NHS bosses deny threat to accident and emergency services

The CCG has handed a £235m contract for Musculoskeletal (MSK) services to BupaCSH Ltd.

The news has raised concerns the contract will affect accident and emergency services at St Richards and Worthing Hospitals.

“Coastal West Sussex CCG is concerned about the speculation around the future of the local accident and emergency departments, which will cause understandable worry for our communities. There is no intention to destabilise these services. Our preferred provider wishes to work with the local hospital to deliver musculoskeletal services from next January.

“The CCG has been clear throughout the procurement process that trauma services were not part of this contract and would remain unaffected. This is specified in the invitation to tender that was published on the CCG website in June this year and stated that ‘the CWS CCG will continue to commission MSK related trauma from the current providers and the intention is for this to continue for the duration of this MSK ICS contract period. The prime provider service will closely collaborate and will need to ensure integrated working with current trauma service providers’.

“The award of a contract tendered under the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU), encourages a ten day standstill period to allow for challenge from the unsuccessful bidders and that during this time the successful bidder should not make contact with future partners in the service.

“Bupa CSH Ltd will be talking with providers about the future service as a matter of urgency, but cannot do so until the standstill period ends at midnight on Monday, September 15.”

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