Hospital unit to be run by Virgin Care

Virgin Care will be operating outpatient services for an initial period of three years from September.

But sources fear existing services will be downgraded.

A source, who wished not to be named, said: “The physiotherapy departments at both the Conquest and Bexhill Hospitals will become fragmented with significant numbers of long-serving physiotherapists being farmed out to GP practices in the area. The unit will therefore be dissolved.

“Radical changes will take place from September and one wonders if this is the beginning of privatisation by the back door.”

But a spokesman for NHS Sussex said patients will benefit from an improved service.

He said: “Virgin Care was selected by the Board of NHS Sussex following an open, transparent and rigorous tendering process in line with national guidelines.

“Around 14,000 patients per year are expected to use the service which will provide assessment and treatment for people with muscle and joint problems. “Other benefits are expected to include improved waiting times, more convenient opening hours and earlier access to diagnostic procedures.

“The service will also aim to bring care closer to home with services available from a number of community-based locations including GP practices across Hastings and Rother and Station Plaza Health Centre.”

He added services will be funded by the NHS and will continue to be free at the point of delivery.

Staff employed in the current service will transfer to Virgin Care and their current terms and conditions will be maintained, the spokesman said.

Claire Quigley, NHS Sussex executive director for Hastings and Rother, said: “The decision that Virgin Care will be the provider of community physiotherapy services in Hastings and Rother follows a tough procurement process.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank staff across East Sussex for the high quality, professional service they provide, and will continue to provide. The new service will bring that care into the community and closer to people’s homes.”

Bart Johnson, chief executive of Virgin Care, said: “We are delighted to be working with NHS Sussex and look forward to making a real difference to patient care in Sussex.

“We have a strong track record of providing NHS care. Since 2006, we have treated more than two million patients offering improved accessibility, convenience, satisfaction and, most importantly, our services have delivered improved health outcomes – all at a better rate for the taxpayer.”