Virgin Care Services won't be providing health care in the South West going forward as the Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Clinical Commissioning Group has chosen to end the contract

The local CCG - responsible for commissioning healthcare services across the region - and Bath and North East Somerset Council jointly agreed not to extend the 7-year contract with the HCRG Care Group to provide health and social care services that started in April 2017.

Two months after agreeing to a three-year extension, the council and CCG were told that Virgin Care Services had been sold to T20 Pioneer Holdings Limited, which is in turn held by Twenty20 Capital Limited (via another company) (T20). T20 is a private equity investor.

Commissioners paused proceedings and began an independent review into Virgin Care Service's new ownership and how that would affect things going forward. 

The review's contents highlighted uncertainties arising from the change in ownership of Virgin Care, including ongoing contractual and financial risks. This was considered by both governing parties which agreed not to extend the contract. It will now end on 31 March 2024.

Sue Harriman, accountable officer for BSW CCG and chief executive officer designate for Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Partnership Integrated Care System, said: “We arrived at our decision after carefully considering all the options available to us. I would like to assure local residents that the decision has been taken so we can continue to provide high-quality services that meet the needs of our local communities and ensure we make the best use of public money.

“This decision offers an opportunity to create a new, exciting and integrated model for health and social care services for local people and allow us the opportunity to commission these services at scale.

“This will enable us to continue to work in a joined-up way to make sure everyone has access to the care and treatment that is right for them, live in communities that help them to lead healthier lives and have access to integrated local and specialised services.

“I would also like to pass on my thanks to HCRG Care Group’s staff and leadership team who have been providing and running these key services and for the patience and dedication they have shown during this time.”

The papers for the special meeting of Bath & North East Somerset Council Cabinet, including the report and outlining the options considered, are available here. The meeting can also be viewed on the council’s YouTube channel.

A spokesperson for HCRG Care Group said: “We believe that we are well placed to continue providing the services to the high quality required and are proud of what we have achieved and what we will continue to deliver.

“We will continue to operate as normal while we work in partnership in B&NES to agree and understand how we move forward together after 2024.”