24.08.16
Virgin Care beats local NHS bid to land £17m a year community contract
Virgin Care has been named as the preferred supplier to co-ordinate adult community health services in Guildford and Waverley as part of an alliance contract.
The private company, in partnership with Royal Surrey County Hospital FT, Surrey and Borders Partnership FT, Age UK Surrey and Surrey County Council, beat off a local joint NHS bid to land the contract worth £17.6m a year.
Local GP federation Procare, Sussex Community FT and Royal Surrey County Hospital FT had made a joint bid for the contract that covers 17 different services, but was rejected by NHS Guildford and Waverley Clinical Commissioning Group (G&WCCG).
The adult community health services contract, which starts on 1 April 2017, will last two years with the option of extending for a further eight under a lead provider contract. It includes services such as community nursing, therapy services and community hospitals.
Vicky Stobbart, executive nurse, director of quality and safeguarding G&WCCG, said: “The CCG is committed to commissioning high-quality, safe, patient and carer centred services that are compassionate, responsive and needs-led.
“It is important that we work collaboratively towards achieving improved health and wellbeing for our local population.”
Virgin Care, which last week bagged a major £700m health and care co-ordination deal in Bath and North East Somerset, will work collaboration with a range of health, social care and voluntary organisations to develop and deliver fully integrated care. The CCG said primary care will be at the heart of this.
Virgin Care was previously awarded a five year contract to run community services across Surrey, This contract is due to expire in 2017.
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