by Graham Tutthillgtutthill@thekmgroup.co.uk

A Dover woman is organising a petition after she discovered that the services provided by her GP are being put out to tender.

Letters should have been sent to all the patients at the Dover Medical Practice in Maison Dieu Road, but Susan Fox said she, for one, didn’t receive one.

She has written to Health Secretary Andrew Lansley and Dover and Deal MP Charlie Elphicke to complain about the way the issue has been handled.

The Kent Community Health NHS Trust, which currently provides the services at the medical practice, has served notice on this contract and a new provider is being sought.

The trust says that patients should not notice any difference.

But Ms Fox fears the medical centre is being privatised and says that is likely to result in profits for shareholders being put before an effective, efficient service for patients.

And she is also concerned that patients have been given very short notice of a meeting on Thursday, July 14, when they can ask questions and put their views. The meeting is from 9am to noon, and Ms Fox says that is not convenient for people who are working.

She has discovered the meeting is being held while the practice manager is on holiday.

"I protest at the changes that Kent Community Health NHS Trust is forcing on me," said Ms Fox.

"I have received an excellent standard of care from all the dedicated staff at this surgery since registering nearly six years ago on my move to Dover. Any change imposed on me by the trust does not guarantee it will continue."

Liz Mears, Associate Director of Primary Care at NHS Eastern and Coastal Kent, said that involving patients in choosing a new provider was essential and they welcomed their views.

"The selection process we are using is laid down by the Department of Health and is open, transparent and involves equal treatment of all parties.

"We have written to every patient household so that their views and concerns can be taken into consideration. Patients have the opportunity to write, telephone or email, whichever is most convenient.

"Representatives of the PCT will also be visiting the practice between 9am and 12pm on July 14. Patients can drop in at any time if they would prefer to talk to someone directly. This session has been arranged working closely with the practice manager.

"Whoever is chosen to run the practice from December will continue to provide NHS services from the same premises and all permanently employed staff have the right and the opportunity to continue working there if they wish.

"We are also working closely with Kent Community Health NHS Trust to ensure that there will be a smooth handover to the new provider.

"If any patient has questions or concerns we would appreciate them getting in touch.

"We are committed to working closely with everyone involved in Dover Medical practice to provide high quality GP services for patients."

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