Update on Lyme Regis Medical Centre

This page will contain updates the tendering process for the permanent contract for services in Lyme Regis. 

The latest documents are available from the downloads section of this page.

Patients can continue to book appointments as usual on the same telephone number 01297 445777, and can continue to access services in the same way as they do now.   

25 September 2012

Virgin Care announced as preferred provider at Lyme Regis Medical Centre

NHS Dorset is pleased to announce that Virgin Care has been awarded status of preferred provider for the medical and community services at Lyme Regis Medical Centre on Uplyme Road, Lyme Regis.

The recommendation to award preferred provider status for the APMS (Alternative Provider Medical Services) contract was made by the Primary Care Trust’s Lyme Regis Medical Centre Procurement Project Team and was approved by the Board of NHS Dorset following a competitive, robust and open bidding process.

Virgin Care was selected as preferred provider based on a range of criteria, at the heart of which was their ability to provide high quality services that meet patients need.

During the period December 2011 – March 2012 views were sought from local people and organisations about what they wanted from healthcare in the area.

A report on findings from this engagement is available from the following websites 

• NHS Dorset http://www.dorset.nhs.uk/getinvolved/lyme-regis.htm
• Lyme Regis Medical Centre www.lymeregismedicalcentre.nhs.uk
• Lyme Forward http://www.lymeforward.co.uk 

The Primary Care Trust used the findings in the tender process to emphasise the importance of health services to local people. 

Bart Johnson, Chief Executive of Virgin Care, said: “We are delighted to be working with NHS Dorset and look forward to making a real difference to patient care in Lyme Regis.

“We have a strong track record of providing NHS care. Since 2006, we have treated over two and a half 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.”

NHS Dorset and Virgin Care will now enter a period of due diligence before a contract is finalised. Services will remain unaffected in the interim.

Updates on progress will be made available to the local media or via the NHS Dorset website www.dorset.nhs.uk.

Anyone who has any questions relating to Lyme Regis Medical Centre is asked to contact NHS Dorset Patient Advice and Liaison Service on 01305 361285 or pals@dorset-pct.nhs.uk. 

About Virgin Care

Virgin Care currently provides over 120 NHS services nationwide with a focus on community and primary healthcare.

NHS services provided by Virgin Care include: 

• GP practices
• Community health services, which includes a wide range of services such as treating long term conditions, breast screening and running community hospitals
• Walk-in and urgent care centres
• Community-based services, such as sexual health services
• Community diagnostics, such as ultrasound services
• Specialist services, such as GP services for asylum seekers and homeless people
• Prison healthcare

6 February 2012

• NHS Dorset will be providing an update and answering questions at the Lyme Forward annual meeting which takes place on the 8 March 2012

8 March 2012

The GP Services at Lyme Regis Medical Centre and the Community Services for people registered at Lyme Bay Medical Practice (Kent House), Lyme Regis Medical Centre and Charmouth Medical Practice (Littlehurst Surgery) are currently being delivered on a temporary contract.  Under NHS rules the PCT is required to tender these services and it will be undertaking a procurement process during the forthcoming months to establish a substantive contract from November 2012.

30 May 2012

The findings from the recent NHS Dorset engagement with local people about health services in Lyme Regis are now available from the downloads section of this page.

Taking place between December 2011 and March 2012, the engagement asked local people for their views about local healthcare to help shape the procurement process for community health services in the Charmouth and Lyme area.

During the engagement period 115 responses to the patient survey were received.  The survey asked a range of questions relating to current and future healthcare including what people liked, and what they would like to change.

Since the start of the procurement activity, over thirty providers have expressed an interest in the contract to provide services in the area.

A recent briefing event held in Dorchester saw representatives from a variety of organisations attend to find out more and ask questions before submitting a formal bid.

It is expected that the successful provider will commence services later this year in time to take over from the current temporary contract which expires in November. Services will continue as present until a new contract is awarded.