Arrangements have been finalised in the bid to secure alternate providers for GP services out of Moffat and Lockerbie.
In December, current providers Alba Medical Group gave notice on their NHS contract with effect from May 31 2023.
Deputy Medical Director Dr Grecy Bell said: “We currently have a limited period in which to secure alternate providers or, failing that, a then shorter period to try to establish continuing services under direct NHS Board management.
“And we know, from experience that, once a practice comes under direct Board management it can then be more challenging to get it re-established under an independent contractor – which is the preferred model seen across the UK.
“We’ve been advertising for expressions of interest, with a deadline of January 23, very much hoping we can attract a strong range of tenders.”
Dr Bell added: “Just like the communities served by the contracts, we’re hoping for a good outcome from this process.
“All energies should be directed towards encouraging the strongest range of interest in these contracts, and working to secure the best outcome over the next two weeks.”
A meeting will take place on January 23 for members of community councils in areas covered by the contracts who are interested in serving in the scoring process.
Training in the scoring will be provided, and those present will be asked to agree the two people who will serve on the seven-person scoring panel. The other members will include the Head of Primary Care Services, the Deputy Medical Director, a representative of Finance, and a non-executive member of the Dumfries and Galloway NHS Board.
On Tuesday, January 31, all serving members from community councils in areas served by the contracts are invited to attend presentations in Dumfries by any and all bidders.
All those present will then have an opportunity to discuss the presentations and to help inform the approaches of their representatives who will then fulfil their roles within the formal scoring process.
Dr Bell said: “We’ve aimed to make this process as open as possible, and to enable as much community involvement as we can within the boundaries of the National Procurement Policy.
“We don’t yet know what the outcome will be, with the first stage seeing what expressions of interest are received by January 23.
“Hopefully we will have a strong range of providers interested in taking on these contracts, and that together we see them taken on and fulfilled in a way that best meets the needs of these communities.”
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