East Surrey social enterprise to 'go live' next month

In a statement last week, the primary care trust said: “In East Surrey the new social enterprise First Community Health and Care, arising from a right to request by the staff, continues to work towards a ‘go live’ date of 1 October.

“Although there is still work to be done before final arrangements are made, good progress continues to be made on the journey to fully separating Surrey Community Health from NHS Surrey,” it added.  

PCT chair David Clayton-Smith said: “I also offer my congratulations to everyone involved in the development of First Community Health and Care, as they continue to progress to becoming a social enterprise providing high quality care for patients in East Surrey.”

The venture in the east follows the creation in 2006 of Central Surrey Health, the first and most high profile health social enterprise.

The remainder of community services in the county look set to transfer to the independent provider Assura Medical in December, following a tendering process. The contract is worth around £450m.