BMJ  2008;336:916-918 (26 April), doi:10.1136/bmj.39552.381053.DB

Feature

When is a polyclinic not a polyclinic?

¹ London SW16 6ND

To appease concerns over the future of primary care, will we see polyclinics rebranded as health centres? Rob Finch investigates

Polyclinics will end traditional general practice in every area of the country, leading to factory-style care in supersized group practices, with no thought for continuity of patient care. That was the thinking that led GPs from Worcestershire to make a six hour round trip to 10 Downing Street to petition Gordon Brown against the policy last month.

Doctors believe that, in the senior echelons of the NHS, word has gone out that every primary care trust must have a polyclinic. Yet the Department of Health categorically denies a national policy of polyclinics. And even Lord Darzi himself told the House of Lords recently: "Those suggesting that I envisage the herding of GPs into polyclinics imposed from above have missed the whole tenor of my report, which is about ensuring that change is led from the bottom up by local clinicians."[1] His words were echoed by a. departmental spokeswoman, who told . . . [Full text of this article]

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This article has been cited by other articles:

• Cowie, L., Morgan, M., White, P., Gulliford, M. (2009). Experience of continuity of care of patients with multiple long-term conditions in England. J Health Serv Res Policy 14: 82-87 [Abstract] [Full text]  
• Jones, R (2008). Primary care research and clinical practice: gastroenterology. Postgrad. Med. J. 84: 454-458 [Abstract] [Full text]  
• Rechel, B., McKee, M. (2008). Lessons from polyclinics in Central and Eastern Europe. BMJ 337: a952-a952 [Full text]  
• Taylor, C., Riley, B. (2008). Crammer's Corner. InnovAiT 1: 533-535 [Full text]  
• Higson, N. (2008). What is and what is not a polyclinic. BMJ 336: 1145-1145 [Full text]  
• Odent, M. R (2008). Should "policlinics" replace "polyclinics"?. BMJ 336: 1146-1146 [Full text]  
• Dixon, M. (2008). Will polyclinics deliver real benefits for patients? Yes. BMJ 336: 1164-1164 [Full text]  
• Stone, K. (2008). Community hospitals are polyclinics by another name. BMJ 336: 1145-1145 [Full text]  

Rapid Responses:

Read all Rapid Responses

What is and what is not a polyclinic

Nigel Higson
bmj.com, 25 Apr 2008 [Full text]

Polyclinics - a learning network?

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bmj.com, 28 Apr 2008 [Full text]

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bmj.com, 1 May 2008 [Full text]