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Camden News - by TOM FOOT
Published: 8 January 2009

Non-profit GPs must now fight for contract

PRIVATE firms will be allowed to compete for a major contract at the Royal Free Hospital.
Public service campaigners hoped that the contract, to provide a team of GPs to treat all non-emergency patients at the Hampstead hospital, would be awarded to a consortium of doctors from nearby surgeries.
The doctors formed Haverstock Healthcare Limited – a not-for-profit company – in June in the hope it would be selected to provide the service. But despite earlier assurances, the Camden Primary Care Trust will now invite profit-making companies to compete for the contract against the local doctors.
In a statement to patients, PCT chief executive Rob Larkman said: “The PCT has to adhere to Department of Health guidelines on co-operation and competition and the NHS London Commercial Strategy. We cannot exclude certain types of organisation from the process.”
The PCT wants doctors to be stationed in the Royal Free to screen patients who are not in need of emergency treatment. It is hoped the scheme will free up waiting times in A&E.
Keep Camden GPs in the NHS campaign group chairwoman Candy Udwin believes the PCT does not have a legal requirement to tender contracts out to the private sector.
A petition has been set up on the group’s website and a major “Love the NHS” demonstration is planned on February 14.

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