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Candidate slams Hereford health centre plan

10:10am Saturday 22nd November 2008

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Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate Sarah Carr has expressed concerns over a GP-led Health Centre, or polyclinic, in Hereford.

Sarah Carr is worried for the future of doctors' surgeries in Herefordshire.

Ms Carr said: "I have met many GPs and healthcare professionals who have told me how plans for a polyclinic could destablise the financial viability of local doctors' practices in Hereford city.

"Polyclinics are not appropriate for areas such as Herefordshire where we already have excellent GP surgeries meeting the needs of local people.

"It is very important especially for older people to have trusted long-term relationships with their GPs. Polyclinics remove this trusted relationship.

"I will be attending the Board Meeting of Herefordshire Primary Trust on Thursday to impress upon the Board that they must prioritise the needs of local people in making the decision as to who will provide the new healthcare centre."

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Your Say Your Herefordshire

G Banks, Herefordshire says...
1:02pm Sat 22 Nov 08

How some people hate change - if when it is for the better for most people. I have read what a few GPs have had to say about the new centre but if they offered people the opportunity to book appointments at the weekend or at night then ordinary working people would be better served. The GPs are paid a hell of a lot of money to provide a service that isn't very customer friendly. At least the new centre will be open when people need to see a doctor, and if GPs will not offer a similar service they should not resort to scare mongering and implying that old people are going to lose their doctors. It is totally reprehensible and Sarah Carr seems to have miscalculated in supporting the interests of a few GPs over the needs of the general public.

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aremach, Hereford says...
8:45pm Mon 24 Nov 08

Actually, the evidence is that when clinics open 'out of hours' these spaces are often taken by retired people: busy working people don't want to start the day or spend an evening at the doctors. Most working people like myself simply book some time off work to see the doctor. What's the problem? The 24/7 culture is doing immense damage to our society and our health. I think Sarah Carr might be right in thinking that polyclinics are an idea for urban areas that is not suitable for rural Herefordshire.

And don't patronise people by saying 'they're against change'. This is a silly argument because it means that all change has to be good whatever it is! Some change is good, some is not so good.

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Sue Jones, Hereford says...
8:43pm Wed 26 Nov 08

But Hereford desperately needs to change. I want a new clinic that will see me when I have got spare time, when I am not working. Why should I have to book time off work? What right has Sarah Carr got to say I should be denied healthcare. She is not even elected.

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digitaldave, golden valley says...
9:46pm Thu 27 Nov 08

as much as it pains me to say this, sue might actually have a point.

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Sue Jones, Hereford says...
1:38pm Sat 29 Nov 08

Thank you digital (if I may call you that), I think there might actually be a point to you too. :)

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