On The Wight understands that the Isle of Wight NHS Trust have lost the contract to provide healthcare services to the Island prisons.
The NHS National Commissioning Board have awarded the HMP Isle of Wight contract to a private company, Harmoni, who claims to be the largest provider of Primary Care Services in UK.
Awaiting response from SHIP Cluster
Yesterday we asked the IW NHS Trust if there would be an impact on NHS jobs on the Island, but they referred us to SHIP PCT Cluster, who were responsible for tendering for the contract.
The SHIP PCT Cluster is made up of Southampton City PCT, Hampshire PCT, Isle of Wight PCT, Portsmouth City PCT.
They are hoping to get a formal response to us later today, which we’ll update here.
Job impact uncertain
Currently there are NHS staff working at HMP Isle of Wight, including nurses, pharmacy staff and administrators.
Given the lack of response from IW NHS, it’s unclear how much of an impact on people being employed by the Island NHS this news will have.
Our thoughts go out to all those who will be affected.
Loss of other services
Since March 2012 some diagnosis of prisoners medical problems is already being carried out remotely by the Airedale NHS Foundation Trust in the Yorkshire Dales using tele-medicine.
Response from LINk
The Isle of Wight Local Involvement Network’s (LINk) vice-chair, Paddy Noctor said, “The Isle of Wight LINk was saddened to hear last week that on top of the closure of Camp Hill, that the NHS provider had lost out on the prison healthcare tender to a large private provider, we have been waiting for the official statement from SHIP before giving our response.
“The LINk has been working with the prison healthcare team to try and improve communication about and raise the profile of the excellent services that the provider has developed at the three sites.
“The LINk would like re-assurances from the new provider – Harmoni, part of Care UK, that it commits to continuing this work and that appropriate protocols will be put in place to ensure seamless services are provided for those treatments which take place at St Mary’s.
“We do have concerns about potential impact on staff in the prison healthcare team and potential impact on the local health economy as the award of this significant contract paves the way for other private providers to gain a foothold.”
Update 13.03: Following publication of this article, we received the following press release from SHIP PCT Cluster, confirming the contract has been awarded to Harmoni.
Harmoni awarded prison healthcare services on Island
A contract to provide prison healthcare services on the Isle of Wight has been awarded to Harmoni HS Ltd, part of Care UK, starting on 1 April 2013.
The contract is for an initial three year period, with the option to extend it by a further two 12 month periods.
Harmoni will provide in-house GP services and primary care, mental health, pharmacy, physiotherapy, optometry and podiatry services to HMP Isle of Wight – Parkhurst and Albany. Camp Hill will be closed this year following an announcement by the Ministry of Justice last week.
It will also staff an inpatient healthcare unit within the Albany site, enabling prisoners to receive care for physical, mental health and substance misuse treatments.
The contract was awarded in the name of Isle of Wight Primary Care Trust (PCT), part of the Southampton, Hampshire, Isle of Wight and Portsmouth (SHIP) PCT Cluster.
However, as part of the wider NHS reorganisation offender health becomes the responsibility of the NHS Commissioning Board from 1 April, with HMP Isle of Wight forming part of the Thames Valley Local Area Team’s responsibilities.
The current service provider is the Isle of Wight NHS Trust, a separate trust to the PCT that awarded the contract, which will continue providing services for the prison population until 31 March. It was among a shortlist of three tenders, evaluated by a panel that measured against set criteria, scoring for quality, innovation and cost effectiveness.
Dr Stuart Ward, Medical Director for the SHIP PCT Cluster, said: “The tender process began in June last year, and has been subject to a robust evaluation process by a multi-disciplinary panel. We’re confident Harmoni will build on the already very good work of the Isle of Wight NHS Trust.
“We acknowledge the concerns and anxiety that can arise during periods of change, but would like to extend our thanks to all staff affected, and remain assured of their continued hard work, dedication and professionalism.”
Dr James Whitticase, Medical Director for the Health Care Division, Care UK, said: “We are delighted to have been awarded the contract to provide healthcare services to HMP Isle of Wight and are committed to providing a high quality service for patients and our commissioners.”
Andy Lattimore, Governor of HMP Isle of Wight, said: “Healthcare provision is a critical part of our work with offenders. I look forward to working in partnership with Harmoni as the new provider to ensure the health needs of our population are met.”
