Patient services moved as GP surgery provider folds

A GP federation which provides services in West Sussex has ceased trading.

NHS Sussex said it was told about the closure of Innovations in Primary Care (IPC) on 27 September.

A statement on the company's website said it is "currently taking advice on winding up and planning for liquidation".

NHS Sussex said some services have been transferred to other providers and that "immediate action" has been taken to maintain urgent treatment centre services at St Richard’s Hospital, in Chichester, and Worthing Hospital "for this weekend and beyond".

A message on IPC's phone number said: "We are working as quickly as we are able to ensure that information is shared and implications are understood in order of priority, prioritising patient safety and the wellbeing of our staff."

The treatment centres at St Richard's and Worthing hospitals have been taken over by a neighbouring GP federation, Alliance for Better Care.

Hampshire-based IPC also provided evening and weekend appointments for five primary care networks (PCNs) in West Sussex.

NHS Sussex said in a statement: "We have been working with the PCNs who were directly supported with these appointments and alternative arrangements are now in place to continue these clinics.

"Some patients last weekend were advised to rebook their appointments and these are being supported through the patient’s individual GP practice."

Around 40 staff have been moved to Alliance for Better Care, with NHS Sussex working with individual GP practices to try and keep others employed.

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