8:00am Tuesday 21st April 2009
A MEDICAL centre in Southend has been plunged into uncertainty because of the recession.
Chilvers McCrea Healthcare has terminated its contract to run the Pier Medical Centre, which has surgeries in Northumberland Avenue, and at the Elmer Approach, Essex University site.
The company’s chief executive, Dr Sarah Chilvers, said: “Due to the current economic climate and matters beyond our control, it is not sustainable for Chilvers McCrea to carry on the contract to manage the Pier Medical Practice.
“We feel it would serve the practice best if we handed it over to a provider who is financially better placed to continue offering the excellent service that has been implemented to date.
“We will do everything to ensure the transition is very smooth.”
“We wish to reassure patients that they will not be affected in any way by these changes.”
Primary care trust NHS South East Essex said Chilvers McCrea’s notice period runs until February 2010 and they will be looking for a new provider until then.
Katherine Kirk, trust chairman, said: “We are very disappointed Chilvers McCrea has needed to take this decision.
“However, we wish to reassure patients services will remain unchanged and will continue to be delivered from both sites by Chilvers McCrea for the remainder of its contract.
“We are fortunate we have until February 2010 to put plans in place to ensure high quality GP services continue to be provided from both surgeries.
“We will be writing to patients shortly to explain what’s happening and we will continue to keep them involved during the coming months.”
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