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Secret shortlist for ‘super-sized’ clinic
Campaigners lash out at latest threat to ‘NHS principles’
PRIVATE companies are on the verge of winning a massive NHS contract to run a super-sized clinic in Euston.
NHS Camden has compiled a shortlist of four preferred bidders, including three private firms, to run the GP-Led Health Centre in the Logica Building in Hampstead Road, expected to open in November.
The companies on the shortlist are being kept secret from patients – who will not be consulted on who runs the service.
A consortium of Bloomsbury doctors have joined forces with the out-of-hours operator Camidoc in a bid for the NHS contract, worth £20-million over five years.
Campaigners say the plans represent a huge threat to traditional neighbourhood practices in Regent’s Park, Camden Town, Somers Town and Bloomsbury.
Doctors fear the 10,000 registered patient list will be hived off from their local practices, leading to a drop in funding and potentially forcing them out of business.
Dr Robert McGibbon, a former partner of the Regent’s Park Practice, said: “The only reason I can see that they want a GP-Led Health Centre is to introduce private companies into the health system. They are doing this without consultation – that’s just not on.
“I have been a GP for 40 years and I have no idea how private companies think they can make enough profit for their shareholders.”
Campaigners successfully overturned plans to open a “polyclinic”, a similar super-sized centre to the GP-Led Health Centre, in the University College London Hospital last year.
They relaunched their campaign this weekend by driving through Regent’s Park ward with a megaphone, raising the alarm over what is seen as the latest threat to founding principles of the NHS.
Candy Udwin, chairman of Keep Camden GPs in the NHS, said: “This is worse than the polyclinic because it is a new service that will inevitably have to compete with other GP surgeries for patients.
“Such super centres go completely against the consensus that such new developments should not be centralised or building-focused.”
Patient confidence in NHS Camden, an unelected body that agrees funding for all Camden NHS contracts, was severely damaged last year after contracts to run three surgeries in south Camden were awarded to the American health giant UnitedHealth UK.
NHS Camden say they have invited a range of providers including “general practitioners, social enterprise/third sector organisations and others” to run the service.
They expect the health centre to reduce “health inequalities” by being open seven days a week from 8am to 8pm, with a walk in service for non registered and non-registered patients.
• Doctors, campaigners and Labour MP Frank Dobson will address a public meeting in Dick Collins Hall, Redhill Street, Regent’s Park, on Wednesday from 7pm. |
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