Around 1,800 patients who may have been harmed by a health provider's mishandling of dermatology services are having their cases reviewed.

The Kent and Medway Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) is carrying out an independent review into delays for treatment for thousands of patients using services run by DMC Healthcare in north Kent.

The south London-based health provider was responsible for nine surgeries in Medway as well as skin condition services for other parts of Kent until July when it was stripped of its control of the £4.1 million a year contract.

Cllr Teresa Murray (Lab), said: "My argument was why did they get the contract when there was already problems with the GP contract?

"The CCG haven't been doing sufficient contract monitioring."

The CCG has identified 18 'serious incidents' among DMC's former dermatology patients.

Cllr Murray, who is deputy leader of the opposition, said it would take time to see what the outcomes for these patients - who are being cared for by emergency provider Sussex Community Dermatology Service (SCDS) - would be, and added: "Just one person being harmed is too many.

"The amount of chaos that DMC have caused, and they don't, at the moment, have to pay any penalty for it, and I don't think they are being particularly accountable for it."

Paula Wilkins, chief nurse at NHS Kent and Medway's CCG, said: “As you would expect, we have been prioritising caring for the patients who have been affected by the situation with DMC Healthcare.

“A review is being prepared looking at how the dermatology contract was procured and managed and we expect this to be published within the next few months.

"Patients who were at high risk were immediately identified and have been seen by the new temporary provider Sussex Community Dermatology Service.

"A review is also under way for some 1,800 patients who may have come to harm while under the care of DMC with moderating sessions currently being arranged; two teams of reviewers will be working simultaneously."

Last month it was revealed there were at least 18 serious incidents during DMC's tenure.

Councillors are due to discuss DMC's running of health services in the Towns at a full council meeting on Thursday, October 8.

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