Primary Care Commissioning Committee and update on Withnell Health Centre

Committee members of NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB) will meet on to discuss key local issues on Thursday 18 January 2024 at 10am.

The meeting, in which decisions about primary care services across the region are made, is open to members of the public.

One of the items on the agenda will be an update on Withnell Health Centre including the evaluation from engaging and listening to communities and patients of the practice. NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria ICB heard from more than 2,500 people both during face-to-face engagement sessions in the community in September and October. This is more than 43% of the practice population. The insights from patients and local people will contribute to any future procurement process. 

The ICB has worked in partnership with a patient steering group who have been important to developing the engagement process and sharing views to support the development of a new procurement evaluation strategy to be used for all future primary care procurement in Lancashire and South Cumbria. The ICB has appreciated the support and close partnership working with patients of the practice.

A decision on the procurement option for Withnell Health Centre is also expected to be made at the committee. It is important to note that the ICB has not made any decisions yet, this will be a committee discussion in public and we need to ensure we follow due process for equity and fairness.

We have also received a number of emails and letters from members of the public. We want to reassure you that these are being listened to and are not being ignored.

A statement regarding the latest position on Withnell Health Centre is below from Craig Harris, Chief Operating Officer for NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria ICB:

“We would like to reassure our local population that securing high-quality services for them remains a priority for the ICB.

Over the past 10 months we have been working closely with members of the community to keep them updated on the situation. The ICB has worked in partnership with a patient steering group who have contributed to developing an engagement process and shared views to support a new approach to be used for all future primary care procurement in Lancashire and South Cumbria. The ICB has appreciated the support and close partnership working with patients of the practice.

A decision on the approach to be taken in relation to the procurement option is expected to be made at the Primary Care Commissioning Committee meeting on Thursday.

We are committed to securing the best outcome for Withnell Health Centre and its patients within the legal guidance we are required and permitted to consider. It is important to note that the ICB has not made any decisions yet, this will be a committee discussion in public and we need to follow due process for equity and fairness.

Until this decision has been made, we aren’t able to comment any further.”

For latest updates on Withnell Health Centre please visit this webpage.

For information and papers on the Primary Care Commissioning Committee please visit this webpage.

The ICB is the organisation which plans and organises health and care services for people living in Lancashire and South Cumbria.

Anyone wishing to attend the meeting – or to ask a question relating to an item on the agenda – is asked to let the ICB know using contact details provided here.