A DEVASTATING ‘blunder’ that saw 160,000 patient records wrongly archived is the latest unacceptable failing from Capita, doctors union BMA (British Medical Association) said yesterday.
NHSEngland has written to GP practices to inform them that 160,000 patient records were ‘mistakenly archived rather than transferred to surgeries, in the latest error from the Primary Care Support England programme, delivered by Capita.’
Responding, Dr Richard Vautrey, BMA GP committee chair, said: ‘Capita has presided over a litany of failings since they took charge of backroom support for GP services almost four years ago, from issues with payments to practices, to the very serious error that came to light last year, when tens of thousands of patients were left without important correspondence about cervical screening.
‘160,000 patients’ records wrongly archived rather than forwarded to practices is just the latest major error and while it is shocking we cannot say we are surprised. Capita has consistently proved itself unfit to hold this contract.
‘NHSEngland has at last listened to the BMA and now plans to bring cervical smear administration back in-house, and with this latest blunder they now must urgently do the same for all of these services.’
