PATIENTS at four Basingstoke GP practices in Basingstoke have been reassured that care and services will continue “as usual” following the news that the owner is looking to sell.

As previously reported, concerns have been raised about the future of four Basingstoke GP surgeries following the news that US medical insurance giant Centene is looking to sell nearly 60 NHS GP practices in the UK as part of a move to exit the UK health market.

Read more: Concern for future of Basingstoke GP surgeries as owners plan to sell Operose

This includes four in Basingstoke – the Camrose, Gillies and Hackwood (CGH) Partnership, which also includes Beggarwood Surgery.

Dr Anna Reed, a GP partner at CGH told patients: “You may be aware there has been some speculation about the future ownership of Operose Health. I would like to reassure all our patients that we will continue to provide patient care and services as usual at our four CGH sites.

“At the same time, Operose Health continues to invest in more staff and new technology to get you seen as quickly as possible. There are no plans for this to change in the future.”

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Councillor Kim Taylor, a county councillor for Basingstoke Central Division, has called for Hampshire County Council to ask for an “urgent update” from the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board (ICB) to “end rumours and get some transparency into the process for residents”.

She has also raised concerns about the future of the surgeries, saying: “We do not know what will happen next. A number of possible options exist, from surgery closures, piecemeal sales, sales to another large corporate or a management buyout by the UK-based Operose senior management team.”

A spokesperson for the Hampshire and Isle of Wight ICB, which commissions primary care services with the CGH Partnership, said: “We are in regular contact with the partnership and have been assured that there will be no impact on patient care or the services they provide at their four sites which includes Beggarwood Surgery as and when the sale of their parent company takes place.”

Basingstoke MP Maria Miller said: "I have already been in contact with Operose who have told me that media reports are purely speculative and that patient services will continue as usual at all four GP surgeries.

"I also note that the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board have released a statement explaining that they are in regular contact with the partnership and that patient care will not be impacted.

"Whilst it is really important not to comment on hearsay, if there are any developments, Operose have a responsibility to let residents and elected officials know immediately.’’