NHS Confederation calls for calm in polyclinic debate
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Thursday, 17, Apr 2008 12:00
A report released by the NHS Confederation today calls for common sense in the debate over polyclinics and a focus on what works both in the UK and abroad.
The Confederation’s report ‘Ideas form Darzi: polyclinics’ considers why the suggestions to implement the polyclinic model – bringing GPs, diagnostic and other services together - have caused so much controversy. It also looks at the successes of forerunners to polyclinics already operating in the UK and abroad.
Polyclinics have been raised more than 50 times in parliament since they were first suggested. Many of the potential benefits of the new model of care have not been fully considered due to misconceptions and concerns surrounding polyclinics. For example, polyclinics are not an initiative intended to save money. While well organised systems, reductions in duplicate tests may improve cost effectiveness, the main reason for adopting the model is to improve the quality of patient care and experience.
There is also no need for the model to disrupt continuity of care or undermine general practice, as patients could make an appointment with a specific doctor, while being given an extended choice of GPs and appointment times.
The report also recognises that polyclinics would not be appropriate in every area, and highlights the importance of considering local circumstances and finding out what local people want. There should be no imposed national blueprint for how polyclinics should work. There is even no need for new premises to be built in every case, as polyclinics can deliver benefits using a ‘virtual’ model, where health professionals can better share best practice and plan services more efficiently.
Key lessons learned to far include:
¿ Engagement not consultation – local communities and government must be involved from the earliest stages of planning
¿ Standards and systems – systems of care have to be purposively designed and supported by strong clinical governance. Common approaches will provide better continuity in care for patients and professionals.
¿ Information systems – to ensure consistency there should be one patient record and shared information systems
¿ Incentives and payment systems – while there are concerns that reducing the need for patients to attend hospital may provide a financial disincentive for hospitals to collaborate, we should ensure payment systems support models of care that have the best clinical outcomes
¿ Impact on other parts of the system – polyclinics should take into account existing local services and aim to complement not threaten them
¿ Change before moving – new ways of working should be introduced before moving to a new building where possible, to change practice and not just location
¿ Design – well designed buildings will benefit both patients and staff, and should have good access to public transport and parking
Nigel Edwards, director of policy at the NHS Confederation says:
"Polyclinics are based on long term trends of what works best in healthcare, and in fact there are many practices successfully operating under a similar model already. As such we have been genuinely surprised to see the level of concern surrounding these proposals among the health community and patient groups. What we need now is a calm and balanced debate about how to bring out the best in our primary care services.
“The name may pose a problem. Polyclinics may be associated with the previous soviet system of healthcare, however what is proposed here has no real connection to this at all. While it may sound like the polyclinic system will not resemble the service currently provided by family doctors, in reality it should build on what is best in general practice.”
“Of course this is not something that will work in every circumstance, but delivering better organised care focused on the patient is surely a good thing. This is why it is crucial that politicians and health professionals fully engage with the benefits that polyclinics can bring. Knee jerk reactions focussing on possible problems based on pre-existing agendas rather than potential solutions could seriously jeopardise progress for patients."
ENDS
Notes for Editors
1. The NHS Confederation represents more than 95% of the organisations that make up the NHS. Its members include the majority of NHS acute trusts, ambulance trusts, foundation trusts, mental health trusts, primary care trusts, special health authorities and strategic health authorities in England; trusts and local health boards in Wales; and health and social service trusts and boards in Northern Ireland.
2. Contact Niall Smith 020 7074 3304 or 07767 770309, Ruth Kennedy 020 7074 3312 or 07884 47 3086, or Ruby Casey-Knight 020 7074 3306 or 07881 957305. For out of hours media enquiries, please call the Duty Press Officer on 07880 500726.
Niall Smith
Senior Media Relations Officer
DDI: 020 7074 3304
Mobile: 07767 770 309
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