THOUSANDS of patients were left potentially unsure where their next appointment would be when a medical referral service was cut.
The Epsom Downs Integrated Care Services (Edics) group offered specialist treatment to up to 300,000 patients in the area covered by the new Surrey Downs Clinical Commissioning Group.
But when the contract between the two groups expired on July 31, it was not renewed.
Within a week the Edics service had gone into administration and patients using its two dedicated health centres in Epsom – at the Ebbisham Centre and Old Cottage Hospital – were left without a next appointment.
Dr Peter Stott, a medical director at Edics, said: "The CCG told us at short notice that they did not wish to renew our contract.
"The patients will be transferred to a new provider.
"But the main problem is the haste with which it was done. It has been very difficult to make new arrangements."
The CCG took over control of medical provision in the area, which includes Leatherhead and Dorking, in April.
The group inherited all the old contracts from its predecessor, NHS Surrey, including the Edics one.
The two organisations are currently in dispute over value for money issues which were uncovred during an audit carried out by the CCG.
Miles Freeman, chief officer at Surrey Downs CCG, said: "The current contract was due to expire on 31 July and we had hoped to extend it. "However, due to some contractual issues, earlier in the year an independent audit was carried out into the services provided by EDICS. "Whilst the audit did not find any issues relating to patient care or quality of services, it did highlight some serious concerns around value for money. "This is now the subject of a contractual dispute between the two organisations which unfortunately meant we were not able to extend the contract longer term as originally planned."
Bookham resident Jim Smith, a former county councillor, received a letter telling him his next eye appointment at the Ebbisham Centre had been cancelled.
He said: "The service we have had has always been very professional and we have appreciated it.
"We were concerned when we heard that the clinic was being closed within a matter of weeks, with very little notice.
"We have had nothing to say where the clinic will be now."
Karen Parsons, chief operating officer at Surrey Downs CCG, said the group would ensure alternative arrangements for all patients.
She said: "We understand some patients may be worried about what this means for them and we have written to patients to let them know about this change and to reassure them.
"Our top priority has been ensuring a smooth transition for any patients affected by this change and we continue to work closely with local health providers to ensure clinics continue in the same locations, where possible.
"There are a number of clinics that cannot stay in the same place and in our letter to patients we have apologised for any inconvenience caused by this change."
Patients who were receiving treatment at Leatherhead Hospital or at the BACS centre in Dorking should be able to continue their treatment as before.
Call 01372 201500 for information.
