County NHS bosses have picked a preferred new provider for out-of-hours GP services - and it isn't Shropdoc
County NHS bosses have chosen a preferred new provider for Shropshire's out-of-hours GP services.
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NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin said the decision, which will see the contract taken over by Medvivo, still needs to go through final approval stages.
But it means that it is likely that Shropdoc, the county's longstanding out-of-hours provider will no longer be providing the service.
The development was revealed in a statement posted on the NHS Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin's website from its chief medical officer Dr Lorna Clarson and director of commissioning Gemma Smith.
It comes after the organisation has been in the process of commissioning the provider for the new contract since August last year.
The statement said: "Following the NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin board meeting which took place on Wednesday, January 29, board members have approved the recommendation and intent of county commissioners to award the GP Out of Hours contract to Medvivo.
"Importantly, we remain within the procurement process and whilst the standstill period is active, we cannot officially confirm Medvivo as the new provider or share any further information – only that it is our intention to award the contract at this stage.
"In line with statutory and legal duties, we have undertaken a robust, transparent and fair commissioning process since August 2024 to determine the future of the GP Out of Hours service in the county.
"This has been undertaken by NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin, through a competitive procurement process in order to continue providing a high-quality, value for money out of hours service that meets the needs of our local people, in accordance with the key principles of the Provider Selection Regime.
"As part of this process, we have collected a wide range of patient feedback to help understand people’s views around GP Out of Hours services and what is important to them. This has enabled us to enact our role as health commissioners in ensuring provision of the very best service we can, and to comply with national procurement regulations.
"Once we are able to share further information and confirm the new provider, we will communicate this widely to patients, the public, our partners and stakeholders."
