Eight CCGs in the north west of England and one in Essex have to find an alternative community midwifery service earlier than expected after their commissioned service revealed it is going into administration.
One to One (North West) Ltd announced its decision yesterday, and the company will go into administration from 31 July at 5pm. Its contract with the CCGs was originally due to expire on 31 March 2020.
It currently provides services on behalf of NHS Wirral CCG, NHS Liverpool CCG, NHS Warrington CCG, NHS West Cheshire CCG, NHS South Cheshire CCG, NHS Vale Royal CCG, NHS South Sefton CCG, and NHS Southport and Formby CCG.
One to One also provides the same service for NHS North East Essex CCG.
In a statement on its website, the company said that it had attempted to ‘influence the financial basis’ for how a community midwife-led service can remain sustainable ‘within a challenging NHS landscape’.
However, the company said it was left with ‘no further options’ but to declare insolvency after it was confirmed that the proposed new contract between it and the CCGs was ‘procured without changes to this unsustainable financial structure’.
One to One also told its users that those registered or booked with the service will be helped to transfer to an alternative provider, it said.
The CCGs are getting in touch with patients who are affected by this news. They have also set up a helpline for those requiring support during the transition period.
One to One said in a statement: ‘It is regrettable that a service and model of care which provided such excellent clinical outcomes for women and their babies was not able to continue to do so.
‘One to One is extremely proud of its midwives and their achievements over the last nine years, in what has been a very challenging NHS environment. All our staff have contributed to the amazing care of over 17,000 families in this time and ultimately in the achievement of safer outcomes for women and their babies, including lower stillbirth rates and premature birth rates, but unfortunately this has not been enough to ensure the continuation of the service.’
One to One said that NHS Wirral CCG and associate CCGs had commissioned it for the provision of a community-based midwifery service in the Cheshire and Mersey region since 2010.
Healthcare Leader has asked One to One to clarify how many people are at risk of losing their job.
