Caretaker provider confirmed for patients of The Village Medical Centre

Horizon Health Choices take over the running of the practice from today, Monday, August 1. The appointment follows notification by the partner’s current provider that they had decided to terminate their contract to provide services at the end of July.

Horizon was founded as an independent healthcare provider in 2006 by a group of 24 GP practices in Bedford, which are also the shareholders and directors. “We are delighted to have the opportunity to provide services to the patients of The Village Medical Centre,” said Wayne Eckersley, Horizon’s chief executive officer. “As a limited company which now has membership from 53 GP surgeries across Bedfordshire, we are well placed to deliver high-quality healthcare services with greater choice and convenience.”

Horizon will be the ‘caretaker’ provider for GP services at the surgery for up to the next 12 months. During this time, NHS England and Bedfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group (BCCG) will be asking patients for their views on how GP services are provided in the area in future.

In a letter sent to patients to tell them about the new provider of services at their surgery, NHS England and BCCG have advised: “If you and other members of your family are registered and currently receive services at The Village Medical Centre, you don’t need to do anything. All registered patients will automatically continue to receive services from the surgery as usual.”