Lib Dems support local doctors over polyclinics

3.52.10pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 16th Jul 2008

The Government is forcing the polyclinic initiative without considering the effects on rural communities

Mark Oaten MP and prospective MPs for Winchester and Meon Valley, Martin Tod and Liz Leffman, met with doctors in Alresford on Monday to listen to their concerns and back their campaign opposing polyclinics in rural Hampshire.

There is concern that the Government initiative is being forced on Primary Care Trusts without consideration of the needs of rural communities like Winchester.

There are fears that creating a polyclinic would damage the patient-doctor relationship and result in a loss of local service for constituents.

Mark Oaten MP commented:

"I support our local GPs' opposition to polyclinics in Hampshire and am going to ask some questions in Parliament about the Government's plans.

"I can see how polyclinics could be right in some major cities, but that doesn't mean they're right for us. It's wrong to have one size fits all solutions imposed in parts of the country like ours where they're not appropriate."

Prospective Meon Valley MP Liz Leffman said:

"The Labour Government is out of touch with the needs of people living outside large towns and cities. Polyclinics may well work there, but in rural areas like Meon Valley, what people want is for good primary care to be available locally.

"The majority of people visiting GP's surgeries are the very young and the elderly - it is hard to see how these people will benefit from a polyclinic located miles away from where they live."

Prospective Winchester MP Martin Tod added:

"We don't need top-down London solutions to our healthcare here in Hampshire. It would be far better for the Government to build up services in our existing health centres and GP surgeries, or to invest in improving out of hours care and getting us more NHS dentists.

"It's time the Government listened to local patients and local medical professionals rather than diverting cash to pet projects like polyclinics that aren't right for areas like ours."