Out of hospital care: how will polyclinics work?

The Out of hospital care: how will polyclinics work? event was held in London on Wednesday 20 February, to discuss the Government's vision for out of hospital care.

Summary of the event

The proposed polyclinic model causes emotions to run high in the media because people are rightly protective of their local services. The conference had a more balanced debate and looked at what exists already that fits this model through case studies from Sunderland, Belfast and Berlin. A polyclinic does not have to be a stand alone building. The event went on to look at how these new health centres could be co-located at an existing acute trust or delivered through a federated model linking together individual practices.

There was optimism about this model of care with agreement that one size does not fit all. What might be appropriate for an urban setting will need a different approach in rural areas. The NHS Confederation will explore these issues more fully in a briefing which will be published shortly.

What did you think?

Thank you to everyone who attended and helped make the event a huge success.

The feedback delegates give helps us to shape future events. Share your thoughts and comments on the Out of hospital care: how will polyclinics work event by filling out an evaluation form online.

Presentations now available

The presentations from the conference are now available to download:

Well Being and Treatment Centres - the one stop shop
Denise Stockman Director Capital Planning and Redevelopment, Belfast Health and Social Services Trust

What we have now in the UK that fits the model and works?
Dr Keith Freeman FRCP, Consultant Dermatologist, Sunderland Teaching Primary Care Trust & County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust

What will the polyclinic of the future look like? Co-located model University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Camden PCT
Dr Mark Atkinson Director of Service Improvement, Camden PCT and Dr Paul Glynne Clinical Director for Emergency Services, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Other models being explored?
Dr Sandy Bradbrook Chief Executive, Heart of Birmingham Teaching PCT

What works in other countries?
Dr Stephen Kewenig Medical Director, Outpatient Health Centre, Polikum, Berlin

Virtual Polyclinics
Prof Stephen Field Chairman, Royal College of GP's