GPs attack 'supermarket' surgeries plan

Doctors were today attacking government plans to replace family surgeries with supermarket-style practices.

GPs say the proposals could destroy their relationship with patients and make community healthcare impersonal. The scheme could also mean far longer journeys for patients seeking help.

It comes as part of the Health Department's drive to cut back NHS spending and promote efficiency. Ministers say the " supersurgeries" will mean far quicker appointments - in some cases within hours of a request.

But doctor's leaders today warned the move may jeopardise patient care.

Dr John Canning, chairman of the British Medical Association's family doctors' conference, said smaller surgeries were still "incredibly popular" with patients.

He added that super-surgeries could force patients who still want to keep a personal relationship with their doctor "to seek non-NHS care".

Dr Canning warned the move could see GP surgeries becoming as rare as local NHS dentists, which have now been largely replaced by private practices.