Doctors attack polyclinics plan in shake-up of NHS

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The British Medical Association said it had "severe reservations" about a proposed shake-up of the NHS in the capital.

It said patients would have to travel farther to visit a doctor and raised concerns about changes to accident and emergency.

But the doctors' union admitted that the NHS in London needed to change and that some services should be centralised.

Health bosses are planning a radical overhaul, including the replacement of traditional GP surgeries with 150 "poly-clinics" where groups of doctors offer everything from X-rays to operations.

General hospitals will also make way for specialist centres and three "major trauma" units will specialise in multiple injuries. The 10-year blueprint, drawn up by health minister Lord Darzi, still has to pass a consultation but today the BMA issued its formal response.

It said the plans could "fragment" the health system and said there were already community hospitals that could be used instead of polyclinics. However, it said heart attack patients and trauma victims could benefit if specialist units were created.

The BMA fears doctors will be coerced into new polyclinics and that some patients could suffer if local A&E departments lose night-time emergency surgery.

A spokesman for the NHS in London said the BMA had misunderstood parts of the report and that no one would be forced into a polyclinic.

He added: "We welcome the BMA's contribution to the debate. Their views are largely supported but raise some concerns mainly around implementation."