a patient needs to make a separate appointment and get to the hospital for a simple blood draw? I've had to reschedule my appointment to do this 3 times. If my GP could do this at the surgery my blood levels would be far better monitored. (I can be sure about this, because it's how my old doctor did it!) Having to go to the hospital in particular is awful--it takes the most time, is the most expensive (especially if you need to pay for parking) and is the most inconvenient to schedule.
As for the supposed advantages of traditional surgeries--personal care--I'm laughing. Under the current system, it's impossible to ensure that unless you're registered at a 1 or 2 doctor practice (and suffer the attendant issues of limited surgery hours). Either you get emergency appointments with whoever's available that day, or you have to wait 2-3 weeks to get an appointment with the GP of your choice, which isn't always practical.
While some people may lose out from not being able to walk 5 minutes to their local doctor, I think a lot of patients will be better served by larger health centres that can actually offer them the services they need. It can't be better for the elderly or disabled if they can get to their GP, but need to go halfway across the borough to the hospital for everything else.
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