New management set to take over Tottenham GP surgery after concerns over US ownership

Local residents and councillors had recently raised worries of ownership of St Ann’s Road Surgery, reports Grace Howarth, Local Democracy Reporter

Tottenham NHS campaigners, including Labour councillor Tammy Hymas (second from right)

A Tottenham GP surgery which recently gained attention due to its US parent company changing hands before local NHS bosses had given authorisation will now get new management.

NHS North Central London Integrated Care Board (ICB) has taken the decision to find an alternative provider for St Ann’s Road Surgery, with the news being welcomed by patients.

St Ann’s ward councillor Tammy Hymas, who is also a patient at the surgery, said: “I welcome this important step by the ICB that puts patients first.

“After years of declining standards of care, it is clear the experiment in selling off GPs to big business has failed.

“I will continue to fight for healthcare that is publicly funded, publicly provided and accountable to patients. That’s what the residents of St Ann’s deserve from their NHS.”

Operose Health Ltd, which operated St Ann’s Road Surgery and underwent a change of parent company, will remain operating the surgery for the next nine-to-twelve months while the ICB procures a new provider.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service understands Operose’s contract was also ending at the time the decision was made to change management.

However, issues with management have been receiving attention. In a report from an ICB primary care committee this month, members approved the “issuance of a breach notice” to St Ann’s Road Surgery “for enacting a change of control without prior authorisation from the ICB”.

The report stated: “This was deemed as a serious breach of contract, due to failure to comply with the due diligence governance process and failure to notify the ICB for three months.”

In response the director of operations (London) for Operose Health, Danielle Caswell, said: “We are delighted to assist the local NHS by continuing to operate St Ann’s Road Surgery for up to an additional year.

“GP access at the surgery is good as we continue to provide above our contract requirements for GP appointments, and we look forward to continuing to work with the NHS and thank the practice team for all of their hard work.”

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