Bath residents have raised concerns about the quality of healthcare and its staff in the city following Twenty20’s acquisition of Virgin Care.
In a letter to the Bath Chronicle, Paula Riseborough said she was “shocked” to hear of the takeover and renaming as HCRGCare Group.
Even more, she said she was shocked that BANES advisers had not received any prior warning of the news.
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Ms Riseborough said: “I am part of the local Protect Our NHS BANES (PONHS) campaign group. We are very unhappy that a private equity firm now owns our health and community care provider.
“The Twenty20 website says, ‘We are looking for high return opportunities in a wide variety of situations.’ What does this mean for HCRG Care Group? Will there be reductions in staff and services in order to increase profits? “
Concerns were also expressed for staff, with many now facing another employer after 18 months of hardship during the pandemic.
“We are very concerned on behalf of the health and care staff at BANES, having already faced an extremely difficult pandemic and now with another employer.
“Many of these employees transferred from the NHS and local authorities to Sirona Care CIC in 2011, then to Virgin Care Ltd in 2017 and now to HCRG Care Group / Twenty20 Capital. It is crucial that the general staff conditions are maintained and pay / pensions / benefits not eroded under the new regime ”.
Another resident, J. Vernon of Bath, said that as a private equity firm its main objective is to redirect profits to its investors.
The focus on delivering best-in-class health care could get lost in the profit margins.
He said: “What’s going on? I just heard that Virgin Care has been sold to Twenty20 Capital. Last month City Council agreed to extend Virgin’s contract, which if I recall well, promised when this contract was awarded to plow no matter what profits flow back into welfare where does that take us now?
The idea that companies play with people’s money is also another concern raised, stating that: “Millions of pounds of taxpayer money are being squeezed between private companies with apparently very little public control” .
Debbie Clifton of Twerton added that the local authority would have to honor its original contract.
“So in my opinion the local authority has no choice but to honor its contract and the BSW CCG which is due to change next year must either incorporate non-medical professionals into day-to-day operations or have a non-executive board that can oversee what’s going on and report things.
The HCRG Care Group responded by saying the announcement was made as soon as possible after the change of ownership was agreed and residents will see no difference in the care they receive, with the same staff and leadership. in place.
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Source: www.somersetlive.co.uk
This notice was published: 2021-12-13 00:00:00
