New out-of-hours GP contract to be reviewed

Health officials intend to award the contract to a new company instead of the not-for-profit Shropdoc

The decision to give the contract for Shropshire's out-of-hours GP service to a new company will be reviewed by an independent panel, NHS officials say.

It comes after NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin (NHS STW) confirmed it had removed the contract from Shropdoc, a not-for-profit organisation that currently provides the service.

NHS chiefs said they had undertaken a "robust, transparent and fair commissioning process", but now a "standstill" period would remain open.

Dr Rob Park, one of the founders of Shropdoc, said the board's original "engagement process" had been "minimal" and he feared the new service would not be as good.

NHS STW confirmed the contract was intended to go to Wiltshire-based Medvivo - which has been contacted for comment - on 5 February.

The board then entered the standstill period - the time between a contract being awarded and then signed.

After the period ends, the board has confirmed it would then consider the representations and then review the decision through the independent panel.

'Not a cost-cutting measure'

Speaking after the announcement of the contract, Dr Park said Medvivo was part of a venture capital company.

"They seemingly are going to provide the service for less," he said.

Meanwhile, Lib Dem Bernie Bentick, shadow portfolio holder for public health at Shropshire Council, said the overall impetus for the move seemed to be to cut costs.

He said he believed the value of the current Shropdoc contract was in excess of £10m per year.

A spokesperson for the board said: "The service specification remains unchanged, and the re-procurement is not a cost-cutting measure.

"It will continue to be a locally provided service, staffed by local clinicians, with face-to-face appointments forming a core element and remaining available at the out of hours bases and via home visits."