Exclusive GP-led Covid vaccination sites are facing inspections by a private company, which is carrying out checks regarding vaccine storage.
Facilities management and professional services company Mitie is undertaking the inspections on behalf of NHS England, Pulse understands.
A spokesperson for Mitie told Pulse that it has been asked to check ‘security arrangements’ for Covid vaccine storage at ‘a number of vaccination sites’.
They said: ‘We have been asked to do an independent assurance of the security arrangements for storage of the coronavirus vaccine at number of vaccination sites to support the successful rollout of this national programme.’
Pulse has asked for clarification on how many sites are set to be inspected, how they are selected for a check and when the inspections will begin.
It also remains unclear why the inspections are taking place. However, NHS England refused to comment, and a Mitie spokesperson told Pulse the company was unable to share more information because it is bound by a non-disclosure agreement.
It comes as the CQC last month announced that it would not ‘routinely’ monitor primary care network (PCN) vaccination sites.
In November, the regulator had said it might ‘separately’ inspect GP practices’ Covid vaccination sites that are not usually used to deliver services, such as sports venues.
But announcing that it would continue its current risk-based approach to GP practice inspections for another three months, the CQC said the approach would also apply to vaccination sites.
In a letter seen by Pulse, it said: ‘While we will be undertaking specific monitoring activity for the hospital trust-led mass vaccination centres, we will not be routinely doing this for the sites delivering the vaccine in primary care. ‘
Meanwhile, the CQC is consulting on plans to phase out on-site GP practice inspections except in cases where it has been alerted to safety risks.
READERS' COMMENTS [8]
Please note, only GPs are permitted to add comments to articles
I bet the company is raking the money in doing inspections of something they have no idea about at sites that were not meant to be vac sites in first place
Well, hardly surprising: all this good news about GPs can hardly be good for government. A few made-up stories about GP bad apples, storing vaccines in the microwave and sharing needles should have us back in our box, where we belong……
Does anyone ever think we can have a trusted relationship with this Government?
If not after the success of the jab rollout then never
Two comments as an ex GP working for a “private company ” ( not this private company !) on this story :
1. I agree that like everything else during Covid , if its not bad news , those in the press and otherwise will look to find bad news…. no wonder the nation is depressed . GP vaccination response has been magnificent – well done all – no-one can take that away
2. I get very upset by “private company” being inferred/used as a derogatory term – I have worked for the NHS for 37 years – in hospital then as a GP for 13 years and now for an independent provider to the NHS ( without pension). My service provision as a GP and now is THE SAME except I do not receive pension unlike you GPs . You are independent providers and in many ways like my current work its that independence that allows you to be successful in many areas including setting up vaccination centres. So please do not throw stones in a glass house . I know it was Pulse that did this but I hear so many GPs make these comments towards my organisation too and we offer great services to the NHS like GPs. Please stop and think . Rant over !
I do not have any problem for some common sense driven inspection based on the matter of security. In fact , I would argue that anti-vaccination crime against GP designated sites (like the case Pulse reported 2 weeks ago on insulting graffiti on the walls outside a GP vaccination site) are matter of security and the system needs to be alerted through these inspections to provide protection on these sites .
If Pulse can expose Hancock and NHSE on OPEROSE healthcare and other chums:
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2021/feb/26/nhs-gp-practice-operator-with-500000-patients-passes-into-hands-of-us-health-insurer
Hell hath no fury as a vested interest masquerading as a moral principle.
ttfo–your premises