Super surgeries not fit, say GPs

THANET will have a so-called super surgery, despite opposition from some isle doctors.

The Eastern and Coastal NHS Primary Care Trust has earmarked the isle as one of the areas most in need of better access to GPs and health services and claims that by next year Thanet residents will have access to GPs seven days a week.

Extra health services will also be on offer once a site for the super surgery has been found but the trust admits that longer hours will only come in when doctors are available to work the extra shifts. c

A trust spokesman said: "Swale and Thanet have been identified by the PCT as the two areas most in need of improved access to a GP and other primary care services.

"It is anticipated that by September 2009 Thanet residents will be able to access a GP from 8am to 8pm, seven days a week, by utilising the Thanet GP-led Health Centre Services.

"Additional services, specifically designed to meet the needs of the local population, may be commissioned once discussions with local Thanet GPs are completed.

"However, in the first instance, GP services only will be offered.

"Further ongoing work will be carried out to identify potential premises and location of these services."

But the proposals have come under fire from isle doctors who believe the centres could damage the doctor-patient relationship, and the vital NHS cash being invested could be better spent on improving existing surgeries

Doctor Robert Sadler, who has been a Ramsgate doctor for more than 20 years, said: "They could work, but members of the Royal College of General Practitioners of which I am a member has concerns about the care principle.

"Patients might see a nurse rather than a doctor and that might delay the diagnosis of an illness. or the receiving of treatment.

"There is also the issue of information, if they work in a network of surgeries there needs to be a triage process where those who treat you can access your medical information, and that information is protected.

"You also have to remember that this surgery will it will only cater for 5,000 to 6,000 patients, which is only about three per cent of Thanet's population.", meaning there is gold-plated service for some, and not for others. At our surgery in Dumpton for example we have around 25,000 patients, so in comparison it isn't going to be that big.

"We're in favour of extending traditional practices like this rather than re-inventing the wheel. But it seems that it is more about government sound bites than anything else."

The trust has refused to confirm where the surgery will be.

It is thought the system will probably start as a network of already existing practices.

What are super-surgeries?

GP-led surgeries are the brainchild of health minister Lord Darzi, who has been commissioned by the Prime Minister Gordon Brown to to carry out a wholesale review of the NHS.

They are billed as a way of offering patients both access to doctors and services usually offered by hospitals, such as x-ray, scans, blood tests, minor injuries and minor illnesses, outpatient appointments, post and antenatal care, outpatient rehabilitation, physiotherapy and speech and language therapy.

Plans would see each super surgery having some 25 doctors for a population of 50,000. Ministers want to see 150 of the surgeries across the country but the British Medical Association says they will be wasteful and will undermine continuity of patient care.