BMA head wins polyclinic contract

Doctors have voiced their opposition to polyclinics

The UK's doctors' leader is part of a consortium that is to run one of the polyclinics his organisation has campaigned against.

The British Medical Association has vigorously opposed the super-surgeries being set up across England.

But it has now emerged BMA chairman Dr Hamish Meldrum is part of a group of doctors that have been appointed to run a clinic in East Riding in Yorkshire.

He said he was trying to protect patients from private health firms.

Ministers have ordered local health bosses to set up the network of polyclincs - large health centres housing a range of services - but the move has proved controversial.

I have been completely open with the BMA about this, but I am aware people will try to make political capital out of it Dr Hamish Meldrum

The BMA has campaigned against polyclinics, saying they would threaten traditional GP surgeries.

Dr Meldrum himself spoke out against them at the union's annual meeting in July in Edinburgh, accusing ministers of a "ham-fisted" approach.

But it has now emerged that he is one of the doctors that has formed the Bridlington Healthcare NHS Collaborative to run the area's polyclinic, which is opening later this year.

Health minister Ben Bradshaw said the news represented confirmation that the government was right to pursue the policy.

"I am delighted by this vote of confidence from the head of the BMA in the new GP-led health centre programme."

Commercial

But Dr Meldrum, who spends one-day a week in his practice in Bridlington, said he was still against the way the clinics have been introduced.

He said the group of doctors was set up after a commercial company showed interest in running the clinic, which will be opened from 8am to 8pm seven days a week.

"I was approached about my practice being involved and I took a pragmatic approach to protect patients.

"We opposed the way the government imposed these clinics, but they are now being introduced so we have had to make the best of a bad job."

He said he would not be working at the polyclinic or benefit financially from it.

And he added: "I have been completely open with the BMA about this, but I am aware people will try to make political capital out of it."