Polyclinics are needed in London because 'in 10 years' time hospitals will not be able to cope', according to health minister Lord Ara Darzi.

What does a part time, Private Consultant, know about Primary Care ??. Probably Nothing !!

Lord Darzi hasn't explained why closing GP surgeries and requiring everyone to pitch up at a polyclinic serving 50,000 people to see a succession of different salaried doctors is going to help a growing population. If, as seems likely, we have an economic crisis there won't be anything to attract all these new arrivals to London anyway.

Lord Darzi is right, not only hospitals would not be able to cope but also Gps would not be able to cope,Health service as a whole is overworked and unmanageable now. The system of delivery of the healthcare and its funding to the nation has to be addressed urgently.

This 'latest daft idea from the bright young things at the Department of Health' is likely to rip the heart out of very many local neighbourhoods. Community dental care and pharmacy services may not be perfect now, but they will disappear under Darzi. What price 'sustainable communities' then?

 The reason Lord Darzi understands where GPs are coming from is, as he quotes " Some of my best friends are GPs".

I am sure he meant- "were". I seriously dont think he has any friends in GPs and for that matter in the DoH. He is just an implement/ tool to hurt GPs. Pity he does'nt know that. If he does and still walks the path, the word 'Delusions of Grandeur' springs to mind.

I agree, and moreover I worry that, in years to come, Lord Darzi will become synonomous with the demise of NHS Primary Care in the same way that Lord Beeching is remembered for dismantling the rail network. When it's gone, it's gone and we owe those who founded the NHS a greater duty of care than this Gov't affords.