NHS England (Cheshire and Merseyside) is pleased to announce that Urgent Care 24 (UC24) has been appointed as the new providers of general practice services for five practices in south Sefton.

Following a rigorous open procurement process which adheres to national guidance, the healthcare commissioner has evaluated the bids received and has selected the successful provider.

Anthony Leo, Director of Commissioning for NHS England – North (Cheshire and Merseyside), said, “We are delighted that Urgent Care 24 (UC24) has been awarded the contract to provide general practice services across the south Sefton area. 

“Urgent Care 24 (UC24) is a social enterprise that follows NHS values and principles.  They have a track record of successfully delivering NHS services and can demonstrate a true understanding of our vision for the future sustainability of primary care services.  They will deliver a quality service for our local community. 

“Although this is a change in the provider, patients will continue to receive safe, quality treatment and care during this period of transition.” 

NHS England (Cheshire and Merseyside) has been working with NHS South Sefton Clinical Commissioning Group and local GPs to put new, long term arrangements in place. 

The new contracts will begin on 1 April 2017. Urgent Care 24 (UC24) has been awarded contracts to run five of the seven practices which were out to open tender. 

These practices are Crosby Village Surgery, Crossways Practice and Thornton Practice – which will be operated as a group of practices at their current locations by one provider.  This fits with the vision set out in the NHS Five Year Forward View of larger practices that can offer improved services to their patients and provide stability for the future.  

Litherland Practice and Seaforth Village Surgery, as in Crosby, will be operated as a single practice but they will continue to operate in their existing premises. Patients will be able to continue to access the same services that they receive currently and may also benefit from some additional flexibility as a result of a single provider delivering services across the two sites.  

Kate Lucy, Chief Executive, Urgent Care 24 said “I am delighted that Urgent Care 24 has been appointed as the new providers of GP services for the five south Sefton practices. At Urgent Care 24, we aim to provide consistently high quality, safe, caring and effective services and this will continue as we begin to work closely with local staff, patients and partners to deliver primary care services in Sefton.”  

Mr Leo added, “There are two practices, Netherton Practice and Maghull Practice, which were part of the open procurement which we have not yet been able to appoint a permanent provider at this stage.”  

“We will be making arrangements to ensure services can continue until a new provider is appointed. This will ensure that patients can continue to receive high quality primary care services while we make longer term arrangements and patients will be able access services at their practice as normal.” 

NHS England (Cheshire and Merseyside) and NHS South Sefton Clinical Commissioning Group are committed to open and regular communications throughout to ensure local people and stakeholders are informed and kept up to date regarding this process.