Trust loses patience with three GPs and High Court argument

A BITTER dispute between three Camden doctors has resulted in their NHS contracts being terminated, leaving hundreds of patients uncertain who their GP will be when the medics have worked their notices.
Dr Marian Latchman has not returned to the Regent’s Park Medical Centre in Cumberland Market, Regent’s Park Estate, since she was forced out on January 7 by Dr Harbikramjit Chandok and Dr Christine Pickard following a series of rows that have since reached the High Court.
But now the Camden Primary Care Trust (PCT) has said the ongoing dispute will affect the services offered by the surgery, and has given all three written notice that their contracts of employment will end in September.
The PCT will be put the running of the surgery out to tender when the contract for the surgery ends.
Stephen Conroy, Camden’s Director of Primary Care, wrote to the three, who have been running the surgery since 1999 when Dr Latchman joined the partnerhsip: “[Previously] the PCT was satisfied that you would all be able to work together to ensure the appropriate delivery of services on a consensual basis. The PCT is no longer satisfied that this is the case.”
Both sides of the dispute have said they will battle for control of the surgery – and the hundreds of patients registered there – when the contracts are up, although there is nothing to stop a third party from entering a bid.
Dr Latchman, who is currently working as a locum in West Sussex, told the New Journal: “I’m not very happy with this result – I am being kept from my patients, and I’ve lost a practice I value highly. But I am happy to put a bid in when the time comes. I’m going to work very hard to win this. It is very important to me.” An attempt in February to gain a High Court injunction forcing Dr Chandok and Dr Pickard to allow her back into the surgery was adjourned until May, until which time they will allow her in only to sort out ending the partnership. Despite these hostilities, Dr Latchman has not ruled out an amicable end to the dispute. “I don’t consider it the case that all bridges have been burnt,” she said.
Dr Latchman has widespread support amongst the area’s Bengali community: a petition with signatures from 68 neighbourhood families calling for Dr Latchman’s return was sent to the West Euston Community Association, local councillors and Frank Dobson MP.
But the popular doctor will not return if her former partners win a bid to take over the surgery again.
Dr Pickard confirmed that she and Dr Chandok would remain partners and that Dr Latchman’s patients were being looked after by locums.
“We certainly plan to bid again for the surgery when the time arises,” she said. She added she was confident of continuing to run the surgery: “I think we [herself and Dr Chandok] have certain advantages, and don’t feel it would get to the bidding stage. But I don’t think it’s fair to discuss this further.”
A PCT spokesman said they were unable comment.