Optical Confederation and LOCSU response to Capita profit warning

The Optical Confederation and LOCSU has said the Government and NHS England “must prepare to step in” if Capita continues to let down NHS primary care contractors.  This follows Capita’s profit warning and share price drop on 31 January 2018.

Optical Confederation Chair, Fiona Anderson said: “Our members have already been suffering for two years because of Capita’s failure to deliver a primary care support service in England. We wrote to Simon Stevens only last week to set out our members’ continuing anger and frustration at Capita’s failure to improve and our complete lack of confidence in Capita. We said then that unless things turn around immediately, the time has come for NHS England to find another service provider.

“Today’s news underlines the need for NHS England and the Government to prepare to step in and make sure the vital care that our members and other NHS contractors provide to patients is properly supported – whatever Capita’s financial problems.  As we’ve seen with Carillion, it is ultimately up to the Government to make sure the failings of private service providers don’t damage the NHS.”