I am pleased to have the opportunity to present a petition on the subject of the future of primary care, and I am indebted to my constituent, Mr. Ted Damamme, who raised the petition with fellow residents of the historic Hugh Sexey's hospital in Bruton. The petition is signed by the master of Hugh Sexey's hospital, the Right Reverend Neville Chamberlain, and the other residents. It expresses concern that I share, despite the reassurances of Ministers, that a policy of introducing polyclinics, particularly in rural areas, will do irreparable damage to general practice, which is so much appreciated.

The petition states:

The Humble Petition of the Rt. Rev. Neville Chamberlain (Master of Hugh Sexey's Hospital) and others of like disposition,

Sheweth,

That Her Majesty's Government's plans for the re-organisation of primary care in the country, with particular reference to rural areas such as theirs, will dramatically effect the way in which General Practice is currently organised and funded, and will severely harm the services they currently receive from their excellent local surgery.

As residents of Hugh Sexey's Hospital, a remarkable retirement home, where the average age of the residents is 80+, and where every effort is made to remain self-sufficient and independent (constantly advocated as a desirable object), the loss of their local surgery would be catastrophic.

Wherefore your Petitioners pray that your Honourable House shall call on Her Majesty's Government to reconsider its plans, and treat each differing area, urban and rural, to detailed consideration, with particular reference to the needs of vulnerable groups in each community, and not allow public money to be taken away from local NHS surgeries and given to private companies.

And your Petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray, &c.

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