Polyclinic still set to threaten local GP services.

11.18.38am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 8th Apr 2009

Sarah continues to work to help improve healthcare in Herefordshire.

Local Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate Sarah Carr is questioning the costs of the new Walk-in Health Centre or 'Polyclinic' planned for Hereford. Sarah has repeatedly warned of the impact of the new controversial health centre on the stability of existing doctors' surgeries in Hereford city and that the new centre would be a waste of tax-payers money.

Sarah said,

"I had hoped that Herefordshire Primary Care Trust, who are responsible for commissioning health services in Herefordshire, were going to listen to local GPs and many health professionals by standing up to central government and saying no to an imposition of a 'polyclinic' in Hereford. But they did not and they have appointed an independent company to set up the service from this summer.

"At a time when budgets are tight and when authorities should not waste a penny of tax-payers money, I am increasingly concerned about the cost of the whole project. I am writing today to Herefordshire NHS chief, Chris Bull, who is also Chief Executive of Herefordshire Council, to ask for a breakdown of cost for the new centre including salaries for the operational staff.

"I am very concerned that they will be permitting a parallel health service to run in Herefordshire at a huge waste of tax-payers money and risking the future of some of our local GP surgeries."