Meeting over new clinic proposals

Doctors across the UK have voiced their opposition to polyclinics

Patients on the Fylde are set to gather for a meeting over plans for new health centres that doctors say threaten traditional GP surgeries.

More than 3,000 patients have signed a petition against plans for a polyclinic and two surgeries within a 1.5 mile radius of Cleveleys Health Centre.

Doctors say the new practices need a combined 18,000 patients and would devastate existing surgeries.

A public meeting is being held at St Andrews Church on Rossall Road.

Polyclinics are designed to offer a range of care services by social workers, nurses, physiotherapists and doctors.

They don't want to lose their family doctor, they like their family doctor Janis Smith, Practice manager

It is the combination of the polyclinic and two more surgeries being planned in Bispham, Fleetwood and the Thornton Cleveleys area that has smaller, traditional practices worried.

Janis Smith, Cleveleys Health Centre practice manager, said up to 10 local surgeries could be affected by the proposals.

"Between them there are 18,000 patients that need to be found which will just destabilise existing practices - which could mean we end up having to close," said Ms Smith.

"The patients don't want this and that is what they are showing us by attending this meeting," she added.

Ms Smith told the BBC there had been a lack of consultation with existing surgeries about the health centres, which doctors fear will be run by private companies.

She added about 200 patients were expected to attend the meeting, with further gatherings planned throughout the week.

'Back-door privatisation'

"They don't want to lose their family doctor, they like their family doctor," she said.

"It's like privatisation through the back door without anyone realising it."

The meeting, which starts at 1900 BST, was switched from the surgery itself because of the high level of interest.

A second meeting will be held at the Thornton Practice on Wednesday evening, and the West View Health Centre on Friday.

No-one from North Lancashire Primary Care Trust was available for comment.

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