Is a peaceful resolution possible in Surrey contract conflict?
Central Surrey Health (CSH) has begun legal proceedings against North Surrey Downs Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) over a £100m community services contract.
In February, Surrey Downs CCG awarded a three-year contract (with a possible two-year extension) for the provision of adult social care from October 2018 to a group of organisations, the Integrated Dorking, Epsom and East Elmbridge Alliance. IDEEA is led by Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust and included CSH, and three GP federations.
After discussions in July about governance and operational responsibilities, it appeared that the contract would be delivered without CSH.
However, CSH has now launched legal action under the Public Contracts Regulations 2015, claiming that it was marginalised.
According to an interview in Health Service Journal (HSJ), the conflicts related to which body held the formal CQC registration; clinical control and leadership of workforce; and IT systems.
CSH is a community healthcare social enterprise that has been running health services since 2006 on a not-for-profit basis.
Further information
HSJ: Company takes legal action over £100m integration contract
CSH Surrey: Statement on legal action against NHS Surrey Downs CCG