Plan to privatise doctors' surgery

PATIENTS are being reassured that the privatisation of their GP's surgery will not cause a disruption of services.

Newcastle High Street Medical Practice is being put out to tender by NHS North Staffordshire primary care trust (PCT) to ensure the trust complies with new rules.

The surgery is one of two in North Staffordshire run directly by the PCT, rather than as an independent business.

But from April, PCTs will no longer be able to hold contracts for GP surgeries.

So, in order that the High Street practice can continue to operate in its current location, the PCT board has decided to put it out to tender.

It expects a new provider will be in place by next March.

A spokesman for NHS North Staffordshire said part of the new 'Transforming Community Services' Government agenda, the trust could no longer hold the contract.

"This contract has now gone out to tender," he added.

"This will ensure that the services for patients are delivered in the existing building and to the whole of the practice population."

The spokesman added that the first phase of the tendering process had now ended and that there had been a "healthy interest" in the contract.

The final decision will rest with a selection panel which will include both medics and members of the public.

A letter has been sent to the practice's 5,000 patients, explaining the process and assuring them that services will continue as normal.

It states: "The relationship between GP and patients is unique and we are committed to ensuring that patients of the High Street practice continue to benefit from receiving high quality GP services without a break." Patients said they hoped the privatisation would not lead to deterioration in services.

Ingrid Morgan, aged 70, of Newcastle, said: "I've been a patient at the practice for as long as it's been here, and I was a patient at the old practice in George Street.

"I think it's run beautifully at the moment. I hope whoever takes over the management keeps it the same."

Jade Ikin, aged 18, of Newcastle, said: "I hadn't heard that the practice was going to be privatised, but hopefully it won't change much.

"It's a really well-run practice. I can't really think of how it could be better."

The only other PCT-run GP practice in North Staffordshire, at Rupert Street, in Biddulph, is due to close in March. Its 2,000 patients are being found new doctors in the town's two other practices, in Well Street.

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