Reassurance on surgeries

3:33pm Tuesday 24th June 2008

I WRITE in response to Lisa Seeney's letter, headlined 'Doctors' delivery', in Your view on Wednedsay, June 18.

Ms Sweeney says that she believes the Government's plan is to 'introduce new large GP clinics and close most, if not all, of the smaller surgeries'. I would like to reassure Ms Seeney and readers that this is not the case at all.

In Worcestershire, the Primary Care Trust is required by the Government to build one GP-led health centre. This will be located in Worcester City and will be open by the end of March 2009.

The centre will offer GP and nurse appointments seven days a week, from 8am to 8pm. It will offer a full range of primary care medical services to all members of the local population (whether or not they choose to be registerd with this centre), including pre-bookable appointments, walk-in services and other services.

The aim of the centre is to increase access to GP services and primary care - not decrease it. Absolutely no GP clinics in the county will be closed.

It is also hoped that the GP-led health centre will improve health outcomes in deprived areas, create innovative services and patient choice.

Full details of the county's GP-led health centre are available of the PCT's website at www.worcestershirehealth.nhs.uk/WorcestershirePCT.

Paul Bates

Chief executive, Worcestershire Primary Care Trust

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