Devon Doctors has withdrawn its tender to provide out-of-hours services to the NHS Northern, Easters and Western Devon Commissioning Group, as the money offered to provide urgent care services is less than the service will cost. They will cease provision in March 2016.

They were the only bidder (and current providers) of out-of-hours GP services, dentistry and minor injury treatment.

“When asked what impact this would have a spokesperson said …”Clearly this uncertainty is not helpful and could have an unsettling effect on staff and clinicians”.

We must also assume that this is one of the services meant to enable people to have treatment that, where possible, would allow people to be cared for at home.

With Axminster and Ottery St Mary hospitals now closing how on earth can people be treated at home if a crucial part of the service is not available?

Anyone remember the antiquated Army “Green Goddess” fire engines that were used many years ago when firefighters went on strike? How long before we have army ambulances and army doctors in East Devon?

Source: Express and Echo “Setback for delivery of urgent care”, page 2, Anita Merritt (no web link found)