Local GPs have criticised a consultation calling for residents' views on the future of London's healthcare, branding it "phenomenally complicated".

As part of Healthcare for London: Consulting the Capital, residents are being invited to comment on minister Professor Lord Darzi's vision for delivering healthcare over the next decade.

Among his recommendations, Lord Darzi calls for a greater focus on prevention of ill health, more choice, and the localisation of routine services while regionalising more specialised ones, such as treatment of trauma.

It also looks at principles surrounding different types of care, such as acute, planned and end-of-life care.

Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) are carrying out individual consultations on the plans, after which the responses will be independently analysed and concrete proposals drawn up.

But Dr Ian Harper, chairman of the Merton, Sutton and Wimbledon Local Medical Committee, says the process is "phenomenally complicated" and fears some of the proposals may be a foregone conclusion.

He also criticised the "broad brush approach" the strategy seems to apply across London.

In particular, he fears the recommended polyclinic model - which would provide more services and doctors than a tradition GP's surgery - would not suit areas such as Merton, where GP surgeries already offer a number of doctors under one roof without stripping patients of personalised care and continuity.

"The document doesn't enable patients to understand that choice one way may mean a reduction in another way, " he added.

But Sutton and Merton PCT insists that the proposals are flexible enough to suit different needs in different parts of the capital, and said the new strategy does not conflict with its Better Healthcare Closer to Home plans, which have already been consulted on.

Residents can find out more about Healthcare for London: Consulting the Capital at two public meetings.

They will take place on February 13, from 2pm to 8pm at Holiday Inn, Gibson Road, Sutton, and on February 19, from 2pm to 8pm at Morden Hall, Morden Hall Road, Morden.

Find out more at suttonandmerton.nhs.uk/h4l. or healthcareforlondon.nhs.uk