Surgery shake-up battle under fire

AN OLDHAM MP has slammed the latest health campaign against GP-led health centres as misleading.

Phil Woolas, MP for Oldham East and Saddleworth, said the British Medical Association’s (BMA) “Support Your Surgery” campaign could cause unnecessary worry for patients.

He said: “I understand that this is a national campaign and in some areas there are changes where GPs choose to close or move. However, in our area the news is very good”.

The BMA’s campaign is urging patients across England to take action against plans for GP-led health centres and polyclinics in every health region.

They fear the new plans could see commercial companies in general practice affecting local GP surgeries.

In Oldham, there are two new GP practices planned for Coldhurst and Hollinwood, and a new health centre planned for Oldham town centre.

But there are no plans for polyclinics in the borough.

The three extra services will be provided in addition to what is currently available in the borough, with no plans to cut services from any doctor’s surgeries in Oldham.

GPs are being given support to look at how they can extend their services further, including extending opening times with extra sessions.

Dr Kailash Chand, from the BMA’s GP committee, said: “The patient voice should be central to this entire process and yet far too often it is being ignored.

“In the majority of places there hasn’t been any consultation whatsoever and these plans are being rushed through at break-neck speed with no thought for their long term impact.”

However, Mr Woolas said: “My recent survey of the public showed strong support for GP appointments out of hours with 50 per cent of respondents saying they felt this was desirable.

“The BMA is out of kilter with the public.”