‘Independent panel’ being convened as two councils gear up to turn up heat over Shropdoc decision

Health commissioners say the next stage in the process is a review by an ‘independent panel’ which is yet to meet to discuss a ‘representation’ that NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin has received.

It has been announced that health chiefs intend to award the GP Out of Hours Service contract in the area to Medvivo but they maintain that it is not about making cuts or ‘privatisation’.

The motion laid before Telford & Wrekin Council by its Public Health & Healthier Communities cabinet member Kelly Middleton (Lab, Woodside) speaks of ‘concern and disappointment’ over the move and sets out to find ‘urgent clarification on issues’.

The Shropshire Council motion from Councillor Bernie Bentick (Meole), the Lib Dem Shadow Portfolio Holder for Adult Social Care and Public Health calls for a halt the contract process if NHS Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin has not already made a decision.

Councillor Kelly Middleton’s motion to Telford & Wrekin Council says: “This council is concerned and disappointed at local health bosses’ decision not to award the out of hours GP service contract to the not-for-profit GP co-operative organisation.”

Supported by Lib Dem Group leader Bill Tomlinson, the motion seeks to find a number of “urgent clarifications” about the new contract.

They want assurances that there will be “no decrease in the services based at the Princess Royal Hospital currently provided by Shropdoc” that the number of GPs is maintained and enhanced, that people can still make face-to-face appointments.

Heath leaders say the contract’s service specification remains unchanged.

The councillors also want a report every three months on how the contract is performing.

Councillor Bentick’s motion notes that current provider ShropDoc is a “well known and respected local service, using local GPs who already have long established relationships with other local services and personnel such as secondary care professionals, care providers, palliative care and virtual wards services.”

The councillor notes that a local petition called “Save Our Shropdoc” gained more than 12,000 signatures in 10 days.

The motion also calls for a halt to the process if a new contract has not already been issued and for more scrutiny of it.

Councillor Bentick is also calling on the NHS Shropshire Telford & Wrekin to “fully engage with Shropshire’s residents and health watchdogs before drawing up any revised contracts for GP and related Out of Hours Services and any new services.”

Similar to the Telford motion he also wants a report every three months on how the Out of Hours contract is performing.

A spokesperson for NHS Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin said: “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.”

They add that the service will remain a local provision, delivered by local clinicians.

A spokesperson added: “NHS STW is committed to ensuring local provision continues to be delivered by local clinicians, and that all current bases are utilised by the provider to enable this continuation.

“Within the specification, we have guaranteed that those bases currently commissioned will remain, and we are working with colleagues from the Powys Teaching Health Board on a mutually beneficial arrangement to ensure that cross-border access is maintained.”

They add that “face-to-face appointments form a core element of this service.”

A spokesperson adds that they will keep multiple bases and the “continuity of appointment availability in the five localities from which face-to-face appointments are currently offered.”

Shropshire Council is due to discuss the motion on Thursday morning, with Telford & Wrekin’s full council set to follow on the same evening.