PCTs Welcome News on Preferred Bidders for New NHS Funded Independent Sector Provision in the County
16/08/2006
Gloucestershire’s Primary Care Trusts have today welcomed more details of the new Department of Health contracts being developed with Independent Sector providers in the county.
These new contracts will increase choice for patients receiving NHS care in the county with some new services being in place in April 2007 for diagnostics and in August 2008 for outpatient services and surgical procedures.
The Department of Health has confirmed that UKSH has been selected as the preferred bidder to provide outpatient services and surgical procedures and that Atos Origin has been selected as the preferred bidder for a number of diagnostic tests.
Locally, this will mean that, subject to successful contractual discussions over the next few months, Atos Origin will plan to provide some diagnostic tests (e.g. MRI scans) at the Winfield Hospital site in Gloucester.
Patients in Gloucestershire will also have access to diagnostics in Bristol, Bath or Swindon as these sites form part of the national IS contract for diagnostics.
UKSH plan to provide services from Cirencester Hospital and Lydney and District Hospital from August 2008. The contract with UKSH is expected to cover general surgery (e.g. hernias) and ear, nose and throat procedures. These local sites will link with a hub site north of Bristol which will offer additional procedures.
It is envisaged that NHS services will continue to be provided on these sites and other hospital sites across the county, providing choice for patients.
Chief Executive of West Gloucestershire Primary Care Trust, Stephen Golledge said:
“Now the preferred bidder has been confirmed, we can take the opportunity to have more detailed local discussions with both Atos Origin and UKSH to support them to tailor their services to best meet Gloucestershire’s specific needs.”
“It is important that we make best use of this provision. The aim of this initiative is primarily to give patients a greater choice of where and when they are treated, but also to consider how it can help improve waiting times for those patients who currently wait the longest.”
Chief Executive of Cotswold and Vale PCT, Richard James, said: “This is a great example of how successful partnerships between local clinicians and independent providers can result in improved and sustainable services for local people. It is also an example of expanding patient choice. I am delighted by the news of this contract.”
Matron at Cirencester Hospital, Barbara Ruthers, said: “This is great news for staff and patients at the hospital. Over the years, Cirencester has experienced a gradual reduction in surgical activity but this step will reverse that trend and dramatically improve local access to surgery for patients.”
Local Rendcomb GP, Dr Stuart Drysdale, added: “This move will be highly beneficial to patients needing routine surgery who currently have to travel to Gloucester or Cheltenham. It is a positive sign that promised services for local communities will be delivered.”
Modern Matron at Lydney and District Hospital, Maria Metherall said:
“This is positive news for patients and the announcement is to be welcomed. It does not affect current proposals for local health services, but reinforces the important role that Lydney and District Hospital would continue to play prior to any development of a new health facility in the Forest of Dean.”
“This national initiative will provide a real boost to local development plans and reaffirms the commitment to providing services locally.”
