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Published:
February 7, 2008
GPs
claim reforms put patient care in Burnham and Highbridge at threat
GPs
in Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge fear medical centres in the town
could be put under threat by new government reforms that seek
to introduce longer opening hours.
GPs
at the two medical centres are urging patients to contact local
MPs and write to the Prime Minister amid concerns that government
pressure to extend opening hours without additional funding could
put the future of the surgeries under threat.
In
a monthly newsletter to patients, Highbridge Medical Centre (pictured)
says: "If surgeries were to stay open for longer, and no
extra money was made available for this, then we fear that there
will be fewer appointments and resources available for patients."
"Although
the government may present their plans as 'patient friendly' or
responding to 'consumer' demand, a GP service is not the same
as a supermarket or a bank. We know for our patients that quality
is the most important concern, and that we will not offer our
best service if we are continually undermined by reforms that
do not offer real benefits."
 "There
is no benefit to patients of a surgery opening for longer if the
quality of care is poorer and the patients who need care most
find it harder to get the appointments they need."
"We are concerned that extended hours are an excuse for the
government to introduce large GP surgeries or 'polyclinics' that
may be run by multi-national companies. GPs are worried that this
will put your local surgeries at risk."
The
comments in the newsletter go on to state: "We understand
that many patients have to work and sometimes may struggle to
get an appointment time that fits in with work and other commitments.
At present, your surgery is contracted to provide services between
8am and 6.30pm Monday to Friday and out of hours care is provided
by your local Primary Care Trust."
"We
work hard to ensure those who need emergency appointments can
see a doctor as soon as possible and satisfaction levels with
GP services remain very high. Eight of ten patients say they are
happy with current opening hours."
"The
BMA, the doctor's trade union, has offered for GPs to work longer
hours, however we would not want patient care to suffer as a result
of any changes. The government is not offering any extra money
for surgeries to open longer and we want to ensure that longer
opening hours are properly funded. For this reason, we are currently
opposed to the proposed changes."
And
Dr Berge Balian, Chairman of the Local Medical Council, told Burnham-On-Sea.com:
"Extending GP surgery opening hours has not been identified
as a priority for Somerset by patients, the PCT or practices.
By enforcing this change, the Government is shifting the priority
of the NHS away from care for those who need it the most, and
towards care based on supermarket convenience and political wants."
The
government argues that reforms are needed to introduce more flexible
opening hours and create better value for money for tax payers.
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