``super clinics'' that could kill the need for family doctors.

The Federal Government committed $275 million over five years, starting from 2007-08, to establish GP Super

Clinics in 36 locations around the nation.

Their reasoning is to provide a greater focus on health promotion and illness prevention and better coordination between privately-provided GP and allied health services, community health and other state and

territory Government funded services.

It is also said to reduce the burden on hospital emerg

ency units.

But Doctors' Action Group organiser, Dr Adrian Sheen,

Regentville, is concerned the ``one stop shop'' will affect privacy and the doctor/patient relationship.

He will convene the Nepean Division of General Practice

(NDGP) meeting at Panthers on Monday, November 9.

``The main issue is whether or not people will have a fam

ily doctor,'' he said.

``We need doctors to be part of the local tructure.

``We want the Government to strengthen practices, not dismantle them.

``We have more GPs than any other country and Australia is third in the world for life expectancy.''

Dr Sheen said under the recommendation, each clinic

will have 15 full-time doctors, and other specialists

and nurses, with the potential to cater for 25 per cent

of the population.

Dr Sheen is also concerned that if the super clinics

were on a Penrith main road, traffic jams will worsen due to a lack of parking and poor transport.

He said doctors should be in areas where people can access them.

``There are three doctors for 25,000 people in Glenmore

Park - that's crazy,'' he said.

``There will also be no incentive for young doctors to become family doctors.

``The size of the practice doesn't matter but the re

lationship with your patient does.''

MP for Lindsay David Bradbury said there are no clinics in metropolitan or outer suburban Sydney, and there are currently no plans for a Super Clinic in Penrith.

``I welcome the feedback of GPs on the health reform process,'' Mr Bradbury said.

``Prime Minister Kevin Rudd recently conducted a

consultation on reforms at Nepean Hospital, attended

by GPs and the Nepean Division of General Practice

who gave their opinions on the direction of Australia's health care system.

``No concerns were raised at this consultation about GP

Super Clinics.''

NDGP CEO Michael Edwards said the board has had a

long standing policy on Super Clinics saying that in an

area such as Penrith, with so many integrated practices

that bulk-bill, there is no need for yet another building.

But he said there is a need to support the solo practitioner.

``The modern community planning of bringing back the self-contained village for our Penrith suburbs strikes against centralisation of the family doctor,'' he said.

``Virtual Super clinics is the only answer for the Penrith community and the long term sustainability of the local family doctor.

``We do not want to shut the door on super clinics but to work with the government so that the community and

doctors are supported in an efficient manner.''