July marks the 60th anniversary of the National Health Service and city MP Christine Russell is giving her full backing to Western Cheshire Primary Care Trust proposals for a large-scale upgrade of clinics and surgeries.

But Stephen O'Brien, MP for Eddisbury in Cheshire and the Shadow Health Minister, has hit out at the idea of what he describes as "impersonal polyclinics".

The PCT says many clinics and surgeries are not big enough or would badly need upgrading to house the increased range of services the organisation wants to provide.

"That is why we want to build at least one new health centre in every part of Western Cheshire," said PCT chief executive, Helen Bellairs.

The PCT wants to build the new health centres in:

- Blacon – serving people living in Blacon Hall and Blacon Lodge wards. It would be a "GP-led" health centre open between 8am and 8pm, Monday-Friday, with 'walk-in' services provided from 8am-8pm on Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays.
Many people living in Blacon are registered with GP practices across the city and have to travel long distances

- The Northgate area of Chester – replacing premises housing Upper Northgate Street, Northgate Village Surgery and St Martins Clinic.

- The Whitby practice in Ellesmere Port, to form part of a process of improving facilities in Ellesmere Port Hospital; and

- Frodsham – serving people living in Frodsham, Helsby and Elton and replacing premises housing the Rock Practice, the Knoll Practice and the Rock Clinic. The PCT has already started to ask local people what they would like to see in the centre.

The health centres would provide family doctor and other community services but could also include social care, voluntary organisations, a pharmacy, dental practice and other services.

Each centre would act as a hub, supporting other GP practices and clinics which will remain in other localities.

GPs are working closely with the PCT to develop the proposals.

"However, before anything can happen, the Primary Care Trust must share its proposals with patients and carers so they can express their views," said Mrs Bellairs.

"Last but not least, whilst some GP practices may be relocated, the Primary Care Trust has no plans to reduce the number of GPs or GP practices in Western Cheshire."

Longer term, there are also plans for a walk-in centre at the Countess of Chester Hospital.

Mrs Russell, who does not like the description 'polyclinics', says the changes are long overdue and she particularly welcomes the 'walk-in' element of the plans, which she says will benefit all Chester patients and will help to reduce pressure on Accident and Emergency facilities at the Countess. The nearest 'walk-in' centre is 18 miles away.

The British Medical Association has criticised the proposals and, according to Mr O'Brien, an analysis of the polyclinics proposal across England has revealed it could lead to a trebling of the distance people have to travel to be able to see their GP.

Mrs Russell has described as "absolute rubbish" her political opponent's claim that 1,700 family doctor surgeries are possibly at risk of being closed down across England.

Mr O'Brien said: "It is outrageous that the Government is planning to cut GP services, which will potentially lead to people living in our area and Cheshire, having to travel further to see their doctor when they are ill.

"These polyclinics will be more impersonal and worse still could threaten the continuity of care for patients who would normally deal solely with their family doctor."

- If you would like to read the PCT's strategy that sets out why it has drawn up these proposals visit its website www.wcheshirepct.nhs.uk and look under "Publications". The strategy can be found there under "Strategic Plans" and it is called "Transforming the Care Environment."

For details call 01244 650368 or e-mail the PCT directly at pals@wcheshirepct.nhs.uk