We have previously advised that NHS North West London was informed that a ‘change of control’ took place on 28 December 2023. The NHS was not informed of this at the time. We were written to on 15 March 2024 to inform us.
Under the terms of the APMS contracts, providers may not undergo a change of control without the NHS’s prior authorisation. The failure to do so resulted in a breach of the contract.
Subsequently, NHS North West London has written to AT Medics Ltd issuing a breach notice to them on all the contracts they hold. We advised that this was considered to be a serious breach and required them not to repeat this breach or otherwise breach the contracts.
In considering if there was any immediate further action to take NHS North West London had to take into account a number of further factors including:
- The quality of care provided at AT Medics Ltd practices and compliance with their contract standards
- The importance of continuity of care for patients
- Was the breach considered serious enough to warrant further action including termination of contracts.
Whilst we are very unhappy with the actions the HRCG Group, the new owner of AT Medics Ltd, have taken, given the current performance of the practices and the importance of continuity of care, we do not believe imposing a sanction of termination of contracts is proportionate at this time.
However, we will continue to closely monitor the performance of the practices to ensure that they continue to deliver high quality care to their patients.
As contracts, come due for potential extension under their terms we will carry out a comprehensive review of their performance, including that the breach notice is a matter of public record, before deciding the approach to potential extension of the contracts, where that is possible, or tender for a new provider for the practice. The breach notice is a matter of public record and will be considered in any future procurements or contract extensions.
AT Medics Ltd holds nine Alternative Provider Medical Services (APMS) in North West London. They have written to advise NHS North West London of a potential change of control of AT Medics Ltd. The practices in North West London are:
- Burnley Practice (Brent)
- The Wembley Practice (Brent)
- The Randolph Surgery (Westminster)
- Canberra Old Oak Surgery (Hammersmith and Fulham)
- Cassidy Medical Centre (Hammersmith and Fulham)
- Mollison Way Practice (Harrow)
- Barlby Surgery (Kensington and Chelsea)
- Earls Court Health and Wellbeing (Kensington and Chelsea)
- Kings Road Medical Centre (Kensington and Chelsea)
The change of control arises as a result of a proposed change in ownership of Operose Health Ltd, which owns AT Medics Ltd through a holding company. It is intended that the ownership of Operose Health Ltd will transfer from the current owner, MH Services International (UK) Ltd, to “T20 Osprey Midco Limited (“HCRG Care Group”)”.
NHS North West London completed a due diligence process to check that the proposed new owner of Operose Health Ltd is of good standing. We sought assurance that the change of control would not affect service provision and that patients would not see any difference in the service by their GP practice, so that patients will still access care in the same way and continue to see the same practice teams.
Patients of AT Medics were invited to attend a webinar from 6.30 to 7.30pm on Tuesday 16 January 2024 where they could give their feedback and ask questions. Click here to view the recording of the webinar and a Q&A.
Members of the public and other stakeholders are invited to attend a webinar from 3 to 4pm on Monday 22 January 2024 where they can give their feedback and ask questions. Click here to view the recording of the webinar and a Q&A.
Patients at AT Medics general practices and other interested parties also have the opportunity to provide feedback and ask questions by clicking here.