Tyne and Wear GP practice saved from closure by new APMS provider

A GP practice in Gateshead will continue to provide general practice services to patients after NHS Newcastle Gateshead CCG secured a new APMS provider.
 
CBC Health Ltd, formed by local practices in Gateshead, has been awarded a 10-year contract to deliver primary care services to 1,996 registered patients at Blaydon GP practice.
 
Patients will not need to take any action following the change of provider.
 
The practice was previously under another APMS contract delivered by Gateshead Community Based Care Ltd, initially in place until 30 June 2018, which could not be further extended due to procurement legislation.
 
A communication officer from the North of England Commissioning Support said the contract ‘was granted a further extension until 30 September to allow time for the procurement process to be conducted’.
 
‘Plan for the future with confidence’
 
The decision to find a new APMS provider got the go ahead after a NHS Newcastle Gateshead CCG’s consultation found that 96.9% of respondents preferred for the surgery to remain open.
 
NHS Newcastle Gateshead CCG medical director Dr Neil Morris said: ‘This is good news for patients, and good news for the practice who can now plan for the future with confidence.
 
‘Many patients felt strongly that they receive a high standard of care and I am pleased that we have been able to secure the service for the future.’
 
Established in 2006, CBC manages several practices in Gateshead, such as Grange Road Medical Practice and Crawcrook Medical Practice.
 
CBC Health chief executive Jill Mitchell said: ‘As a local GP organisation, we are delighted to have been awarded the contract for the Blaydon GP Practice and will continue to provide a high quality primary care service to patients.’