Let’s Talk - Primary Care in Sutton and surrounding areas

We understand how important local access to health and care services is to our communities.  

In April 2023, Malling Health became the interim contract holder to provide primary care services to the patients of Priors Field Surgery in Sutton. Malling Health has now held a caretaker contract to provide primary care services from Priors Field Surgery for 18 months, and will continue to do so until 31 March 2025. 

Whilst we are pleased that a caretaker contract has been in place to ensure patients could continue to access primary care services in Sutton in the short term, we want to ensure that people in and around Sutton can continue to access GP services at Priors Field Surgery in the long term. That’s why we’ve run a full procurement process for a new ten-year contract to provide GP services from Priors Field Surgery, with potential for a five-year extension. 

We have now identified a preferred provider following a rigorous procurement process. Subject to a standstill period of eight working days and there being no representations made during this time, we intend to award the Alternative Provider Medical Services (APMS) contract to St Mary’s Surgery. 

Public Feedback

As promised at the public meetings, we have compiled a Let's Talk Sutton - Public Engagement Report. The report shares the feedback received from local people, highlighting the key themes of conversation and shares the next steps. The Priors Field Surgery's PPG Healthcare Summary Report is also available.

 

How you can have your say…

Thank you to everyone who has shared views and questions with us so far. We’re still keen to hear about what is most important to you and your community, and how we can look to shape services to meet local needs.

Primary care services are about so much more than just your local GP. It is about the wider range of roles and services provided within primary care, such as specialist nurses, pharmacists, physiotherapists, social prescribers, paramedics, and midwives, and how we look to deliver these services in the future. 

That's why we're keen to set up a Reference Group for this work with local people who are experts in healthcare services, planning and buildings, community engagement, wellbeing and children and young people’s services. We’ll also share information on our website and work alongside the PPG and local councillors to ensure we are reaching all of our local communities. 

If you would like to share your thoughts for Sutton and surrounding areas, or find out more about the Reference Group, then please email us at cpicb.letstalk@nhs.net  

Priors Field Surgery - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is happening? 

We want to ensure that people in and around Sutton can continue to access GP services at Priors Field Surgery in the long term. That’s why we’ve run a full procurement process for a new ten-year contract to provide GP services from Priors Field Surgery, with potential for a five-year extension. 

We have now identified a preferred provider following a rigorous procurement process. Subject to a standstill period of eight working days and there being no representations made during this time, we intend to award the Alternative Provider Medical Services (APMS) contract to St Mary’s Surgery. 

What is a standstill period? 

A standstill period is the legally required period between the point where we announce our intention to award a contract to a preferred provider, and the point where we actually award the contract. The standstill period will last eight working days. 

What will happen after the standstill period? 

If no representations are made during the standstill period, we will write to all patients registered with Priors Field Surgery to confirm the provider who will be providing GP services from this location from 1 April 2025 onwards. We will share more information with patients after the standstill period concludes to help answer any queries. 

Who can I contact for further information or support?  

You can contact the NHS Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Patient Experience Team who will support you, on cpicb.pet@nhs.net   

Alternatively, 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. The feedback it collects is anonymous and it also has an information and signposting service. You can find more information on its website: https://www.healthwatchcambridgeshire.co.uk/