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Alarm as GP access money denied to practices

NewsGP leaders have expressed alarm after local practices were denied funding for extended access services in favour of a large primary care business.

The dispute has broken out in Camden where the £1.5 million contract has been awarded to AT Medics, a business led by six GP directors with responsibilities across London for 200,000 patients.

The Federation of Camden GPs had also bid for the contract.

In most areas, extended access money has been awarded to existing practices – but the Health Service Journal reports that CCGs are being encouraged to use “alternative provider” contracts.

It reports that procurement is also underway in South Worcestershire and Herefordshire for contracts worth more than £1 million.

AT Medics has a presence in Camden at the King’s Cross Surgery at St Pancras Hospital.

Under the new system it will provide a rival appointments system to existing practices in the borough, offering “same day and pre-bookable GP appointments at accessible locations from 8am-8pm, seven days a week.”

Rebecca Thornley, from Camden CCG, said: “AT Medics has a strong record of working in partnership with patients and health and social care services to deliver high performing seven day GP services in London.

“We look forward to working with them to make it easier for Camden patients to see a GP at a time that’s convenient for them.”

BMA GP committee chair Dr Chaand Nagpaul told the journal: “We have serious concerns about the competition agenda, enshrined in the Health and Social Care Act, which would mean local GP-led groups that want to provide this service to their patients are not successful in being awarded the contract to do so.

“We remain concerned that our health service could be undermined as the NHS fragments into different providers in a climate where profit becomes more of an imperative than what is the best for patient care.”

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