Winner emerges in EK feuding docs’ contract battle

Nov 19 2008 by David Wynn, East Kilbride News

A BITTER dispute between two East Kilbride GPs has reached a conclusion after one of the doctors was awarded a sole contract for their practice.

Dr John Haughney and Dr Helen McNeil announced in January they could no longer work together at the Alison Lea Health Centre in Calderwood after a ‘breakdown in their partnership’.

The fall-out was such that even working as separate practitioners within the same building was dismissed as an option.

As a result, NHS Lanarkshire (NHSL) had to advertise the contract for the partnership, which has around 2700 patients.

Both Dr Haughney and Dr McNeil, along with another practice in the town, applied for the award and put their case to a panel consisting of three patient representatives, a member of the East Kilbride public partnership forum, three NHS Lanarkshire officials and a GP from the local medical committee.

The contract for the practice, which is one of four at Alison Lea, was eventually awarded to Dr McNeil, with Dr Haughney leaving his post in October.

The decision ends months of uncertainty for patients of the two doctors and it is expected some of Dr Haughney’s patients may switch to other practices.

It is not known if Dr Haughney, who had been at Alison Lea for over 25 years, intends to carry on working as a GP.

The News was passed details of the decision by the relative of a patient who had written to NHS Lanarkshire asking to know the reasons behind the dispute.

In reply, NHSL said it could not disclose the information as it would breach the Data Protection Act.

The health board did, however, provide background information and stated in the written response: “The consequence of the partnership dissolution is that legally NHSL was required to advertise the contract for the partnership. It was extremely unfortunate that this dissolution occurred, however, NHSL are obliged to follow the regulations set for us by the Government and there was no long term option for the two doctors to operate as single-handed practitioners within Alison Lea.

“After very careful consideration the panel awarded the contract to Dr McNeil.

“In doing so they took full account of the submissions and presentations made by the doctors and the panel ultimately felt Dr McNeil was the best candidate to provide safe, continuous General Medical Service medical care in the practice. As a result Dr Haughney left the practice in early October 2008.

“We acknowledge this will mean some patients will have a period of adjustment to the new practice set up.

“Dr McNeil has assured NHSL she will work closely with patients who require such support during the transition.

“Some patients may wish to re-register with other practices in East Kilbride and if this is the case we would look to support patients who wish to do this.”

One patient told the News: “It would be interesting to know the reasons behind the breakdown in their relationship but the most important things is that the situation is now resolved from the patients’ point of view.”

l What do you think? E-mail dwynn@s-un.co.uk