New commissioning processes leading to rise in uninsured, outsourced consultants

A leading healthcare figure has warned GPs to undertake a full risk assessment when commissioning third parties to undertake complex services, or face consequential litigation.

Gwam Rajiah*, managing director of Bespoke Healthcare, has stated that the neurophysiology sector has seen a dramatic rise in external companies offering their services, yet many do not possess the legal cover to protect against any adverse scenarios.

He continued to recommend that proof of public product liability, employers’ liability and professional indemnity should be requested when hiring any firm or individual, as a minimum requirement.

Rajiah said: “The change in the commissioning process is at varying stages in different parts of the country, and in some of these areas GPs are already taking a leading role.

“Many know that third-parties offer a good alternative to keeping services in-house with public or private hospitals, and it is imperative that when these decisions are made, especially in complex areas such as neurophysiology, they are taken with the utmost scrutiny.

“There has been a large influx of individuals offering their services on a clinic-by-clinic basis, and at this critical juncture it is unsafe to assume that all the correct paperwork is in place because they are dealing with a professional.

“I urge GPs to be vigilant when looking at their options in complex areas and to undertake their company research properly to establish the quality of service and legal cover, otherwise the consequences will be severe,” concluded Rajiah.

Bespoke Healthcare is the leading independent provider of nerve conduction studies for public and private hospitals throughout the UK.

The company, who saw over 5,000 patients in 2010, has recently commenced neurophysiology service provision for The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Wrightington, Wigan & Leigh Foundation Trust and NHS Ashton, Leigh and Wigan.