July 21, 2016 12.01 pm This story is over 92 months old

Lincolnshire GP service provider asks NHS to take over four surgeries

A company brought in to manage four GP practices in Lincoln and Gainsborough just last year has asked the NHS to take over its contract due to financial difficulties. Universal Health Ltd was appointed by NHS England to run Arboretum Surgery on Monks Road, Burton Road Surgery, Metheringham Surgery, and Pottergate Surgery in Gainsborough in 2015.…
Arboretum Surgery off Monks Road in Lincoln. Photo: Google Street View

A company brought in to manage four GP practices in Lincoln and Gainsborough just last year has asked the NHS to take over its contract due to financial difficulties.

Universal Health Ltd was appointed by NHS England to run Arboretum Surgery on Monks Road, Burton Road Surgery, Metheringham Surgery, and Pottergate Surgery in Gainsborough in 2015.

These were the only four surgeries that the Louth-based company, set up as a joint venture between Lincolnshire and District Medical Services and Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, was operating.

But Universal Health has now requested that the NHS terminate its contract.

Lincolnshire Community Health Services NHS Trust (LCHS) will take over the management of the four practices from Monday, August 1.

The trust will manage the practices at least until December 16.

Sarah Newton, chief operating officer at NHS Lincolnshire West Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “We understand this may concern some patients but the CCG is absolutely committed to ensuring they can continue to access good-quality and local GP-led health services.

“We want to take people’s views into consideration and would therefore encourage them to come and air their views at any of our forthcoming events if they want to.”

Patients can attend any of the following drop-in sessions where staff will be on hand to listen to feedback on a one-to-one basis.

  • Arboretum Surgery – between 2pm and 5pm on Monday, July 25 at Teaching Room, YMCA Lincolnshire, St Rumbold’s Street, Lincoln, LN2 5AR
  • Burton Road Surgery – between 2pm and 5pm on Tuesday, July 26 at the Methodist Church, 175 Burton Road, Lincoln, LN1 3LW
  • Metheringham Surgery – between 10am and 1pm on Monday, July 25 at Lincolnshire Poacher, 53 High Street, Metheringham, Lincoln, LN4 3DZ
  • Pottergate Surgery – between 10am and 1pm on Tuesday, July 26 in Bay 4, Community Suite, John Coupland Hospital, Ropery Road, Gainsborough, DN21 2TJ