South London Healthcare NHS Trust receives 39 responses from 'market engagement exercise' (From This Is Local London)

South London Healthcare NHS Trust receives 39 responses from 'market engagement exercise'

4:38pm Tuesday 9th October 2012 in News By Heloise Wood

ADMINISTRATORS at South London Healthcare NHS Trust have received 39 expressions of interest from organisations keen to run services.

SLHT, which runs Princess Royal University Hospital in Farnborough and Orpington Hospital went into administration in July after running up massive debts of £150 million.

Interest to run parts of the trust has come from a range of providers but SLHT has declined to name specific organisations to avoid "compromising the situation".

A spokesman says it has not been taking "bids" as it is not a procurement process but instead a "market engagement exercise".

It has not yet been confirmed whether there will ever be a procurement process.

The Special Administrator for the Trust, Matthew Kershaw, who was instated in July, conducted a market exercise between August 23 and September 14 where he identified interest from NHS, independent and third sector organisations who may be able to help deliver health services.

He is currently drawing up a set of recommendations which will be published on October 29.

A full public consultation will start next month and run until the end of the year giving the public and NHS staff  the chance to have their say on how the trust should be run.

A spokesman for the Trust Special Administrator (TSA) said: "There have been 39 responses received and these are being reviewed against the criteria set for this process which have been developed to ensure possible recommendations secure safe, high quality, affordable and sustainable health services for the people of south-east London.

"No decisions have yet been taken about the future of services or organisational solutions.

"Whatever the solution, NHS services will remain free at the point of need."

They added it's not yet known how long Mr Kershaw will be in place because such a number of options are being considered.

The public consultation will be publicised in a number of ways including in the local media and on the SLHT website.