ISLAND doctors could scupper Government plans to shut down a health centre for the poor.Government claims the Medical Clinic at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital is undermining dignity and should be treated at private surgeries instead, giving them the right to see "the physician of their choice".

But the move has been condemned as unnecessary and inefficient by critics who also claim that patient healthcare will suffer if farmed out to the private sector.

And the planned changeover could be dealt another blow if doctors refuse to take on any new patients — something that, as private businesses, they have a right to do.

So far only six of more than 50 private practitioners have agreed with Government to take on the clinic's patients once it shuts down in the summer. Currently, patients can see one of three doctors at the clinic, which handles more than 2,000 appointments a year.

While it is not known if any other surgeries will agree to take on additional clients, practitioners who spoke to the Mid-Ocean News said they were already stretched to capacity.

Although none of them wished to be named, they expressed concern that they could be ordered to take on more clients and questioned the reasoning behind the closure.

"I know there are many practices that already have more than enough patients and have closed their books to any new ones," one medical professional said.

"But we can't be forced to take on more patients — it's a physician's right.

"It all seems a bit bizarre — the patients seem very happy with the way things are so what's the rationale behind it?"

Another medic said that the hospital's Emergency Room could be flooded with clinic patients unable to to get a regular appointment at a private practice.

"That is where everyone goes when they have nowhere else to go, emergency or otherwise," the physician said.

General practitioners will be holding a meeting today to discuss the closure — and are planning to meet with Health Minister Phil Perinchief next week to find out more details about the proposal.

They say that, so far, they had been kept completely in the dark over Government's plans.

Last week Premier Ewart Brown, asked by about 50 campaigners fighting to keep the facility open why patients had not been consulted, replied: "We consulted the people through their doctors."

Staff at the facility have also revealed that, when first told about the impending closure, they were ordered not to speak to patients about it. One doctor said it was impossible to either condemn or support the new plan, simply because doctors knew nothing about Government's intentions.

"Whatever is coming down may be reasonable or unreasonable - but at this time we just don't know what the plan is," they said.

This week the Mid-Ocean News e-mailed a number of questions concerning the closure to the Premier's press secretary, Scott Simmons. We asked if Government would reconsider its position if the proposal failed to get the backing of private doctors. We also asked for details of the six physicians who have agreed to take on clinic patients and if any more surgeries have since signed up to the scheme.

Mr. Simmons replied: "I have taken note of your questions and it is my understanding that the transition plan for the closure of the clinic will be made public on or before April 15."

[obox]'What are real reasons for clinic's closure?': See Insight on Page 5

Doctors could scupper Government plans