inews: Out-of-hours doctors | HEALTH chiefs have thrown a lifeline to a doctors’ co-operative running Islington’s out-of-hours emergency service.

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Islington Tribune - by TOM FOOT
Published: 30 May 2008

Islington news | Doctors | axe | reprieve | Camden PCT | Contract Chief Liz White | Health | Private

Out-of-hours doctors win two-year reprieve from axe

HEALTH chiefs have thrown a lifeline to a doctors’ co-operative running Islington’s out-of-hours emergency service.
It had been feared the co-operative, Camidoc, could be axed in favour of a private operator as Camden’s Primary Care Trust (PCT), which runs the service on Islington’s behalf, considered whether to put its contract out to tender.
But, following a public protest, a deal has been agreed that will guarantee Camidoc retains its key role until at least 2010. The PCT’s contracts chief, Liz White, told a trust board meeting last week: “We have decided to defer the present tendering process and extend the out-of-hours service for the maximum period. The board has decided that it is simply not the right time to put the service out for tender.”
In Islington, Camidoc came under fire in 2005 following the death of Penny Campbell. The journalist and mother died after eight doctors working for the out-of-hours service failed to spot symptoms of septicaemia
The doctors were later cleared of wrong-doing. Following an investigation by Islington PCT, changes have been made to the out-of-hours service.
Helen Petterson, senior manager of Islington PCT, told a trust board meeting last Thursday: “The things that needed to be done have been done and the case has now been signed off.”
Campaigners have claimed Camidoc’s new deal represents a “significant victory”.

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