Private firm blasted by doctors’ leaders for mishandling patient records and GP supplies
NHS England commissioned Capita to run the support service this year but the BMA said there had been “systematic failures”
DOCTORS’ leaders say a private firm handling patient records and supplies for GPs has made a string of blunders.
NHS England commissioned Capita to run the support service this year but the British Medical Association said “systematic failures” by the company could be putting patients’ safety at risk.
It said GPs had told the union there were serious problems with the management of records.
Doctors had also reported trouble with the supply of essential equipment such as prescription pads and syringes to GP practices.
Dr Chaand Nagpaul, boss of the BMA’s GP committee, said: “These mistakes are directly impacting on the ability of many GPs to provide safe, effective care to their patients.
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They are in some cases being left without the essential information they need to know about a new patient and the tools to treat them.”
Dr Nagpaul called on NHS bosses to intervene. He said: “NHS England is ultimately responsible for the chaos caused by trying to cut the cost of this essential service for practices by privatising it.
“We can see practices picking up the work and patients suffering.”