Update on East Barnwell Health Centre
We understand how important access to local health and care services is to our communities, and our priority is to ensure that patients continue to have access to GP services and care both now and in the future.
Earlier this year, NHS Cambridgeshire & Peterborough ICB were notified by the current providers of GP services at East Barnwell Health Centre of their intention to resign from their current contract. This means the existing provider’s contract will end on 9 October 2024.
NHS Cambridgeshire & Peterborough have now undertaken a robust procurement process to identify a new provider of general practice services at East Barnwell Health Centre.
The procurement is now complete and subject to an official standstill period (5 – 16 September 2024) and there being no objections made, NHS Cambridgeshire & Peterborough intend to award an Alternative Provider Medical Services (APMS) contract to deliver primary medical services from East Barnwell Health Centre to Malling Health.
This new contract will start on 10 October 2024 and be for a period of seven years with the option to extend for up to a further three years.
Once the standstill period has passed, formal contracts will be finalised and patients will be sent a letter week commencing 16 September 2024.
We would like to reassure patients that there is no need to re-book any existing appointments and repeat prescriptions can be ordered as usual. Patients can continue to contact the practice as they do now via the existing number on 01223 728900 or via the practice website www.eastbarnwellhealthcentre.co.uk.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is happening?
Earlier this year, NHS Cambridgeshire & Peterborough ICB were notified by the current providers of GP services at East Barnwell Health Centre of their intention to resign from their current contract. This means the existing provider’s contract will end on 9 October 2024.
NHS Cambridgeshire & Peterborough have now undertaken a robust procurement process to identify a new provider of general practice services at East Barnwell Health Centre.
The procurement is now complete and subject to an official standstill period (5 – 16 September 2024) and there being no objections made, NHS Cambridgeshire & Peterborough intend to award an Alternative Provider Medical Services (APMS) contract to deliver primary medical services from East Barnwell Health Centre to Malling Health.
This new contract will start on 10 October 2024 and be for a period of seven years with the option to extend for up to a further three years.
Once the standstill period has passed, formal contracts will be finalised and patients will be sent a letter week commencing 16 September 2024.
We would like to reassure patients that there is no need to re-book any existing appointments and repeat prescriptions can be ordered as usual. Patients can continue to contact the practice as they do now via the existing number on 01223 728900 or via the practice website www.eastbarnwellhealthcentre.co.uk.
How are patients involved in the process?
We worked alongside Abbey People Community Group to recruit patient volunteers who formed part of the formal procurement and evaluation of prospective providers. Thank you to everyone who has volunteered to be part of the process and shared their views with us to date.
Will there be any changes to services available during the procurement process?
Your GP practice will continue to deliver the core and additional services that they do now. Please continue to access the practice as you do now and attend any appointment you have booked in as planned unless you are contacted and advised differently.
Will I need to re-register once a new provider is in place?
No, you will not need to do anything. The new provider will adopt our current systems and have access to all patient records. There are NHS safeguards in relation to patient confidentiality of information, and these will continue to remain in place.
Can I choose to register at a different practice?
If, for any reason, you want to change your GP practice, you will need to register as a new patient. You can find GP practices near you on the www.nhs.uk website. You will need to contact the GP practice you wish to be registered at directly.
Will there be any changes to how I book appointments or access the surgery?
If there are any changes to how you contact your GP practice, you will be notified and updated information will be available on the practice website.
I have appointments booked in over the next weeks/months – will these go ahead as planned?
Please continue to attend any appointment you have booked in as planned unless you are contacted and advised differently.
Who should I contact for further support?
You can contact the NHS Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Patient Experience Team for free via 0800 279 2535, or by emailing cpicb.pet@nhs.net. You can also visit the Patient Experience Team webpage to find more information.
Alternatively, if you wish to speak to an independent organisation, you can contact your local Healthwatch Team on 0330 355 1285 between the hours of 09:00 – 16:00 Monday to Thursday and 09:00 - 15:30 on Friday.
Healthwatch is an independent organisation that supports people to have a say when decisions are made about their healthcare services. You can find more information on the Healthwatch Cambridgeshire website.