Locations for GP out-of-hours service in Shropshire could change in shake-up
Locations used for Shropshire's out-of-hours GP service could change in the future depending on the outcome of a tender process.
Shropdoc currently provides the service but its contract with Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCG) ends on September 30, and the new contract is up for grabs.
Ludlow, Whitchurch and Bridgnorth community hospitals, Royal Shrewsbury Hospital and Oswestry's Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital are currently used as bases to provide the service.
But a report to Shropshire CCG's governing body, which meets tomorrow, says this may change if the successful bidder cannot secure an agreement with existing providers.
A report to the board by Nicky Wilde, director of primary care, says: "It is not envisaged that the range of services or the manner in which they are provided will be affected.
"As a result of the procurement there could be a change to the location of services across the county, however the procurement has requested that due attention is given to ensure that patient access is in line with current access arrangements.
"Should the locations change (and this would require CCG agreement) extensive communications will be undertaken to inform patient awareness of where to access services.
"Patients being directed to face-to-face consultations through 111 will be advised of the relevant location to attend at the time of calling."
It says that Shropshire CCG would require providers to ensure "continuity of an equitable geographical spread of bases" and locations of treatment centres would need to be established based on patient and population requirements.
A decision on which organisation will run the GP out-of-hours service is expected to be made in the summer.
It emerged last week that Shropdoc has partnered with Shropshire Community Health NHS Trust (Shropcom) in a bid to win the new contract for the county.
They will jointly tender for the new Integrated Urgent Care Service.
Last year, Shropdoc revealed it was facing its most serious financial situation in more than 20 years, although it was later announced that it had developed a financial recovery plan.
Shropcom is also expected to be acquired by another organisation this year, with two trusts in the frame – Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust and South Staffordshire and Shropshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.
Dr Russell Muirhead, chairman of Shropdoc, said both organisations were passionate about high quality patient care in the community setting.
