Optical 'polyclinics' at the discretion of PCTs

It will be up to PCTs to decide if the new so-called 'polyclinics' will include optical services, the Department of Health (DoH) has said.

Last week, health minister Lord Darzi, who has been tasked by Prime Minister Gordon Brown to consult on the shake-up of the healthcare sector, said the traditional doctor's surgery under his proposals could soon be replaced by a batch of polyclinics.

The new centres will house GPs alongside other health professionals, such as specialist consultants and district nurses. If a London trial is successful they could become commonplace across the country, said Lord Darzi.