Panel backs decision over out-of-hours GP service

NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin said it was committed to delivering a "high-quality, value-for-money out-of-hours service"

An independent panel has backed a decision to select a different company for a proposed contract for a Shropshire out-of-hours GP service.

Shropdoc, a not-for-profit company staffed by local doctors, has run the service since 1996. But in February, NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin (NHS STW) said approval was granted for intending to award the contract to Wiltshire-based Medvivo.

Following representations by Shropdoc, the panel stated it found STW integrated care board (ICB) acted in accordance with regulations and so it had advised it to proceed with the proposed contract award.

Shropdoc said due to the "legal standstill period" in place, it was unable to comment.

Healthcare campaigner Gill George from Shropshire Defend Our NHS said she was devastated and thought most people in the region would be.

"They know local services like the back of their hand – Shropdoc has got that local knowledge and local expertise of GPs and community services."

The contract had an initial term of three years starting on Tuesday this week, with the option of a two-year extension and an estimated value, including the extension, of about £36m excluding VAT, the panel stated.

STW ICB had six bids, according to Tuesday's report from the independent patient choice and procurement panel's review of the proposed award.

Nearly 600 surveys

The document said that in February the board announced the successful bidder. Shropdoc's proposal was ranked fifth, with a score of 68.52%, compared to 86.85% for Medvivo, the report added.

NHS STW launched a scheme in August last year that saw residents share views and said nearly 600 surveys were completed.

If a GP out-of-hours service contract was awarded to a new provider, NHS STW has stated, one of its priorities would be to ensure as little change to patients as possible.

There would be no change to its palliative care line and home visits would still be available, it added.

Shropdoc stated it acknowledged the "outcome of the procurement process and the associated report relating to the GP Out of Hours (GPOOH) service have now been published".

Medvivo is based in the south-west of England, according to its website, and in 2020 joined HealthHero to become the group's NHS service provider.

It specialises in integrated urgent care and associated services.