Takeover of GP surgery 'concerning'
Campaigners are holding a tug-of-war to highlight what they say is the threat to a community-run, non-profit GP surgery in Brighton from a private company.
The Whitehawk surgery is currently run by the Wellsbourne Healthcare Community Interest Company, but it could be handed over to Leeds-based One Medical Group after NHS Sussex started procuring for a new contract.
NHS Sussex said it could not comment on the procurement process as it was still under way.
Janet Sang, part of Sussex Defend NHS, said the campaign group was "extremely concerned" that an "effective and well-loved GP service" could be transferred to a profit-making entity.
"We believe this is... not in the best interests of the people of Whitehawk," she added.
One Medical Group, which said it had more than two decades of experience in "delivering high-quality primary care services across the UK", said it could not comment as the procurement process was ongoing.
It added it had "consistently delivered [NHS services] to the highest standard across diverse demographics".
"We pride ourselves on.... our collaborative approach with local communities, ensuring that healthcare is both reflective and responsive to local needs," it continued.
NHS Sussex said it needed to procure a new contract for running the doctor's surgery, which serves around 8,300 people, as the current one has expired.
It said the new contract had been designed to meet the needs of the local population in what it called one of the most deprived areas in Sussex.
Wellsbourne Healthcare CIC took over the GP surgery several years ago after the previous private provider walked away, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
Anger over uncertain future of GP surgery
Brighton & Hove City Councillor David McGregor, who said he planned to attend the tug-of-war event, said the Wellsbourne Healthcare CIC had done a "fantastic job" and NHS Sussex should "reconsider".
Chris Ward, Labour MP for Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven, has started a petition - titled Save Wellsbourne Healthcare - that has more than 3,000 signatures as of 5 June.
Sarah Webb, business manager at Wellsbourne Healthcare CIC, previously urged NHS Sussex to talk to the people of Whitehawk.
"Listen to residents," she told BBC Radio Sussex in May.
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