Campaigners vow to battle to keep GP out-of-hours provider in Shropshire after NHS blow
Campaigners are hopeful they can help keep the Shropdoc out-of-hours GP service in the county.
NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin (STW) has said it intends to award the out-of-hours contract to Medvivo, a Wiltshire-based firm that specialises in integrated urgent care and associated services.
It means that Shropdoc – a not-for-profit company that has provided the service in the region since 1996 – could lose its contract.
In its strategic report for the year ending March 2024, which was published on Companies House on August 15, Shropdoc admitted that the current contract, which was signed in July 2022, was “under strain”.
“This is due to increased activity, demand, and high inflation, leading to significant cost measures for Shropdoc,” reads the report.
“Commissioners proposed a short-term extension due to the General Election and ongoing management changes within the Integrated Care System (ICS) in Shropshire. This lack of long-term commitment creates financial uncertainty for Shropdoc.
“Despite these challenges, we are optimistic about reaching a successful outcome in the negotiations. Both Shropdoc and commisioners share a desire for a stable and long-term arrangment.
“A well-functioning urgent care service benefits both parties. Shropdoc has a proven track record of delivering high-quality urgent care services under the current contract. While the current situation poses a risk, we are confident that our strong performance, commitment to partnership, and proactive approach will lead to a successful resolution and long-term contract extension.”
NHS STW says that, as part of its commissioning responsibilities and in line with its statutory and legal duties, there is a need to re-procure the service, with a new contract to last for up to five years.
However, it said it’s not “a money-saving exercise”, but about “ensuring value for money alongside high-quality service provision, whilst meeting legislative obligations within the Provider Selection Regime (PSR).”
Health chiefs also carried out an engagement survey as part of the process, which received nearly 600 responses.
Shropshire Defend our NHS organised a meeting at Ludlow Assembly Rooms on Thursday (February 6) evening where people could see what can be done to keep Shropdoc going.
This includes setting up a petition, which will be sent to Health Secretary Wes Streeting, local MPs and councillors across the two authorities,.
Shropshire Defend our NHS’ hope is that Shropdoc will keep the contract, with the final decision set to be made from February 14.
“Once in a while, you see them do something and you think, ‘if that happens, that is going to kill people’ and that is very much my analysis and the analysis of many other people with more expert knowledge that I have got about GP out-of-hours and related services,” said the group’s chair, Gill George.
“We’ve got an extremely good out-of-hours service – it’s better than most around the country.
“It works. Shropdoc provide a dedicated pallitative care hotline throughout the night and at weekends and a care co-ordination centre that plans people’s care wherever possible. If we lose Shropdoc, it means worse care and access, and more people waiting for ambulances.
“The NHS is not and cannot be seen as the plaything of senior NHS leaders.”
Councillor Bernie Bentick, shadow portfolio holder for adult social care and public health accused senior health chiefs of “failing to realise the seriousness of not prioritising urgent care". He described it as "another scandal".
“The health chiefs have lost the trust of the people in Shropshire and they need to regain it by engaging with the people and organisations that are interested in the care and health of people,” said Councillor Bentick.
“I struggle to understand how they [Medvivo] can provide the same or better service, even if it’s the same money they are putting in the contract, and making a profit.”
Potentially losing Shropdoc is also part of a motion that Councillor Olly Rose has tabled, asking for Oswestry Town Council to express “its grave concern” at its meeting on Wednesday (February 12).
“Shropdoc is widely appreciated and run by local GP surgeries, not for profit and with the extensive local knowledge of areas, distances between places and services available,” said Councillor Rose.
“It seems that being replaced by a call service run from another area of the country may potentially cut costs initially, but seems likely it will result in more referrals to A&E, more ambulance calls and a poorer quality service all round due to the lack of integration into the local community networks.”
