CCG terminates community services contract with York

The trust agreed with Hambleton, Richmondshire and Whitby Clinical Commissioning Group that the existing contract, which began in 2011, “does not support the wider vision for providing healthcare in ways which best meet patients’ needs”.

A tendering process is due to begin shortly. A formal re-procurement process could take up to two years to complete, and York will continue to provide services in the interim period. Community services in Hambleton and Richmondshire are unaffected by the announcement and remain with York.

Trust chief executive Patrick Crowley said: “The local landscape has changed significantly for both organisations, and through changing circumstances we have found ourselves working together on Whitby.

“The re-tendering of the contract does not rule out York’s future involvement in Whitby, but we recognise that the successful future of services is not wholly dependent on us being the provider.”

CCG deputy chair George Campbell said of the trust: “We are looking forward to continuing to work with them over the next couple of years to continue providing the best health services for local people.

“We remain fully committed to a hospital in Whitby and health services being provided from that site, and throughout the procurement process and to redeveloping the hospital.”

The services were transferrred to the trust from North Yorkshire and York Primary Care Trust under the transforming community services programme. The transfer agreement was for a period of three years although the CCG’s governing body has agreed to extend this to facilitate the procurement.