Camidoc goes to law over rejection by NHS
Doctors slam decision to tear up their contract
Published: 26 August, 2010
by TOM FOOT
THE not-for-profit group of doctors kicked out of Camden after asking for more funding to treat people on the NHS has launched a legal challenge against the decision.
James Hood, chief executive of the out-of-hours care provider Camidoc, told the New Journal he had sent a “letter before claim” to NHS Camden on Friday.
“I am awaiting their response,” he added.
The New Journal revealed earlier this month how hundreds of local doctors and medical staff are fearing for their jobs after NHS Camden refused to sign its contract with Camidoc and replaced them with private firm Harmoni Ltd.
Hertfordshire-based Harmoni is expected to begin running the out-of-hours service in Camden on a nine-month contract from October 1.
But, according to advice in a Camden Council report, “there should have been a tender process” and the failure to have one “could lead to the contract being challenged in the High Court”.
More than 100 Camidoc doctors last night (Wednesday) had signed a letter opposing the decision, criticising the “total lack of transparency” and calling for the changes to be put on hold.
The campaign group Camden Keep Our NHS Public is also in talks with lawyers about a judicial review.
Camidoc, campaigners, health bosses and councillors will debate the decision in the Town Hall on Wednesday night.
Figures released by the government this week show Camden health bosses spent £12.2million on consultancy fees last year – up from £1.8million the year before.
An NHS Camden spokesman blamed the huge rise in management costs on the arrival of Commissioning Support for London (CSL), a consultancy firm which is renting space once reserved for health services in Stephenson House, Euston.
Camidoc was awarded a £4million contract in March, chosen ahead of Harmoni, which was rated second best in the tendering process.
NHS Camden interim chief executive Liz Wise said at the time that securing Camidoc’s services would “guarantee high standards”.
But five months later, an NHS Camden spokesman said the not-for-profit group had been dropped to ensure “the continuity of a safe and viable service”, adding that there were questions over its “financial stability”.
Mr Hood said demand had rocketed in the past year to the point that “it now costs some £70,000 more per month than Camidoc receives in funding.”
Mr Hood explained the decision as the result of a “difference of opinion” about why they had fallen into debt, adding: “Our financial circumstances were well known to the PCTs.”
Harmoni Ltd, which uses profits to pay a dividend to shareholders, has chosen not to reply to requests for information from the New Journal.
Comments
Emotive Language
Submitted by Anonymous on Sat, 2010-08-28 10:18.When they tendered, Camidoc clearly underpriced the cost to the NHS which is why they failed to meet the services contracted for, for the price tendered. That's not a responsible way to win a contract. "Not for profit" does not mean cheaper for the NHS.
THE not-for-profit group of doctors
Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 2010-08-27 13:37.GPs are self employed and their pay comes out of Practice Profits. The also work for the Out of Hours service for money over and above their NHS Contracts. Ask them how much they earn per hour for out of Hours. I would also say that if the figure of £70,000 per month shortfall is correct then the group of Doctors did not look at their business plan very well.
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