Virgin being wooed to run 'supersurgery' in Camden

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He is already planning a network of health centres across Britain to add to his empire of airlines, trains and mobile phones.

But he has also been asked to take part in London health reforms that will create 150 "supersurgeries" in place of traditional GP surgeries.

Sir Richard, whose 26-year-old daughter Holly recently qualified as a doctor, said last weekend "aspects of the NHS could be better run, but we've got to be sure we're going to get a return on the money".

Documents reveal Virgin Healthcare has been lined up to run at least one "supersurgery" in Camden. Its bosses met Camden primary care trust chiefs in January to discuss a new polyclinic based at University College Hospital London.

Campaigners reacted with fury, claiming private firms are set to make millions. Wendy Savage of Keep Our NHS Public said: "All our worst fears that polyclinics were going to be built or run by the private sector are coming true... Private companies are not suitable to run healthcare - it is not like selling baked beans. Just look at how Virgin is running the railways."

Camden local medical committee said: "We are told that nothing is going to happen without a public consultation, yet we find out Virgin was approached by the PCT even before the consultation into Lord Darzi's proposed reforms [which included polyclinics] had been completed." Camden has already come under fire for allowing private firm United Health to take over three surgeries in April. Four more are expected to close to make way for the new polyclinic.

Virgin Healthcare board minutes described the UCLH polyclinic, which would take on many cases currently sent to A&E, as "an opportunity for us". But it concluded: "Running this scale of emergency service carries serious risk."

A spokeswoman for Virgin Healthcare said it was not currently proceeding with polyclinics.

Camden PCT said it was "in dialogue" with stakeholders and there would be a consultation on the plans.