GP's 'worried well' concern
A Shropshire GP today called for the immediate closure of walk-in medical centres branding them a "scandalous waste" of taxpayers' money.A Shropshire GP today called for the immediate closure of walk-in medical centres branding them a "scandalous waste" of taxpayers' money. Dr Paul Spencer claimed that they were mostly dealing with the "worried well" and cited a recent case seen at the Malling Health clinic in Telford town centre as proof that his "worst fears" about such facilities had come true. The clinic, run by a private company for the borough's primary care trust, had seen a boy who had been to McDonald's and had smeared some tomato sauce on his face. Read more in the Shropshire Star
A Shropshire GP today called for the immediate closure of walk-in medical centres branding them a "scandalous waste" of taxpayers' money.
Dr Paul Spencer claimed that they were mostly dealing with the "worried well" and cited a recent case seen at the Malling Health clinic in Telford town centre as proof that his "worst fears" about such facilities had come true.
The clinic, run by a private company for the borough's primary care trust, had seen a boy who had been to McDonald's and had smeared some tomato sauce on his face.
According to notes, he "immediately developed a red area on both cheeks/chin".
An examination show he had a "reddened/raised" area to both cheeks but was happy and smiling.
Dr Spencer, of Dawley Medical Practice, said: ""I would ask you to consider this as proof, if proof were needed, that these walk-in centres are a scandalous waste of taxpayers' money.
"I wouldn't mind if patients were paying for this service provided by a private company at my expense, but PCTs across the country are paying millions to duplicate a service already provided by the patient's own GP.
"Goodness knows we already see enough of the 'worried well' but to set up a service for these patients at a time when cancer patients cannot get the latest drugs is indefensible."
The health centre was opened in the summer, along with another at the Princess Royal Hospital.
A similar centre, also run by Malling Health, has been opened by Shropshire County Primary Care Trust in Shrewsbury.
The centres are open seven days a week, from 8am to 8pm.
Dr Spencer and colleagues at Dawley have been long-time critics of the centres and other Shropshire GPs have also voiced concerns.
Dr Spencer said the growing Dawley practice, which serves almost 11,000 patients, needed an additional doctor but funding was not available.
A spokesman for NHS Telford and Wrekin said: "Since their openings in August, people have been making excellent use of both centres. As with all local health provision commissioned by NHS Telford and Wrekin, we will continue to monitor the effectiveness of the service provided."
By Health Correspondent Dave Morris
