THE failure of a local consortium to win the chance to set up a walk-in GP health centre in Hereford has been criticised.

The contract to provide the new NHS service later this year has been awarded to Primecare, a private company which has been responsible for delivering the out-of-hours service in Herefordshire for the last five years.

One of the bidders to lose out was a consortium made up of Hereford Hospitals Trust, some Hereford GPs and a group from Shropshire.

In a letter to the Hereford Times Sheila Harvey, from Vowchurch, said there was big disappointment at Herefordshire Primary Care Trust’s decision to choose a private company based in Birmingham and not support the local NHS bid.

Mrs Harvey has been a public member of Hereford Hospitals Trust for two years.

She claimed many members had expressed concern about the PCT choice of provider for health care from outside the county.

“Herefordshire’s own NHS health providers could employ the extra staff and supply the necessary facilities required to develop and manage a GP-led walk-in health centre that would integrate more smoothly with the present provision of primary and secondary care without underminding the confidence and reputation of Hereford NHS employees,” she said.

In a statement, the PCT said the choice had been made in line with European procurement best practice.

“Primecare was identified as the preferred provider on merit and has already provided out-of-hours services in Herefordshire for five years,” it said.

“The new contract has clear performance requirements to ensure local people get an excellent service.

“NHS Herefordshire continues to recognise the high standard health care provided by Hereford Hospitals Trust and local GPs and will continue to work with and support all elements of the local health economy, including non-NHS providers where it is appropriate to do so.”

Chief executive Martin Woodford confirmed the County Hospital consortium bid for the GP walk-in-centre at the hospital was unsuccessful In a report for a board meeting of the trust next Monday, he said the PCT had requested the trust work with Primecare to implement a solution at the County Hospital.

“A more detailed discussion of this issue is scheduled for the private board meeting because of its commercially sensitive nature,” he said.