Provision of continued General Medical Services (GMS) for Bluebell Surgery patients

Bluebell Surgery (F81746) is a single handed general medical practice in the Highwoods area of Colchester. The sole partner served the required 3 months' notice on the GMS contract on 16 January 2024. Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care Board (the Authority) has delegated responsibility to ensure continuity of primary medical services for Bluebell Surgery's registered patient list. There is a significant risk that there will be no provision of primary medical services, jeopardising the health and well-being of patients (to a potentially fatal degree). Therefore this contract needs to be placed urgently. The Authority therefore has an urgent need for the provision of continued general medical services forming part of this contract and cannot be left without a provider. The contract duration will be for an initial 1 year, starting on 1.5.2024, with the option to extend by a further year. The maximum contract duration will be 2 years. The value of the contract being offered for the scope of services for the 1-year contract period is £423,099. The aggregate value of the contract (including extension provision of 1 year) is £846,198. Given the nature of business modelling involved and the associated resource implications for the potential provider it is necessary for the contingency contract to be for a maximum 24 months, in order for this to be a financially viable proposition. Otherwise the costs of a short-term contract would be prohibitive and would potentially negatively impact on health care.