Out-of-hours GPS firm may stay on despite criticism

‘We need to review what happened… because clearly it has not gone well’

The under-fire company running a troubled out-of-hours service for GPS across the district says it may yet continue with its threeyear contract – despite giving notice to quit.

It emerged last week that Primecare had told health chiefs it was planning to terminate the contract it won last year.

The decision came after a rocky start for the service, which saw the company issued with a warning over its performance by the four east Kent Clinical Commissioning Groups within three months of it starting.

It was then rated as inadequate by the Care Quality Commission four months ago and placed in special measures, with inspectors ordering it to take steps to improve to ensure vulnerable patients were not at risk.

Primecare, which also runs the NHS 111 non-emergency service, has now said it retains the option of withdrawing its notice to quit.

A statement said the company had been working together with the CCGS to ensure “the continued safe delivery of NHS 111 and out-of-hours GP and nurse-led services in east Kent”.

A new joint working arrangement is in place, it says, to ensure there is a “quality service for the duration of the contract between both parties”.

It is understood the company believes it can continue with the contract if the issues identified by inspectors are resolved.

The Ashford CCG said it did not want to comment. However, last week it said it would appoint an interim provider for the NHS 111 and out-of-hours services from July 2018 until March 2019. A new procurement would then be carried out to continue the services from April 1, 2019.

Simon Perks, the chief accountable officer for Canterbury and Ashford CCGS, said despite efforts to turn around performance, there remained problems and admitted the contract procurement process had gone wrong.

“A lot of effort and collaborative work went into the mobilisation of this and it has not worked.

“The provider did not come into this to provide a bad service.

“We need to review what happened with procurement because clearly it has not gone well.”

It is understood that inspectors from the CQC are making a monitoring visit to the company to check on progress.

What do you think? Email kentishgazette@thekmgroup. co.uk or write to Gazette House, 5-8 Boorman Way, Wraik Hill, Whitstable, CT5 3SE.