Super GP surgeries to be developed within grounds of top hospitals

Medical experts say the development of super-surgeries within hospital grounds, or practices being taken over by the elite NHS trusts is a very real possibility.

Apparently several foundation trusts are already contemplating the move in the belief it will improve the link from GP to consultant, but local health bosses and doctors are sceptical.

British Medical Association member, Dr Peter Holden, who is on the GP's committee, said family doctors were not afraid of competition, but warned they would not be operating on a "level playing field" in these circumstances, as foundation hospitals are able to raise money and have much more freedom than the rest.

Professor Chris Ham, professor of health policy at the University of Birmingham says if this is going to happen, as things stand, it would be unfair.

He says there are a number of options open to foundation trusts, from running surgeries to working in collaboration, and though it could improve the service the patient receives, it must also be remembered years of culture and history must be overcome.

Dr Michael Dixon, chairman of the NHS Alliance, which represents primary care trusts, thinks it would prove controversial and he questions whether it is the right move.

Foundation trusts are top-performing NHS hospitals which have been given freedom from government control and have the ability to raise their own funds.

At present only 32 trusts have been given foundation status so far, although the government envisages all trusts being given the special freedoms.

Although no trust has yet set out any concrete proposals, several are considering the move, in the belief it could lead to quicker diagnosis and referral.

Denise Potter, who has been employed by five foundation trusts in South Yorkshire and Derbyshire to explore how they could work together, said they would be looking at expanding into primary care.

It appears it would be in their interests to run GP out-of-hours services, as the quality of service has a knock on effect to accident and emergency departments.

The possibility of trusts running GP practices might also arise.

A Department of Health spokesman did not rule out the possibility, but said the trusts would have to wait until a foundation trust review and white paper on primary care was published later this year before any such move could take place.