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Doctors plead: Come and join us
Co-operative facing competition from private firms urges patients to show their support
A POPULAR co-operative of doctors who provide an out-of-hours service in Islington is calling on patients to sign up to the organisation.
Camidoc, which provides doctors on call to patients in the borough, is threatened with the loss of its contract when it faces competition from private firms next year.
By having patients, as well as 300 doctors, on its books Camidoc chiefs hope to be in a stronger position during the tendering process. Chief executive Michael Golding, speaking at a consultation meeting in Islington last Thursday, told patients: “There is no financial benefit in becoming a member of Camidoc. But you would have a say in the way the social enterprise is run and who is on the board. We want to be a cooperative with patient members.”
Private firms have for the first time been allowed to bid for primary care services funded by the NHS. Mr Golding, who founded Camidoc 12 years ago, fears he would be unable to compete with bids from firms.
He said: “We think it is unacceptable for public money to be given to shareholders. We also believe that when hospitals like the Whittington become foundation trusts, which it will, they may become more predatory over services in the community. It is possible that while we are now seen as colleagues we will become seen as competitors.”
Camidoc, which also covers Camden, has gone from 150,000 patients to a million. Calls are answered in 60 seconds and all GPs are employed from a local pool.
Islington North Labour MP Jeremy Corbyn said: “I am a total supporter of the NHS. I am proud that it is free at the point of use to all. It is the last civilised thing we have left in this country.
“In Islington, we have a fast turnover of patients. For one reason or other they do not get registered at their surgery, so they go to the hospital for things they should be going to a GP for.”
He warned of the impact the use of private firms would have on the NHS. “You end up with an NHS that is being run for profit over the care of its patients,” he said. “It might sound dramatic, but that is what will happen.
“Bringing the private sector in does not solve problems of management.
“Next year the PCT is going to decide what it wants to do with its out-of-hours service. I support Camidoc because it is GP-led and a cooperative. Love the NHS, defend the NHS, look after it locally by keeping Camidoc.” |
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