'Public still worried over out-of-hours GP change'

NHS STW said it was publishing updated FAQs and myth-busting bulletins to help increase public confidence

Members of the public remain concerned ahead of Shropshire's out-of-hours GP starting with a new contractor, a meeting has heard.

Health Hero, formerly known as Medvivo, will run the contract from 1 October, taking over from Shropdoc.

A meeting of the board of NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin (NHS STW) on Wednesday heard that the launch was going to plan, and Health Hero would play a "vital part" as the health service prepared for winter.

NHS STW said it was continuing to post updated information and answering questions from the public, which it hoped would help increase public confidence in the move.

"We recognise that there remains concern around the future of this service," said a board paper presented by chief executive Simon Whitehouse.

"We have continued to publish updated FAQs and myth-busting bulletins to help increase public confidence."

The board takes questions from the public and publishes the answers on its website at a later date.

"Will the board be mindful, prior to signing off any final decision, that the ICB and Medvivo/Health Hero will face intense scrutiny over the future provision of GP urgent care services?" asked questioner Gill George, of Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin Defend Our NHS, in June.

Officials responded that it was aware of the public interest and recognised that there was a level of concern over the contract.

It said it would ensure "robust contract management is in place alongside monitoring of key performance indicators".

"This will include patient experience measures for both compliments and complaints received via the service."

It added that the board was confident that the procurement process was robust and conducted with integrity.

"This has been confirmed by the publication of the Independent Patient Choice and Procurement Panel."

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, which covers councils and other public service organisations.