HEALTH bosses faced a barrage of questions at a public consultation meeting held this week.

Members of the public turned out to Winwick Leisure Centre on Monday to learn more about the proposed Primary Care Strategy.

The radical strategy promises to reduce the patient journey, cut short waiting times and reduce hospital admissions by providing a new healthcare model.

This would initially focus on the creation of two health super centres at the Garven Place site and in Orford Park before being rolled out across the town to incorporate three other similar centres.

Helen Abendstern, director of commissioning for the PCT, and Dr Rita Robertson, director of public health for the town, briefed the public on what the strategy entailed before opening up the floor for discussion.

And the questions came thick and fast.

Among the main concerns were a perceived end to a personal relationship with trusted family GPs, transport difficulties and the all important GP compliance.

PCT reassurances that the number of pharmacies in the town would not be slashed as a result of the creation of the super centres did little to placate its critics. One attendee said: "Pharmacies live and die by their prescriptions. If they are not in close physical proximity to the GPs then they will be finished."

The majority of people at the meeting failed to be won over by reassurances from the PCT, with many remaining sceptical about the potential benefits of the strategy.

Amid claims that the proposals were a one size fits all approach' the PCT maintains that it realises that there will be different solutions for different areas'.

Ms Abendstern added that public opinion will prevail' and that the strategy would only go ahead with their approval The public consultation will close in May and the results will be presented to the PCT board in June.

All responses to the consultation will be measured before a decision on whether to proceed with the strategy is made.