Liberal Democrats demand better for Medway's GP Surgeries

Responding to the news that NHS Kent and Medway Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and DMC Healthcare have agreed to mutually terminate care contracts at GP practices across Medway. Liberal Democrats stress that any new provider should have an extensive background in healthcare and an exceptional track record of realising high quality services for patients at the practices that DMC managed.

We understand that in the meantime, emergency measures introduced by CCG mean the affected surgeries will remain open with Medway Practices Alliance (MPA) currently running GP services.
Vivienne Parker, Chair of Medway Liberal Democrats said "These are very serious shortcomings, clearly people's care needs are not being met and there has been a lack of clinical leadership at the highest level, over seeing a serious decline.

Patients should be assured that any new provider has extensive NHS experience and a track record that can deliver services at the affected practices. The priority now being to ensure continuity of care, with registered patients being able to continue to access GP services."

In light after the Care & Quality Commission (CQC) found DMC services to be inadequate, Liberal Democrats want assurances that DMC Church View, Rainham, the remaining GP practice in Medway operated by DMC has management structures in place to provide patients with a high level of service with policies and procedures to securing its long-term future.

There should be a focus on creating 'patient-centric' services at all practices in Medway, to dramatically improve patient outcomes and to make the improvements needed to protect patient safety. Medway demands better, Liberal Democrats demand better.

ENDS

Notes for Editors:

The affected surgeries are: St Werburgh Medical Practice, Hoo, and its branch surgeries in Lower Stoke and Yellow Suite at Balmoral Gardens Healthy Living Centre; St Mary's Island Surgery, Chatham, and its branch surgeries at Green Suite at Balmoral Gardens Healthy Living Centre, Twydall, the Pentagon Centre and the Sunlight Centre Surgery; and Kings Family Practice, Chatham. to keep patients up-to-date with on the CCG's website and social media channels.