MPs pledge 'watchful eye' over Shropshire out-of-hours GP services decision

Earlier this month NHS Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin confirmed it had chosen the firm Medvivo as the preferred bidder following the tender for out-of-hours GP services.

The contract was previously held by the not-for-profit organisation ShropDoc - which had also unsuccessfully bid to win the new contract.

The process was expected to have been formally approved on February 14, but has been delayed after 'representations' were made to NHS Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin.

NHS bosses have insisted that decision to choose Medvivo as the preferred provider was not about cutting costs, with a spokesman saying: "From the very beginning, NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin has been committed to delivering a high-quality, value-for-money out-of-hours service that meets the needs of our local communities.

“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.”

In the mean time more than 13,000 people have added their support to a petition against the changes, and a protest is planned ahead of Shropshire Council's meeting on Thursday, February 27.

Now, Shropshire’s Labour MPs, Julia Buckley, who represents Shrewsbury, and Shaun Davies, who represents Telford, have told residents they are 'closely monitoring' the situation.

In a joint statement they said: “We have met with local health bosses — both together and separately — several times in recent days to ensure our constituents’ concerns are heard. We have made it clear that this process must be fair, transparent, and driven by patient care, not cost-cutting given the NHS has received its biggest funding boost (£20 billion) since 2010 under the new government.

“While we fully understand the legal requirement to re-tender this service to ensure periodic reviews for value and quality, we understand the anxiety this has caused — our own families, like many across Shropshire, have depended on ShropDoc.

“ShropDoc has been an essential part of our local health offer and at a time when GP access is difficult and hospitals are under immense pressure, maintaining a reliable out-of-hours service is absolutely critical.”

The MPs said NHS leaders had personally assured them that under the new contract patients will still be able to access face-to-face consultations at the current five designated bases after a telephone assessment, and that home visits will continue where clinically necessary.

 The MPs added: “We will keep a watchful eye on every stage of this process, including the legal challenge. Our communities deserve clarity and confidence in their healthcare services, and we will keep them informed every step of the way.”