BMJ  2006;332:1048 (6 May), doi:10.1136/bmj.332.7549.1048-b

News

Concordia Health wins south London contract for primary care

Abergavenny

Contracts for running three GP practices that have been run directly by the local primary care trust have been awarded to new operators. Southwark Health and Social Care Board has awarded contracts for the management of the medical centres at Melbourne Grove, Parkside, and Sternhall Lane, all in south London. The new regimes are expected to take over within the next three months.

The contracts for the management of the Melbourne Grove practice in Dulwich and Parkside in Camberwell have been awarded to Concordia Health, an organisation led by GPs John Chisholm and Simon Fradd together with NHS specialist lawyer Andrew Lockhart-Mirams. The Sternhall Lane contract in Peckham has been awarded to the Hurley Group, a GP partnership in Lambeth.

"I am delighted that current and future patients of these practices are set to benefit from the experience, skills, and energy of new managers who can build on what has been achieved over the past two years and develop them into truly excellent practices," said Chris Bull, Southwark Primary Care Trust's chief executive.

Southwark Primary Care Trust awarded the contracts after an open competitive tender process. Contracts, which will be for a yet to be determined time, are currently being finalised with a start date within the next three months.

Dr John Chisholm's company has been awarded a contract to run GP services

Staff currently working at the three practices will be transferred to the new management, and it is expected that patients will continue to be seen by the same doctors and nurses.

Dr Chisholm, a former chairman of the BMA's General Practitioners Committee, and Dr Fradd both had key roles in negotiating the new General Medical Services contract.

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