Camden News: Battle for out-of-hours service

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Camden News - By RICHARD OSLEY
Published: 10 April 2008

Candy Udwin

Battle for out-of-hours service

HEALTH campaigners upset by Camden’s Primary Care Trust decision to hand three surgeries to private operators UnitedHealth have set their sights on another battle: Saving the out-of-hours service from a similar fate.
They believe patients are largely in the dark over the PCT’s consultation over the future of Camidoc, a phone-for-help service for patients which kicks in when surgeries are closed.
UnitedHealth could be in the running for a new out-of-hours contract but are not thought to be the only private company sizing up the service.
Labour councillor Pat Callaghan said: “When people are sick at home and not knowing what to do, they want to know they can trust the people coming to help them. They want to be familiar with them.”
She added: “Our GPs in Camden do a great service. We have some quality doctors and we do not want to lose them.”
Campaign organiser Candy Udwin said: “The PCT are not compelled to go out to tender and there should be full consultation on this one. They missed it before and they are already halfway through this one without people realising. The public has come together on this issue and the campaign doesn’t just end with a contract being signed. People need to make their feelings felt before the consultation ends.”
Anybody wishing to comment on the out of hours service can email their views directly to the PCT at pals@camdenpct.nhs.uk

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