Camden New Journal - News: Anger deepens over private GP takeover

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Camden New Journal - by TOM FOOT
Published: 6 March 2008

Protesters at the Town Hall on Tuesday, who say they were hoodwinked by PCT

Anger deepens over private GP takeover

Protesters demand PCT puts ‘patients before profit’

AN angry crowd of patients and doctors fighting plans to privatise three GP surgeries have forced Camden health bosses to listen to their demands.
More than 60 packed a committee room in the Town Hall on Tuesday night, claiming they had been “hoodwinked” over the decision to let American health giant United Health take charge of The Brunswick Medical Centre in Bloomsbury, The King’s Cross Road Practice and the Camden Road Surgery from March.
The decision is to be taken to the High Court after a patient claimed the Camden Primary Care Trust’s consultation process did not mention that a private provider was in the running.
Health bosses at the PCT say they were under no obligation to reveal United Health, but patients feel cheated.
A panel of councillors on the health scrutiny committee on Tuesday night urged the PCT to “let the public have their say” in a public meeting.
PCT chief executive Rob Larkman begrudgingly agreed and said: “There was full and formal consultation in relation to the provider. United Health will give us more flexibility in securing a range of services.”
Caversham Practice Dr Daniel Toeg, who delivered a deputation on behalf of the campaigners, said: “The surgeries that went in during the tendering process offered £100 per patient. United Health were chosen because they offered £75. They say they are going to offer lots of new services and be open later than other surgeries – but doctors who have been practising here for decades do not think they can do that for that price. I urge the PCT to reconsider and to listen to the views of local residents.”
All are welcome to the public meeting to be held in the PCT’s headquarters in St Pancras Way on Monday from 6.30pm.
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