Fears for hundreds of NHS and GP jobs as Camidoc contract is torn up

Published: 06 August, 2010
by TOM FOOT

HUNDREDS of GPs and NHS staff have been warned their jobs are on the line after Islington’s out-of-hours doctors contract was torn-up and awarded to a private firm.

Camidoc, a consortium of local doctors providing care across Islington when surgeries are closed, has been dumped amid concerns over its “ability to manage its finances” and “changes in government policy”.

Doctors have rushed to the defence of the not-for-profit “clinicians on call” service, arguing it has not been properly funded under terms of a new deal agreed with health bosses in March.

Hertfordshire-based Harmoni Ltd – one of the fastest-growing health firms in the country – is expected to run the service on a nine-month temporary contract from October 1.

A leaked memo from Camidoc’s interim chief executive James Hood to staff said: “The reasons given boil down to their [NHS Camden] loss of confidence in Camidoc’s ability to manage its finances – they were very clear that there are no concerns about either the quality or the safety of our services.”

Camidoc was hired in March by the four north London Primary Care Trusts – Camden, Haringey, Hackney and Islington – but Mr Hood’s memo said it no longer had their full support.

The Tribune understands Camidoc ran into the red after demand for the service rocketed by 30 per cent.

On March 25, 2010, NHS Islington’s acting chief executive Helen Pettersen said: “In awarding the out-of-hours contract to Camidoc we will ensure the continuity and high standard of service that I know local people value.”

In fact, Mr Hood’s memo said the NHS Consortium had not signed the contract, leaving them in the clear to cancel the deal.

His message said: “I realise that for most of you this may come as an unpleasant shock, and many of you will now be very worried about your jobs. I cannot give anyone any guarantees, but I will say that no one is saying these services should no longer run.”

Candy Udwin, from Keep Our NHS Public, said: “This is exactly the kind of thing this government wants – for more private companies to take control of chunks of the NHS.”

A joint statement from the consortium read: “We can confirm that a new contract with Camidoc will not be going ahead. The decision was based on issues around the ongoing financial viability of Camidoc and the proposed changes in government policy.”