6:30am Wednesday 21st October 2009
PATIENTS at a troubled medical centre in Southend say things are slowly improving, despite having no permanent GP.
The Pier Medical Centre is currently staffed by nurses on temporary contracts and locum doctors.
It has been run by NHS South East Essex since private firm ChilversMcCrea pulled out of its contract in July this year.
Patients were unhappy about a lack of continuity with doctors.
However, Karen Raymer, chairman of the surgery’s patient group, said: “The service is so much better than it was, but not 100 per cent perfect. There’s still a shadow over the staff because until a new provider comes along they have no permanent contract and we still don’t have a permanent GP.
“At least there are now fewer locums covering, so you may see a doctor on a more regular basis.”
The surgery will not have a new provider until February. Ian Stidston, deputy director of commissioning and contracting at the trust, said: “Until this time NHS South East Essex will continue to manage the service through its own provider arm – Community Healthcare.”
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