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Polyclinics

Volume 473: debated on Wednesday 12 March 2008

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many pilot polyclinics have been established; and on how many he has received reports of their effectiveness. (193590)

This information is not collected centrally. It is for primary care trusts to commission and determine the clinical design of national health service services based on local health needs.

The term polyclinic can be used to define a range of possible health service models characterised by the co-location and integration of different services, including those traditionally provided in a hospital out-patient setting and diagnostic services. The evidence available from these types of service models is that they can prevent out-patient appointments and reduce hospital admissions. However, their effectiveness will depend on a range of local factors, including the local design of the services in question.