GP surgery to come under new management after financial difficulties

Back in April 2015 when Dr John Brewin (left), Chief Executive of Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and Dr Neal Parkes (right), Chief Executive of Lincolnshire and District Medical Services signed the Universal Health partnership to take charge of the Metheringham GP surgery. EMN-160722-102850001

Patients are being asked for their views on health services as part of a survey in response to the change in management, according to Lincolnshire West Clinical Commissing Group, the NHS body responsible for commissioning 37 GP practices across Lincoln, Gainsborough and surrounding areas.

Lincolnshire Community Health Services NHS Trust (LCHS) will take over the management of the four practices from Monday, August 1 after current provider Universal Health Ltd asked local NHS commissioners to terminate its contract at the end of the month because of financial difficulties.

As well as Metheringham surgery, the Arboretum Surgery and Burton Road Surgery, in Lincoln, and Pottergate Surgery, in Gainsborough, are affected.

Universal Health took over in April 2015 as a joint venture between Lincolnshire and District Medical Services (LADMS) and Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (LPFT). It was billed to brings together the clinical expertise of LADMS in running GP surgeries, with the back office expertise of the NHS Trust.

NHS Lincolnshire West CCG says it has worked hard to secure the agreement with LCHS in a short space of time, but this is only a short-term fix, with the longer term picture unclear as Lincolnshire Community Health Services NHS Trust has only agreed to manage the practices at least until December 15 at this stage.

The CCG is encouraging patients to voice their thoughts – either by filling in a questionnaire or by attending a drop in event close to each of the practices next week.

Sarah Newton, chief operating officer at NHS Lincolnshire West CCG, said: “We understand this may concern some patients but the CCG is absolutely committed to ensuring they can continue to access good-quality and local GP-led health services.

“We have written to every single one of our adult patients affected, informing them of the change in management and now we would really appreciate their feedback.

“We will be looking to make longer-term arrangements for the continued provision of GP services and would like to get people’s thoughts on the type of primary care they want.”

They are encouraging people to air their views at any of the forthcoming drop-in events where staff will be on hand to listen to feedback on a one-to-one basis.

Arboretum Surgery – Between 2pm and 5pm on Monday, July 25 at Teaching Room, YMCA Lincolnshire, St Rumbold’s Street, Lincoln, LN2 5AR.

Burton Road Surgery – Between 2pm and 5pm on Tuesday, July 26 at the Methodist Church, 175 Burton Road, Lincoln, LN1 3LW.

Metheringham Surgery – Between 10am and 1pm on Monday, July 25 at Lincolnshire Poacher, 53 High Street, Metheringham, Lincoln, LN4 3DZ.

Pottergate Surgery – Between 10am and 1pm on Tuesday, July 26 in Bay 4, Community Suite, John Coupland Hospital, Ropery Road, Gainsborough, DN21 2TJ.

All adult patients have been written to by the CCG and they have until September 9 to return their attached questionnaires.

Patients with any queries ahead of or after the drop-in events are able to contact a member of the Lincolnshire West CCG team by ringing 01522 515380 or by emailing [email protected].