HEALTHCARE bosses in Petersfield have taken a stand against Government proposals to reform medical practices and have urged patients to help them "save our surgeries". Petitions are available at reception in Swan Surgery and The Grange in Petersfield and Hillbrow Surgery in Liss as part of a nationwide protest at plans which they feel put at risk the "high quality patient care that your local surgery provides". Plans for new, large health centres would reduce funding for extra healthcare and could threaten the personal relationship between GPs and patients. Andrew Holden, a GP and partner at the Swan Surgery, in Swan Street, Petersfield, feared such changes could lead to the commercialisation of local surgeries, in the same way that dentists have changed, with NHS reforms leading to fears of sub- standard care, and many practices going private. The protest has been organised by doctor's trade union the British Medical Association (BMA) in the week of the NHS' 60th birthday. The petition comes in the form of a birthday card to the NHS. While the reforms could be of benefit elsewhere, Dr Holden said the standard of primary healthcare in Hampshire was among the best in the country, with around 70 per cent of surgeries meeting performance-related targets set by the government and gaining maximum points. "We are doing the job locally anyway," he said. "Primary healthcare in this country is the most cost effective and most efficient in the world. International surveys shows it again and again. "In America at the moment Hillary Clinton is trying to introduce health for all, but they cannot do it because they cannot afford it. Our system has worked so well." Dr Holden said the people who visit GPs most – elderly people and children – want to visit surgeries in office hours, and see the same doctor, but feared the personal touch could be lost if the new proposals became reality. "We know patients value that," he said. "And I get so much job satisfaction in the fact that I know my patients so well. The plans mean patients may not have access to the personal touch." Like most NHS practices, Swan Surgery is run independently by GPs on behalf of their patients, but the new proposals mean commercial companies could be offered short-term contracts, leading to a higher turnover of doctors who may not know individual patients' long-term health needs. The BMA is concerned that many local surgeries could be lost, and believe NHS funds would be better spent on expanding the high-quality services at local GP surgeries. They said the unwanted polyclinics (which are being proposed) would be a waste of money, and they wanted to use the petition to urge the Government to halts its plans to encourage commercial companies to run GP surgeries. Dr Holden, who sits on the local committee for the BMA, said: "We wanted to do this on the 60th anniversary of the NHS and get people to sign a petition to say to Gordon Brown that we do not want want to lose our surgeries." He did, however, defend some of the Government's NHS polices, adding "It is has dramatically improved services under this Labour government – for instance, waiting lists have improved. "The problem in the long term is that it will end up like dentists. We value the service we have got now and want to offer patients the best possible care locally. We are trying to set up as many services as possible locally so people do not have to travel to Portsmouth. Polyclinics could mean patients going to Havant to see a GP and I do not think people would want to do that. "Our concern is that could happen if you commercialise a local GP. We are protected from the cost of medicines as they are free on the NHS. If the NHS was financially driven, like the American system, it would be in my interests to do more tests, as I would get more money for doing them, but is it really going to help someone to get numerous scans done if one will do." Swan Surgery has recently been boosted by a £1m extension. Splitting the cost of the development with Boots the Chemist, the work has seen major refurbishment of the surgery and the addition of a new midnight pharmacy, making the facility a 'one- stop shop' for patients. The extension includes a revamped waiting room and reception area, online check-in system, and two new treatment rooms, one of which is furnished to minor operative standards for minor procedures. The new-look building will have an informal open morning tomorrow (Saturday), from 10am to noon. Dr Holden said: "Most people come in and see the reception and their doctor's room, and don't see other parts of the surgery. This will give them the chance to see what else actually happens." The surgery is also looking to expand its car park. A patient participation group has been set up with a view to improving service at the practice further. It can be contacted on 01730 264011.