HM Primary Care

Britons are more likely than other nationalities to hold back from challenging their doctor or medical professional because they don’t feel comfortable’ questioning them, according to new research from Bupa.

A new medical centre developed by MedicX the UK investor and developer of healthcare property, has opened in Monkseaton in Whitley Bay. The £2.9m new two storey purpose built primary care centre with integrated pharmacy, is located on land directly adjacent to the existing medical centre in Cauldwell Avenue, Monkseaton. The GP practice of Monkseaton Medical centre has moved to the new 1,080 sq m building which provides eight consulting rooms and three nurse treatment rooms, together with the ability to accommodate a range of visiting clinicians. In a second phase of development, which is expected to take five weeks to complete, the old medical centre will be demolished and converted into parking for 37 cars.

A Care UK operated NHS health centre in Rochdale claims to be the first in the UK to perform cataract surgery in a non-hospital, community-based setting.

Virgin Care announced last month that it is to abandon is joint venture management model of working with GPs through 50/50 partnerships (GP Cos) in favour of providing services directly. Virgin Care said it believes that the move to a single governance structure for the vast majority of its services will ensure more consistency of governance and leadership, and efficient use of management resource.

The Vale of York Clinical Commissioning Group (Vale of York CCG) has selected Isabel Healthcare, the diagnosis and referral decision support systems provider, to help its 200 plus GPs provide the best possible care for its 325,000 patients.

Virgin Care has hit back against a damning documentary criticises its provision of primary care services. A Channel 4 Dispatches programme Getting Rich on the NHS focused on the Kings Heath medical centre taken over by Virgin Care in 2010.

The Grange Medical Practice, developed by MedicX has opened. The new purpose-built primary care centre, with integrated pharmacy is located in the heart of Grangetown, Cardiff. The GP practice of Dr Lush & Partners in Corporation Road has moved from its old premises to the new 11,700 sq ft centre, which was developed by MedicX, a leading UK investor and developer of healthcare property. Tony Coke, primary care property director of MedicX said: It has been a pleasure working with Cardiff and University Vale Health Board and the team from Dr Lush & Partners in making this project a reality. Modern healthcare centres that can be delivered within budget and provide value for money are essential for local communities, and we are confident the users of this new centre will be thrilled with what has been achieved.’

The British Medical Association has discussed the idea of offering patients the chance to opt-out of receiving private care services.

Just one in 100 NHS practices are providing patients with electronic health records, despite evidence showing that patients who take up the service secure better health outcomes.

The British Medical Association is warning that the NHS drive for efficiencies is taking its toll on quality, doctors are becoming disillusioned with the QIPP (quality, innovation, productivity and prevention) programme and the acute sector is feeling the impact. Laurence Buckman, chairman of the BMA’s GPs committee said: Most GPs were willing to get involved with QIPP as they thought it was a potentially good idea. The tale has gone a little sour now as it looks like an engine for rationing only.’