Health chiefs are close to awarding a contract to run the Rouen Road walk-in centre, the next door GP practice and city branches in Beechcroft and Old Palace Road.
The company on the brink of getting the contract is Buckinghamshire-based Chilvers and McCrea Limited, but councillors are concerned they are part of a health group which was previously the focus of a BBC Panorama probe.
And the Vulnerable Adults Service Inclusion Hub, based in Westwick Street, which provides support for people with complex needs, including homeless people – is due to be awarded to Yorkshire-based OneMedicare.
The decisions by the Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Board (ICB) followed a competitive tendering process.
But councillors were told a request has been made for the award of the vulnerable adults service contract to be ‘called in’ by health secretary Wes Streeting.
They were not told who had made that request, which could lead to Mr Streeting intervening.
Health secretary Wes Streeting (Image: Lucy North/PA)
But councillors and watchdog Healthwatch are seeking reassurances over what the impact of the contract changes will have on patients.
The matter was discussed at a meeting of Norfolk’s Health Overview Select Committee – made up of representatives from Norfolk’s councils – on Thursday (January 15).
The committee agreed it wanted to look at the matter in more detail and requested the ICB to produce a report explaining more about the procurement process.
Alex Stewart (Image: Healthwatch Norfolk)
Alex Stewart, chief executive of Healthwatch Norfolk – an organisation which champions patients – told the committee he welcomed the committee’s request to look at the matter in more detail.
“We have spoken to various parties across Norfolk and Waveney in relation to the decision that’s been made and there are concerns.
“Not in the way in which the procurement has been handled in any respect whatsoever.
“Just there are concerns about the potential outcomes of the decision and the effect that may have on patients and carers.”
Lucy Galvin (Image: Lauren De Boise)
Lucy Galvin, Green city councillor, said the services were “lifelines” for thousands of people and eased pressures on A&E.
She said the services were currently run by local providers and said: “We do need full transparency on why such a major change in provider is happening now.
“I do feel we have not been kept abreast fully on this. It has gone from a provider that saved the service to, potentially, other providers that do have question marks.”
A spokesman for NHS Norfolk and Waveney ICB said the contracts had yet to be awarded as they were in the “standstill” period.
He said: “The walk-in centre, the inclusion health hub and the three GP surgeries all provide vital services and help to make is easier for people to get the care they need.
“We are working through the procurement process to put in place new contracts for these services, and once this has been completed, we will share information about our plans for the future.
“In the meantime, all of these services continue to be open as usual for patients to use.”
PANORAMA INVESTIGATIONS
Chilvers and McCrea Limited is part of Operose Health Group, and Liberal Democrat county councillor Lucy Shires told the meeting its parent group had been the focus of an undercover investigation by BBC Panorama in 2022.
The investigation alleged that a London practice operated by Operose, owned by US healthcare giant Centene Corporation, had been hiring less qualified medical staff because they were “cheaper” than GPs.
Operose Health had said its use of those staff – known as physician associates – was in line with NHS England’s long-term plan.
Lucy Shires (Image: NNDC)
Ms Shires said: “Why are we looking elsewhere in the country to provide local healthcare? The system is messed up.
“We’ve got somebody who is going to make huge profits from this who isn’t part of our community.”
The walk-in centre was saved from closure last year, after the ICB decided not to shut it following consultation and public outrage.
Temporary contracts to run it, the GP practice and the vulnerable adults service were awarded to community interest company Norfolk Primary Care.