Kings Fund - Will polyclinics deliver integrated care - 5 Jun 08

• Extract from : http://tinyurl.com/5rrsrz

Government policy is driving a fundamental shift of care from hospitals to more community-based settings. There is a growing expectation that this shift will be supported by the development of a network of new facilities in which primary, community and secondary care services are co-located, often referred to as polyclinics. Will this model improve the quality and accessibility of health care and deliver cost savings? Drawing on published information and original research into facilities similar to the polyclinic model in the United Kingdom and abroad, this report identifies and explores both opportunities and risks in relation to: quality of care, accessibility of services and cost.

---

• Copy of report

---

BMA response to Kings Fund report on polyclinics - 05 Jun 08

• Extract from : http://tinyurl.com/3t99qo

The BMA shares many of the concerns about polyclinics highlighted by the Kings Fund in its report published today (5/6/08).

At the UK’s annual consultants’ conference, held yesterday, consultants overwhelmingly rejected an imposed model of privately-owned polyclinics across England. The motion that was passed read:

That this conference:
(i) rejects an imposed model of privately-owned polyclinics across the English Health
Service as an unproven, crude and expensive structural solution to a fundamentally functional problem
(ii) insists that the roll out of polyclinics should be halted until they have been piloted and appraised in line with the advice from the Secretary of State in other areas.

Speaking at the consultants’ conference Dr Jonathan Fielden, chairman of the BMA’s consultants committee called on the government to “dump the polyclinic plan.” He said: “The centrally enforced polyclinic plan holds no water, has no benefit and no financial gain.

• “Work with the profession and the people. Together we will deliver the changes across the capital and the country our patients need. Breaking down the barriers between primary and secondary care; facilitating better collaboration closer to the patient.”

In a recent BMA survey, six out of ten consultants said polyclinics will not improve the quality of patient care.

---

NHS Confederation - Press release: NHS Confederation comments on King's Fund report on polyclinics- 05 Jun 2008

• Extract from : http://tinyurl.com/49jq64

Nigel Edwards, policy director of the NHS Confederation which represents over 95 per cent of NHS organisations, said:

• "This report provides a useful and balanced review of the risks and opportunities in the polyclinic model. While polyclinics could delver significant benefits for patients it is crucial that a "one size fits all" model is not imposed on a national level.
• "The NHS Confederation highlighted in a recent report Ideas from Darzi: polyclinics that it would be a mistake to assume polyclinics can always save money by moving care out of hospital, but rather we should focus on how they can allow the NHS to work in a more organised and effective way.
• "Polyclinics are not just big new buildings. Centralisation of services would not work in every area, especially rural areas.  Models can be virtual, or use existing estates to bring clinicians together. It is essential that clinicians change ways of working and improve care pathways, not just move buildings.
• "Careful planning will be key to success, and we hope to see a model develop that allows the required local discretion to meet local need, and builds on existing services in consultation with local people.  This is not about closing surgeries, but where appropriate, using a polyclinic approach to improve the access to and quality of care for all."

Back to news index