London unveils first polyclinic

London's first polyclinic is set to be built by University College London Hospital and Camden primary care trust.

It will open in September 2008 next to UCHL's accident and emergency department.

The centre will be the first of its kind following junior health secretary Lord Darzi's report Healthcare for London: a framework for action (carried out before he became a minister), which proposed polyclinics providing GP and community services along with limited urgent care, minor procedures and diagnostics.

It said they should be co-located with hospitals or be free standing in the local community.

Chief executive of NHS London, Ruth Carnall, said the move was a good example of organisations working together to improve healthcare for their population.

She said: 'We are really pleased the local NHS organisations, Camden PCT and UCLH, have come together to develop this proposal. It aims to meet the needs of the local population and is also in line with Lord Darzi's report.'

Lord Darzi said existing buildings came close to the vision of a polyclinic.

For example Heart of Hounslow centre for health, in west London, provides GP services, dentistry, outpatient care, podiatry, physiotherapy, social care outreach, mental health services for children and a gym to help with rehabilitation.

It does not, however, provide urgent care and has only a limited range of diagnostic facilities.