Group of GP networks outsource mobile Covid boosters to private provider

A federation of GP practices in Sussex and Surrey has reached a deal to outsource the delivery of mobile Covid boosters.

The Alliance for Better Care GP federation, which covers 12 PCNs, or 47 GP practices, has contracted RMI to administer the jabs.

RMI will staff the federation’s mobile vaccination units over the course of the national autumn booster campaign.

This particular service will target areas with a large elderly population and where temporary clinics cannot be set up, and places with limited vaccine take-up via the national booking system.

The GP federation’s head of service Laura Daniels said: ‘Since September, RMI has supported our Outreach project in Crawley by working with our team to provide a mobile vaccination unit in the area.

‘Our Outreach programme is vital in supporting patients in all areas of our communities and helps us to provide equal access to healthcare services.’

GP leaders have previously raised ‘serious concerns’ about the financial and workload implications of the expanded autumn booster programme.

The BMA also warned that payment to GPs for delivery of vaccines had dropped 20% since last year’s rollout, while the costs for GP practices increased.

The autumn booster programme launched at the start of September in care homes, with GPs incentivised to complete the booster jab rollout for residents and staff by last week where possible.

The 12 PCNs covered by the deal include Burgess Hill and Villages PCN, Care Collaborative PCN, Crawley Care Collaborative PCN, East Grinstead PCN, Haywards Heath Central PCN , Haywards Health Villages PCN, Healthy Crawley PCN, Healthy Horley PCN, ​Horsham Central PCN, Horsham Collaborative PCN, North Tandridge PCN, South Crawley PCN.