GP Services for Island Medical Centre - FAQ

 

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1. What is happening at my GP surgery?

GP Practices aren’t managed directly by the NHS. Instead, NHS England appoints an organisation to manage your GP practice.  This can be run by a single GP; a group of GPs; a social enterprise or a private company.  The organisation that manages your GP practice employs the doctors, nurses and other staff who work there.

The contract with the current provider of GP services at your GP practice is due to end on 30th September 2025. As a result, NHS North East London is required to review the contract and put it out to a competitive process where a variety of providers (including Hurley Clinical Partnership, who currently supplies your GP service) can compete to run the surgery.

We will make sure that your GP services continue uninterrupted and you don’t need to do anything. However, if you would like to share your views on the services that you think should be provided by your GP practice we would love to hear from you. 

 

2. Why can’t my existing doctors continue to run the practice?

The contract to run the surgery covers a set period of time.  This enables NHS North East London to periodically check that the organisation appointed to provide services remains the best option for patients.

The current provider is aware of this and is encouraged to apply, through the formal selection process, to run the surgery again.  The law says that we must treat the current provider in the same way as any other GPs or organisations that may be interested in running the practice. 

 

3. How can I get involved?

Patients can share their views on their surgery in a number of ways:

  • by completing the questionnaire online
  • by completing a paper copy of the questionnaire (available from the surgery)
  • by attending a Patient Event at Island Medical Centre- Roserton Street, London E14 3PG on 6 November 2024 at 11am to 12pm and repeated online at 5pm to 6pm. 

This is an opportunity for you to let us know what you think needs to be improved as well as what currently works well.  Your views will help us to design a service that meets the needs of patients.

The online questionnaire is available until 18th November.  If you prefer, you can get a paper copy of the questionnaire from your GP surgery and return by 18th November. 

 

4. What arrangements are being made for patients whilst the procurement process is underway?

GP services for patients will continue before, during, and after this process and there is nothing you need to do.

 

5. If a different organisation is appointed will our surgery close?

No. Island Medical Centre will continue to provide GP services without a break.

 

6. What will happen to the doctors and practice staff?

Whatever the outcome of the procurement process, regulations exist to protect the employment of existing staff.  This includes any employed doctors, nurses, receptionists and administration staff. As a result, even if a new provider is chosen to provide the GP service, we would expect many of the doctors, nurses and other practice staff to remain at the surgery. However, as everyone else, they have the right to seek other employment should they not wish to remain.

 

7. Will there be any changes to the services offered at Island Medical Centre?

We will be seeking to make some changes to the services provided.  We will take into account patients’ views collected through the questionnaire advised in Q3 above.  Asking for patients’ views on the GP service that they currently receive is an important part of the process of putting together the new contract. We will look at the feedback received through the questionnaires and the Patient Event to take account of this.

You will be kept fully informed of any changes that will be made.

 

8. Do I need to do anything?

You do not need to do anything. GP services will continue to be provided at Island Medical Centre in the period leading up to, during and after this procurement process.

 

9. If I want to register at another practice, do I need to do this myself?

We hope that you will be happy to remain at Island Medical Centre but if you wish to change GP practice at any time you should contact the surgery of your choice and ask them to register you.  

You can find a surgery near you via the NHS website - Find a GP.

It has information about practices, including opening hours and patient satisfaction survey results. 

 

10. Who is NHS North East London?

NHS North East London is the local Integrated Care Board (ICB) with responsibility for the commissioning and management of health services within the North East London area. It is responsible for services across 7 boroughs: Barking & Dagenham, Havering, Redbridge, Waltham Forest, Newham, City & Hackney and Tower Hamlets.