The ongoing saga surrounding Withnell Health Centre in Lancashire has captured the attention of the community as the fate of Dr. Ann Robinson, a beloved GP, hangs in the balance. Dr. Robinson, who has served as the lead GP at the Railway Road facility since 2013, has found herself at the center of a contentious dispute over the management of the health center. The turmoil began when the partnership with another doctor at the surgery dissolved in 2021, prompting county NHS bosses to initiate a process to award a new contract for the operation of the health center.
Since then, the situation has been marked by twists and turns, with the controversy escalating when an initial decision to award the contract to conglomerate SSP Health in January 2023 was met with public outcry from patients. Allegations of flaws in the consultation process led to a public backlash, forcing health bosses to backtrack and restart the tender award process. The uncertainty surrounding the management of Withnell Health Centre has left patients and staff alike on edge, unsure of what the future holds for the facility that plays a crucial role in the community’s healthcare landscape.
Throughout this tumultuous period, Dr. Robinson has remained a steadfast figure, dedicated to providing quality care to her patients despite the uncertainty surrounding her tenure at the health center. With her interim deal to run the surgery set to expire in September, Dr. Robinson faces an uncertain future, unsure of whether she will be able to continue serving her community in the capacity she has grown accustomed to over the years.
The latest development in the saga comes from the Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board’s (ICB) primary care commissioning committee, which has recommended launching a new procurement exercise to determine the future management of Withnell Health Centre. This decision has cast further uncertainty over Dr. Robinson’s future at the health center, leaving her and her supporters disheartened and frustrated by the lack of clarity surrounding the situation.
Dr. Robinson’s supporters, including patients and staff members, have rallied behind her, advocating for her to be awarded the management deal and expressing their unwavering support for her leadership at Withnell Health Centre. They cite her dedication, expertise, and the exemplary service provided under her management as reasons why she should be allowed to continue in her role.
Despite the setback, Dr. Robinson remains hopeful that the option of directly awarding her the contract could still be considered by the ICB if they were “prepared to be a bit braver.” She points to the high patient satisfaction scores and extensive feedback from patients as evidence of the health center’s outstanding performance under her leadership.
In response to the committee’s decision, Prof Craig Harris, ICB chief operating officer, defended the choice to opt for a competitive procurement process, emphasizing the need for equity, fairness, and public involvement in the evaluation. However, health center campaigner Louise France criticized the procurement process, arguing that it favors big businesses over small independent teams like Dr. Robinson’s NHS practice.
France highlighted the financial burden of professional bids for the procurement process and raised concerns about patient engagement, accusing the ICB of disregarding patients’ voices throughout the ordeal. The campaign group plans to appeal to the Health Secretary directly, urging intervention to address the matter and remove the ICB from the process, signaling a continued battle for the future of Withnell Health Centre and the livelihood of Dr. Ann Robinson.