Permanent GP contract in Amman Valley one step closer
Hywel Dda University Health Board will seek expressions of interest for the future and long-term delivery of general medical services (GP, and other primary care services such as practice nurse clinics) in the upper Amman Valley area.
The University Health Board has listened very carefully to feedback from patients and patient representatives, including Hywel Dda Community Health Council and elected representatives, about the future of these services. Feedback was gathered from a number of well-attended public drop-in events held in August 2014 in Garnant, Gwaun Cae Gurwen and Brynamman, as well as through surveys and traditional letters.
A panel made up of representatives from the Hywel Dda University Health Board and Abertawe Bro Morganwg University Health Board, including a senior clinician, a community nurse, an independent board member; NHS Shared Services; Hywel Dda CHC; and written evidence from the Local Medical Committee; met recently to discuss options.
It follows the end of a previous GP partnership – Amman Valley Practice – which provided general medical services in the three areas. A single temporary contract was awarded earlier this year, and is still current to Amman Tawe Partnership, to ensure a quick solution to sustaining important community healthcare services whilst a permanent solution is sought. The next step is not reflective of the performance of the practice and a more permanent solution was always the intended next phase in the contracting process
At the panel meeting, representatives dismissed the option of dissolving the contract and absorbing patients in other nearby practices as it was felt this was not in the best interests of local people. We felt it important to go out to an open tender to invite interest from any new provider interested in delivering the service.
Therefore, two contracts will be available to tender for, one for Carmarthenshire residents and one for Neath Port Talbot residents, through a process overseen by Hywel Dda University Health Board. This will give more flexibility to both Hywel Dda and ABMU Health Boards in deciding the best award of future permanent contract whilst also recognising the benefits to the patients in having choice and services aligned with others in the areas they live.
Assistant Director of Primary Care Elaine Lorton explained: “We have looked very carefully at the situation in the upper Amman Valley and we would like to thank local patients and members of the community for their submissions and feedback to the engagement process. This feedback was an integral part of the considerations by the panel and I hope this is reflected in our decision to keep a contract for Hywel Dda University Health Board within its boundary and to openly seek expressions of interest from any interested provider.
“The views of patients and the public will continue to inform the future planning of these services and we plan to come back out and meet with the population prior to making a final permanent contract decision.”
Head of Primary Care & Planning for ABMU Health Board, Lindsay Davies said “We are working with Hywel Dda Health Board to ensure that the contracts for primary care services are awarded in the interests of local people. We will ensure that the positive benefits from any changes will be realised as we maintain or improve current levels of access across the whole area. The aim of the Health Board will be to put in place a sustainable service, focussed around the specific health needs of the population”
General medical service providers will be invited to submit their expressions of interest for one or both of these contracts. They will need to demonstrate a clear vision and plan for the provision of safe, high quality and integrated primary care services, in line with both University Health Boards’ aim to provide more care in the community closer to people’s homes.
It is intended that the contract or contracts will be awarded before Easter and letters to all households currently registered with the Amman Valley Practice will be sent in the New Year informing them of any changes to their general medical care.
In the meantime, patients will continue to be provided with services from the Amman Tawe Partnership (ATP) and the University Health Board would like to thank ATP for maintaining quality general medical services during this time.
The University Health Board has listened very carefully to feedback from patients and patient representatives, including Hywel Dda Community Health Council and elected representatives, about the future of these services. Feedback was gathered from a number of well-attended public drop-in events held in August 2014 in Garnant, Gwaun Cae Gurwen and Brynamman, as well as through surveys and traditional letters.
A panel made up of representatives from the Hywel Dda University Health Board and Abertawe Bro Morganwg University Health Board, including a senior clinician, a community nurse, an independent board member; NHS Shared Services; Hywel Dda CHC; and written evidence from the Local Medical Committee; met recently to discuss options.
It follows the end of a previous GP partnership – Amman Valley Practice – which provided general medical services in the three areas. A single temporary contract was awarded earlier this year, and is still current to Amman Tawe Partnership, to ensure a quick solution to sustaining important community healthcare services whilst a permanent solution is sought. The next step is not reflective of the performance of the practice and a more permanent solution was always the intended next phase in the contracting process
At the panel meeting, representatives dismissed the option of dissolving the contract and absorbing patients in other nearby practices as it was felt this was not in the best interests of local people. We felt it important to go out to an open tender to invite interest from any new provider interested in delivering the service.
Therefore, two contracts will be available to tender for, one for Carmarthenshire residents and one for Neath Port Talbot residents, through a process overseen by Hywel Dda University Health Board. This will give more flexibility to both Hywel Dda and ABMU Health Boards in deciding the best award of future permanent contract whilst also recognising the benefits to the patients in having choice and services aligned with others in the areas they live.
Assistant Director of Primary Care Elaine Lorton explained: “We have looked very carefully at the situation in the upper Amman Valley and we would like to thank local patients and members of the community for their submissions and feedback to the engagement process. This feedback was an integral part of the considerations by the panel and I hope this is reflected in our decision to keep a contract for Hywel Dda University Health Board within its boundary and to openly seek expressions of interest from any interested provider.
“The views of patients and the public will continue to inform the future planning of these services and we plan to come back out and meet with the population prior to making a final permanent contract decision.”
Head of Primary Care & Planning for ABMU Health Board, Lindsay Davies said “We are working with Hywel Dda Health Board to ensure that the contracts for primary care services are awarded in the interests of local people. We will ensure that the positive benefits from any changes will be realised as we maintain or improve current levels of access across the whole area. The aim of the Health Board will be to put in place a sustainable service, focussed around the specific health needs of the population”
General medical service providers will be invited to submit their expressions of interest for one or both of these contracts. They will need to demonstrate a clear vision and plan for the provision of safe, high quality and integrated primary care services, in line with both University Health Boards’ aim to provide more care in the community closer to people’s homes.
It is intended that the contract or contracts will be awarded before Easter and letters to all households currently registered with the Amman Valley Practice will be sent in the New Year informing them of any changes to their general medical care.
In the meantime, patients will continue to be provided with services from the Amman Tawe Partnership (ATP) and the University Health Board would like to thank ATP for maintaining quality general medical services during this time.
Comments