Serco has been contracted to provide NHS community health services to 600,000 patients in Suffolk.
The service company will take over the provision of adult community services, specialist children’s services and community hospitals from NHS Suffolk by the autumn.
As the prime contractor, Serco will deliver services in partnership with South Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (SEPT), Marie Curie Cancer Care, Bedford Community Dental Services and University Hospital Birmingham. It will take on staff from the current NHS provider organisation, Suffolk Community Healthcare.
According to Serco, the company will employ “a unique model of delivery” to improve access to services for rural communities in Suffolk.
Dr Paul Watson, Chief Executive of NHS Suffolk, said: “Serco has provided us with a detailed proposal, giving rigorous evidence of its experience as a service provider and its vision and innovative plans for further improving our community services.”
“Over the coming years, primary care colleagues from across Suffolk will be working closely with Serco, NHS Suffolk and our acute hospital trusts so that we can make sure patients receive truly integrated, joined-up services,” said Dr Paul Bethell, a GP involved in the selection process.
Paul Forden, Serco’s Managing Director of Acute & Community Services, commented: “Our integrated model of care is possible by bringing together the best of the NHS, voluntary and private sector. We believe that our partnership approach brings the vision, expertise and capacity to make Community Health in Suffolk a truly exemplary service.”
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