Now Labour MPs attack 'super-surgeries'

You wouldn't exactly call the Labour government a shining beacon of harmonious unity, yet fresh comments from York MP Hugh Bayley must nevertheless come as a surprise to the higher echelons of the party - not to mention their no-doubt overworked public relations team.

Labour has recently announced plans for giant 'polyclinics', large multi-purpose surgeries that many believe will eradicate the notion of a friendly neighbourhood doctor. The Tories - obviously - have disagreed with the plans ... but this marks the first time a Labour MP has broken cover and voiced his dissent too.

Bayley announced his concern during a Commons debate, insisting that the new plans:

"... could undermine the very services that are now provided in primary care by GPs and practice nurses."

He also pointed out that the scheme may be a little bit on the pointless side:

"Many of the services proposed in the new polyclinics, such as minor surgery, dermatology, audiology and some opthalmology services, are already provided by GPs."

Health Minister Ann Keen is having none of it, however. And that wasn't all she dismissed - Bayley's local Primary Care Trust is in debt to the tune of £19 million, a situation which Keen effectively said she could so nothing about. She then glanced down to her papers and scribbled out a memo: 'send Bayley back to lab for reprogramming.'

Possibly.

Written by C J Davies on 29 Apr 2008 10:29 PM. Permalink