Official Press Release:
From 1st October 2022 the management responsibilities of Upper Eden Medical Practice will be provided by Cumbria Health on Call Ltd (CHoC) to ensure continuity of care for patients.
CHoC has been awarded this one year contract to allow the North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB) to carry out a longer-term procurement process for services at the practice, following the difficult decision made by the GP Partners at the practice to return their contract due to ongoing GP recruitment issues.
CHoC is working closely with the management team at the practice to ensure a smooth transition for staff and successful mobilisation of the new contract and patients have now been informed of this update via letter.
CHoC are a not-for-profit social enterprise organisation. As well as delivering out of hours GP services across Cumbria, CHoC also provide primary care services across Cumbria and are experienced in providing local GP services. CHoC manage other GP practices in the area and currently hold contracts for Alston, Glenridding & Windermere & Bowness Practices.
Susan Blakemore, Chief Executive of CHoC, said: “We are happy to support the Upper Eden Medical Practice team with this contract. This is a further opportunity to work in partnership with another practice team in North Cumbria to continue to provide our community with outstanding primary care services. The challenges faced in general practice are close to our heart as a provider of primary care services across Cumbria.”
This change at Upper Eden Medical Practice has taken place due to the practice facing chronic difficulties with GP recruitment. This is also a national issue that many practices across the UK are facing.
There are a growing number of models being developed and delivered to sustain primary care services that reduces the pressure of management responsibilities on GP partners. There are also a number of initiatives currently in place across the North East and North Cumbria to further support these serious challenges.
Dr Neil O’Brien, medical director for the North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board said: “Across the region we have a range of initiatives in place to attract and retain more GPs to the area – including North Cumbria. When it comes to attracting the next generation of doctors to the region we have our Find Your Place campaign which encourages medical trainees to choose our region for their GP training. We also have the new medical school at the University of Sunderland which has a particular focus on general practice.
“We are also looking at innovative ways of working which includes developing new specialist roles within primary care teams which in turn frees up the time of GPs and ensures patients get the timely access to care from other specialists. As well as North Cumbria Workforce Bank which enables our GP workforce to work more flexibly and remotely. Whilst we recognise GP recruitment is both a national and local challenge, we would like to reassure people this continues to be a key priority and focus for us.”
Ed Tallis, Director of Place for North Cumbria added: “We would like to thank all our patients for their ongoing support and understanding at this challenging time for primary care. CHoC are incredibly experienced so this a good match for the practice at this time. GP recruitment continues to be one of our main priorities in North Cumbria and we will always ensure that continuity of patient care is at the forefront of any decisions made to support practices.”
FAQS
Is my practice closing down?
No. The Practice faces GP recruitment issues (as have many practices across the UK) and consequently the GP Partners felt the best option to preserve the standard of care for patients was to return their GMS contract. The one year contract will ensure continuity of services, with Cumbria Health on Call providing additional management support and helping to strengthen the clinical workforce, so that a longer-term procurement process for services at the practice can take place.
Will this change how I make my appointments?
No. The team at the Upper Eden Medical Practice continues to offer a range of appointment options for patients including face to face appointments, telephone and e-consultations, remote pharmacist support and home visits where appropriate.
Will I still get my medication from the practice?
Yes, you can continue to use the dispensary as you have always done. The prescription delivery service also continues to be available for those patients who are eligible. Full details are available on the Practice website.
What if I want to move to another practice?
You still have the option to choose to move to another practice if you want to. You can find more information here: www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/gps/how-to-register-with-a-gp-surgery
Will the services on offer change?
Not in the short term. However in the longer term, there may be the possibility of offering a wider varierty of services if different types of clinicians are able to link into the surgery.
I know Cumbria Health on Call (CHoC) run the out of hour GP services for Cumbria but do they know about running a GP practice?
CHOC has been running the practice at Glenridding for several years, and has recently taken on the Windermere and Bowness Practice at Goodly Dale and Alston Practice. The team are very supportive and understanding of the challenges of delivering primary care services particularly in rural communities.
What else are they doing about recruitment and capacity?
The Practice management team are working closely with CHoC to recruit more GP's and supporting clinicians in order to maintain continuity of care for patients and return the practice to normal staffing levels as soon as possible.