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MP hits out over plans for a super-surgery
MP Maria Miller has hit out in Parliament at the Government's plan for a super-surgery in Basingstoke.
Under reforms promoted by health ministers, each NHS primary health care trust is to have one super-surgery.
But Basingstoke MP Mrs Miller fears the new "polyclinic" will be developed at the expense of local surgeries.
In a House of Commons debate, she told health secretary Alan Johnson: "The proposal put forward by the Hampshire PCT to locate a polyclinic - or whatever he wants to call it - in my constituency talks about building "capacity to absorb a growing population".
"That sounds to me as if the polyclinic is replacing the need to build new surgeries as new houses are built."
Mr Johnson replied: "It sounds to me that building capacity to absorb a growing population is absolutely right because this new service will deal with greater capacity - so well done Hampshire."
But speaking afterwards, Mrs Miller said: "The priority in Basingstoke should be to make sure the doctors' surgeries are serving families and the elderly to the highest level."
The super-surgery will be in central Basingstoke and will be open seven days a week, for 12 hours, with a host of services available such as dentistry and minor surgery.
A group of local doctors, calling themselves the North Hampshire Alliance, have lodged their own bid to run the giant surgery because they feel they can do a better job than a private company.
11:02am Friday 27th June 2008
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CommentPosted by: NB1981, basingstoke on 11:57am Fri 27 Jun 08
I think that the community would be better served by a drop in centre to compliment the existing surgeries by dealing with people with minor ailments,as trying to book a short notice appointment if you work is nigh on impossible in Basingstoke
I think that the community would be better served by a drop in centre to compliment the existing surgeries by dealing with people with minor ailments,as trying to book a short notice appointment if you work is nigh on impossible in Basingstoke
Posted by: Picket Dewfury, Basingstoke on 1:08pm Fri 27 Jun 08
Perhaps she would like to share her 'open all hours' BUPA membership with the rest of us then?
Try fitting in a doctors appointment when they will only see you during working hours - especially with a 40 minute lunch break and a surgery running 30 minutes late.
Perhaps she would like to share her 'open all hours' BUPA membership with the rest of us then?
Try fitting in a doctors appointment when they will only see you during working hours - especially with a 40 minute lunch break and a surgery running 30 minutes late.
Posted by: Carlos Tilbury, overton on 6:10pm Fri 27 Jun 08
So let me get this right, Basingstoke will have a brand new bigger surgery, with more services, longer opening hours and Ms Miller wants it stopped?
Unless I'm missing something it seems a good idea to me.
So let me get this right, Basingstoke will have a brand new bigger surgery, with more services, longer opening hours and Ms Miller wants it stopped?
Unless I'm missing something it seems a good idea to me.
Posted by: BonzoDog, local on 6:43pm Fri 27 Jun 08
It might be a good idea Carlos if it didn't mean the closure of other services elsewhere.
I don't think even you're naive enough to believe we're going to get something for nothing. This government is giving nothing away, but somehow saving money from this committee-based scheme.
The principal if worthy(ish), but I'd first like to know how we're going to pay for it?
It might be a good idea Carlos if it didn't mean the closure of other services elsewhere.
I don't think even you're naive enough to believe we're going to get something for nothing. This government is giving nothing away, but somehow saving money from this committee-based scheme.
The principal if worthy(ish), but I'd first like to know how we're going to pay for it?
Posted by: Picket Dewfury, Basingstoke on 8:44am Sat 28 Jun 08
We pay for it by allowing practitioners to bid for it. Where they get their money from is up to them. Will it mean cuts? Who can say? Most practices are successful businesses and make money so probably not. However, when other super surgeries open with better hours and 'customer care', it may well force some practices to pull up their socks or shut up shop. Personally, I don't care.
I would like to see an end to having to fight with my practice for an appointment in the right place at the right time - or at all for that matter. Oakley & Overton partnership sure did not think to hard about patients in Oakley when it was looking at making 'business' decisions in the past. I won't loose any sleep if they become victim to somewhere that is open and accessible when you need it - after all, you don't plan to be ill and book it up.
We pay for it by allowing practitioners to bid for it. Where they get their money from is up to them. Will it mean cuts? Who can say? Most practices are successful businesses and make money so probably not. However, when other super surgeries open with better hours and 'customer care', it may well force some practices to pull up their socks or shut up shop. Personally, I don't care.
I would like to see an end to having to fight with my practice for an appointment in the right place at the right time - or at all for that matter. Oakley & Overton partnership sure did not think to hard about patients in Oakley when it was looking at making 'business' decisions in the past. I won't loose any sleep if they become victim to somewhere that is open and accessible when you need it - after all, you don't plan to be ill and book it up.
Posted by: BonzoDog, local on 12:42pm Sat 28 Jun 08
We have to look at the availability and convenience of medical centres no matter how big and 'flash' they appear.
Let's face it, when people are sick they don't want an hours bus ride(s) to get to the doctors.
It's OK when you're young and fit, but it's the elderly that will suffer most from relocation.
We have to look at the availability and convenience of medical centres no matter how big and 'flash' they appear.
Let's face it, when people are sick they don't want an hours bus ride(s) to get to the doctors.
It's OK when you're young and fit, but it's the elderly that will suffer most from relocation.
Posted by: chell2, Basingstoke on 11:35am Mon 30 Jun 08
Its a shame Ms Miller has not understood exactly what the news of an open all hours medical centre can do for the residents of Basingstoke. Instead she is using it against the Government for policial point scoring. However, should she care to take note. I have never seen a doctor more than once, I have struggled for years to see one during hours as I work and travel. With regard to costs. Private companies have found they can provide the services much cheaper than the NHS and at a higher standard. GPs wont lose jobs they are just getting a kick up the backside. NHS has lost its way, its old and in a rut. We need new fresh ideas to get it going again. it will mean changes and we all hate that. But hey we will all be much happier being able to get medical help straight away and not sit for hours at the decrepid hants doc waiting for someone to see us for hours and hours and hours............Ms Miller you are out of touch. The Lots of GPS around the country would like to try to run one of these centres themselves what does that tell you????
Its a shame Ms Miller has not understood exactly what the news of an open all hours medical centre can do for the residents of Basingstoke. Instead she is using it against the Government for policial point scoring. However, should she care to take note. I have never seen a doctor more than once, I have struggled for years to see one during hours as I work and travel. With regard to costs. Private companies have found they can provide the services much cheaper than the NHS and at a higher standard. GPs wont lose jobs they are just getting a kick up the backside. NHS has lost its way, its old and in a rut. We need new fresh ideas to get it going again. it will mean changes and we all hate that. But hey we will all be much happier being able to get medical help straight away and not sit for hours at the decrepid hants doc waiting for someone to see us for hours and hours and hours............Ms Miller you are out of touch. The Lots of GPS around the country would like to try to run one of these centres themselves what does that tell you????
Posted by: Picket Dewfury, Basingstoke on 7:32am Tue 1 Jul 08
I don't think it would be political point scoring. The record of the NHS under labour speaks for itself with no need for Miller to take a pop at it.
I don't think it would be political point scoring. The record of the NHS under labour speaks for itself with no need for Miller to take a pop at it.
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