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NHS Provider Praised Amidst Operational Hiccups
27 Nov
Summary
- New provider HealthHero praised for 'can do attitude' by NHS STW.
- Licensing delays and staff shortages caused initial operational issues.
- Patients reported positive feedback despite system and staffing challenges.
A new provider for NHS STW services has earned praise for its proactive approach despite encountering several initial hurdles. Dr. Lorna Clarson, NHS STW's chief medical officer, highlighted the provider's 'can do attitude' while noting that measures were in place to maintain patient access to essential drugs.
Organisations providing out-of-hours GP services require a Home Office controlled-drugs licence. The process can take at least six months, and the new provider faced further complexities, including a reduced number of staff transferring and numerous last-minute shift cancellations. A technical issue also impacted information flow between GPs and the new service.
Despite these operational challenges, including licensing visit bookings for early December, the health commissioning body reported positive patient feedback. Leadership expressed strong confidence, stating the provider has been 'incredible' and that the service is expected to continue flourishing.
