GP shuns new health centre

A GP in Leicester is refusing to move into a new 'state-of-the-art' health centre because he believes it is poor value for money.

Dr Vijoy Singh, chair of Leicester LMC, said the rent and rates at the PFI-funded St Peter's Health Centre will cost £74,500 compared with just £16,500 in his current surgery.

Dr Singh said: 'Ethically I think this money would be better spent elsewhere. It doesn't feel right in a cash-starved NHS.'

The new building also houses two other GP practices, mental health services, family planning, a base for community services, a pharmacy and a cafe.

Dr Singh said: 'I asked my patients and they said if I moved it would lose the personal touch. Only 10 per cent said they were happy to move.'