UK campaigners mount legal challenge over US takeover of GP surgeries

UK patients and doctors are backing a legal challenge to a takeover of NHS general practice services by a private US health company. They want a judicial review of a decision by North Central London Clinical Commissioning Group to allow eight general practices to be taken over by health insurance giant Centene to expand the firm’s UK portfolio.

Campaigners, including the group Keep Our NHS Public, argue that the decision to allow change of control lacked transparency and should be declared unlawful. They said it posed risks to patients’ care and could lead to unprofitable services being closed down and personal data leaving the UK.

A Crowdjustice fundraising appeal was launched on 20 May in support of the judicial review bid being brought by …