Why won’t PCT reveal the cost of our local Darzi centre?
I was interested in your series of articles on the costs of Lord Darzi's GP-led health centres ‘Darzi centre funding dwarfs GMS cash').
In Shropshire we have been trying to point out the inappropriateness of this model of care, both through the medical line and politically.
As well as being a GP I am the local Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate.
It is interesting that I was initially able to get all-party support at Shropshire County PCT's health overview and scrutiny committee for a motion condemning these clinics but that the administration later supported them.
We have asked Shropshire County PCT what its Darzi centre in Shrewsbury was going to cost and it refused to tell us.
I note from your story that many PCTs refused to tell you what they were paying. Would you be able to confirm that Shropshire County PCT was one of the ones that refused to give you information?
From Dr Charles West, GP in Shrewsbury and Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for Shrewsbury and Atcham
Editor's response: Shropshire County PCT said it could not provide details of funding because it didn't know how much activity its centre would see. It also apparently felt revealing its figures could compromise tendering processes in other PCTs.
