“The general public need to be clear that despite NHS statements to the contrary work and patient deatils are going over to India, it's simply a case of how much and how quickly. NHS Devon have refused to impose a cap on the amount of work send to India which should concern ALL patients. NHS Devon have also refused to consult with aptient groups as they know they would object in the strongest terms possible.

Patients should be writing or emailing the Chief Executive of NHS Devon today stating clearly they do not wish any of their details to be sent to India and should also demand a public enquiry, especiially as there is little evidence it will produce any savings.”

“Not to worry Isolde, but I just hope that when SBS have failed to make the main contract payment for the practices to "function" that yourself or anyone else you may know doesn't need a GP or Optician. Because the door will say "Closed until further notice"

This is a fact, payment adusjments along with your personal details will be sent to Pune, India and who knows what information could go astray or even sold?

The PCSS have been an ever changing function and they haven't wasted tax payers money - quite the opposite actually. But hey we won't cry over spilt milk!!!”

“So Jeff James SBS confirm work is going India see question 48 from questions and answers for staff to SBS!!!
Question Will all functions and processes from the current FHS service across Devon be undertaken by NHS SBS within the UK?
Answer 80% of current South West activities will be undertaken in the UK once the Target Operating Model is is place. Registration GP links and GP payment adjustments will be undertaken in Pune, India.
I dont want my Registration details being sent to India Including my name address d.o.b and NHS number does anyone else?????”

“I agree with you brummie2011”

“I'm intrigued by Monica Owen's comment that matters of service quality are taken very seriously.

Really?

Ever since NHS SBS took on its first tranche of FHS work for some London PCTs there have been reports of difficulties / errors / process flaws that have not been resolved to this day - and they started that contract TWO YEARS ago.

Feedback from the East Midlands is identical.

I think a company that takes service quality matters seriously would stop and take stock of itself and its failings and become a successful organisation that can actually do the things it claims to do before trying to expand or take on any more work elsewhere.

The fact that this poorly performing company is still expanding despite its main customers - the GPs and patients - being appalled by the services is a clear indication of corruption and incentiving taking place. There should be a full public enquiry into why PCTs who hold the public purse and have the responsibility to act in the public interest are clearly failing to do so.

And the client satisfaction rate of 95% is laughable. Their clients - the ones that pay SBS and signed the contracts - are the PCT chiefs and Finance Directors whose motivations are financial and not remotely patient or quality focussed. The real stakeholders whose opinions should mean the most to SBS - the patients, the GPs, the opticians, the pharmacists and the hard working NHS staff - are the ones at the rough end of the SBS experience, and the overwhelming evidence of appalling service from across the country should be the warning sign to not touch SBS with a bargepole. In any other industry a company so poor would have folded by now.

A full public investigation into the motivations of the PCT senior managers concerned, communications and incentivising (including the all expenses paid trips to India that the South West managers went on to visit the SBS call centre - SBS paid for these trips of which 50% is money paid by the Department of Health which is funded by us, the taxpayer) is required immediately. No contracts should be signed until that is done.”

“I do.

..and so does my wife.

...and my neighbours.”

“Don't worry, the GP's revolt will only be during office hours and not at the weekend. During these times they will have a telephone revolt only.”

“GPs don't want the apple cart upset. They have got it made at present after a contract that more or less allowed them to print money. Does anyone have a GP who isn't:
1. working part time because he earns more than enough even part time,
2. that isn't away half the time on long-haul holidays,
3. that never does week-ends or nights,
4. that does anything more than dispense aspirin,
etc etc
If you have the one GP in the country not covered above let everyone know. He'll be rarer than a polar bear in the Sahara.”

“One thing Charles. GPs earn profits rather than wages (in part by minimising what they spend on patients). So the benefit of being a business with none of the risk. Guaranteed income, guaranteed customers, = guaranteed profit.

Oh, and GPs aren't part of the NHS. They are private sector providers providing services under contract. Much like SBS some would say.”

“The problem in the Health Service today is that too many Doctors have now forgotten why they became Doctors. . They demand salaries and conditions, (no weekends etc.) that they would have no chance of achieving in any commercial enterprise. . . It's a bad joke that it's the Bankers and Business that have to meet 'targets' to avoid bankruptcy or redundancy that are the ones coming under the spotlight since the economy imploded under Socialism of sorts.”