It gives me great pleasure to present a petition signed by more than 3,100 of my constituents from GPs' surgeries across the South-West Bedfordshire Constituency.

The petition states:

The Petition of supporters of General Practice surgeries in South West Bedfordshire, and others,

Declares that the involvement of commercial companies in General Practice surgeries risks destabilising local surgeries and threatens the comprehensive, high quality care provided by General Practitioners; and further declares that commercial companies are accountable primarily to stakeholders, and that General Practitioners should be free to treat people as patients rather than customers.

The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Government to halt its plans to encourage the involvement of commercial companies in local General Practice surgeries; to continue to support existing NHS General Practice surgeries; and to improve services to patients by further investment in existing General Practice surgeries.

And the Petitioners remain, etc.

[P000364]