DOCTORS have given a vote of no confidence to the bosses of Warrington’s health commissioners.

A letter of concern signed by representatives from 16 of 24 of the town’s GP practices states that they have ‘lost all confidence’ in the leadership of NHS Warrington Clinical Commissioning Group.

But health chiefs say they are disappointed by the actions of the GP surgeries involved and insist there will be no impact on  patients’ care or services.

The CCG’s clinical chief officer Dr Andy Davies and chairman Dr Dan Bunstone have come under fire following the resignation of two GPs from its governing body and the perceived ‘unjust’ dismissal of another.

This has left only one of four governing body members in post, which concerned practices say makes the CCG ‘non-viable’.

In the letter, seen by the Warrington Guardian, a ‘series of incidents and allegations inappropriate and unbecoming of clinical leadership’ as well as ‘recent disappointing behaviours’ are cited.

The surgeries have called for greater accountability in the CCG and its decision-making processes.

Dr Michihiro Tomonaga, a GP at Helsby Street Medical Centre, was recently dismissed from his governing body post due to a conflict of interest.

In a statement, he said: “I am a local GP and was until recently an elected representative of local GP practices and their patients on the board at Warrington CCG.

“I can confirm that I have raised several concerns about Warrington CCG to NHS England, and these matters are currently being investigated.

“I am unable to make a more detailed statement until the matter has been investigated.”

Dr Laura Mount and Dr Rashmi Jain, GPs at Folly Lane Medical Centre and Stretton Medical Centre respectively, have also resigned their roles on the CCG’s governing body.

A statement from Dr Mount said: “I have served as an elected clinical representative on the governing body of Warrington CCG for three years.

“I have tendered my resignation to my federation, as I believe it is no longer possible to serve the practices I represent and their patients to the high standard I wish to.

“The reasons for this have been communicated to the CCG, and I continue in liaison with them.

“My federation does not wish to elect a new representative until the existing issues are resolved.

“I will continue to serve my patients at their GP.”

The CCG said it was disappointed by the actions of 16 of its member practices.

Warrington Guardian:

Dr Dan Bunstone, left, and Dr Andy Davies have come under fire this week

A CCG spokesman said: “Clearly we are very disappointed by this, especially given that no issues have been raised through the internal formal channels with regards to the roles of both Dr Davies and Dr Bunstone.

“Since receiving the letter, a number of GPs from other practices have been in contact confirming their disagreement with the content of the letter and offering support.

“It is our understanding that the practices who have endorsed the vote of no confidence have done so due to recent events involving a colleague from the newly-formed Warrington GP provider company, and their removal from the CCG’s governing body following appropriate governance process due to a conflict of interest issue.

“As a responsible commissioning organisation we are required to ensure that we follow clear, robust governance and legal process with regards to all our decision making and the management of conflicts of interest.

“As an open and transparent organisation, we would have wanted to provide more information with regards to these recent events.

“However due to the confidential nature and following legal advice, we are unable to comment further.”

The CCG has moved to reassure patients that health services in the town will not be affected by the dispute, and states that it wishes to meet with concerned GPs.

Its spokesman added: “We would like to reassure people that this internal issue will not impact negatively on services or patient care.

“We are committed to ensuring that residents receive the best possible healthcare and outcomes and are pleased that we have recently received a good rating from NHS England in terms of our performance.

“While we are disappointed, looking forward we would like to meet with all our GP members – especially those who have endorsed the letter, so that we understand what the issues are and are able to address them.”

A spokesman for NHS England said it is not currently investigating the matter.

The letter of concern was signed by representatives of:

  • Birchwood Medical Centre
  • Brookfield Surgery
  • Causeway Medical Practice
  • Cockhedge Medical Practice
  • Dallam Lane Medical Practice
  • Eric Moore Partnership Medical Practice
  • Folly Lane Medical Centre
  • Four Seasons Medical Practice
  • Helsby Street Medical Practice
  • Lakeside Medical Practice
  • Latchford Medical Practice
  • Manchester Road Surgery
  • Padgate Medical Centre
  • Park View Surgery
  • Penketh Health Centre
  • Stretton Medical Practice

The letter of concern, addressed to Dr Davies, in full:

We are writing as the majority of GP practices across Warrington, with the following statement of concerns about our CCG and in its leadership.

1. We are concerned with the lack of elected GP representation and decision making on the CCG’s governing body.

This is following the resignation of two of the four CCG elected GP members, and the unjust dismissal of the third elected GP representative recently.

2. With the loss of three of the four GP representatives from its membership, it makes the governing body non-quorate and we believe that the CCG is currently non-viable to deliver or manage its commissioning responsibilities.

3. Based on a series of incidents and allegations over the past year within the CCG that have been inappropriate and unbecoming of clinical leadership, we are disappointed to say that we have lost all confidence in the current leadership of the non-elected chair as well as in yourself as the accountable officer for the CCG.

Unfortunately, this in turn does not give us confidence in the CCG as a commissioning body being able to govern itself or its commissioned contracts in a fair, effective way or in mature, inclusive manner either.

4. Based on the recent disappointing behaviours noted of the current accountable officer and chair towards member practices and their elected representatives, we are also unable to nominate or elect any more GP colleagues from our membership ranks to the CCG governing body due to repeated concerns shared with us in relation to their emotional wellbeing.

This will remain our view for now till there is clear and evident change with the CCG, or change through NHS England.

We need the CCG, its decisions and governance processes to be made more accountable to its membership as per its constitution and not directed inappropriately by its leadership with an agenda that is often poorly thought out, not consulted on, equitable or in the patients’ best interests.

We shall be sharing this statement of concerns from us as the CCG’s member practices with NHS England with a view to explore further, look into and act upon.