SSP Health
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Industry | General practice |
|---|---|
| Founder | Shikha Pitalia |
| Headquarters | |
Area served | North West of England |
| Owner | Shikha Pitalia |
SSP Health is the largest provider of primary care GP services in the North West of England. As of 2014 it was one of only three such organisations in England serving more than 140,000 patients.[1]
According to the company website, the company was founded in 2002 by Shikha Pitalia, MBChB MRCGP and her husband, Sanjay Pitalia, also a GP. As of 2023, the company employs around 500 people and "runs 40 practises" treating about 150,000 patients.[2]
In 2013 SSP took over 22 practices in Liverpool and the Metropolitan Borough of Sefton, adding to the 17 practices it was already running.[3] The contract was worth £26.7 million over three years. In 2016, only 5 of 20 contracts were renewed with SSP Health, which the Liverpool Echo called a "controversial private health firm".[4] The secretary of Liverpool Local Medical Committee described the contracts in May 2016 as "unworkable" and said they did not "stack up financially".[5]
When the firm first took over the practices, many of them were already struggling due to poor management and funding previously. The firm employed locums staff as they worked to rectify the problems inherited from the previous contract holders.[6]
In 2002, SSP Health pioneered 'federated General Practice',[according to whom?] In 2023, the NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB) awarded the contract to run a Health Centre near Chorley to SSP as preferred bidder by a small margin, angering patients. Staff have said they were "ready to resign" over the SSP Health takeover.[7] In February 2023, the NHS reversed its decision apologizing for the lack of public consultation in the process. SSP threatened legal action against "individuals who have made false or defamatory statements". This despite making millions over the last two financial years whilst refusing to treat people awaiting help from the Gender Service, they even joke they are 'right on' with the LGBTQi community.[8]
All practices inspected by the Care Quality Commission while part of SSP Health received[when?] a rating of "Good" or "Outstanding".[9]