EXCLUSIVE

DOC's AWAY

18-10-2006

What's up Doc? Plenty, if The Stirrer's in-box is to be believed. We're getting lots of worrying information about a controversial new out of hours medical service for South Birmingham.

The standard of medical care in South Birmingham has been criticised after it was revealed that patients who need non-emergency care during the night will have to travel to the city centre.

At the moment, a company run by GP's called South Doc manages the out of hours service on the south side of the city.

But on December 1st, they will be replaced by a company called Badger, who already operate in North Birmingham and other parts of the West Midlands.

South Doc currently has a walk-in centre open between 11pm and 9am at Katie Road in Selly Oak, but that will be closed and replaced by Badger's centralised operation in Steelhouse Lane.

According to local Primary Care Trust this is “still within 30 minutes travelling time for South Birmingham patients.”

Er, not if they haven't got a car it isn't.

It isn't only the loss of a local service that's worrying Stirrer readers either.

Questions are also being asked about the level of consultation with patients groups - as required by law - when the tenders were evaluated.

Only one of four local patient reps was able to take part in theprocess - and they wereover-ruled anyway.

More on this story as we get it.

How is the out of hours GP service where you live? And have you been treated by South Doc. Leave a comment on our messageboard or contact editor@thestirrer.com in confidence.