More than 40 past and present GPs and professionals have signed a letter calling on an NHS trust to return a "vital" contract back to a Darlington hospice. 

St Teresa’s Hospice - which has run its rapid response service since 2011 delivering 24/7 essential pain management and crisis intervention - was left devastated this week after its contract was awarded to the County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust (CDDFT). 

Staffed by specialist nurses and healthcare assistants, the service gives patients the choice to die at home with their loved ones, rather than in hospital.

Following a new tendering process, the NHS trust was chosen as the successful bidder - sparking outrage among clinicians and practice managers across the town. 

In a letter signed by the GPs, they say they "do not believe the decision made is in the best interests of patients and the community". 

You can read our full story on this here: Darlington hospice's plea after losing 'vital' rapid response contract to NHS trust

Here is the letter in full:

We as clinicians and healthcare managers who have greatly appreciated the incredible specialist palliative service provided to our patients and families by St Teresa’s Hospice's rapid response team since 2011 are deeply disappointed and concerned that this rapid response service has been awarded to the County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust (CDDFT).

We have concerns about the procurement process and do not believe the decision made is in the best interests of patients and the community. Compared to the trust on key performance indicators the Hospice clearly demonstrates a commitment to high quality, as follows:

  • 96% of all patients died in their preferred place of care
  • 98% of patients had a recorded and agreed Advance Care Plan
  • In Friends and Family test, 100% of respondents were extremely likely to recommend the service (yet commissioners marked the Hospice lower than the Trust, stating this may point to an inadequate complaints procedure!)
  • Responded to 99% of urgent calls within an hour and 100% within 2 hours, with 4,186 contacts in 2022/23.

In contrast, the Trust’s target for responding within two hours is set at 70%. Every minute is crucial when supporting distressed palliative and end-of-life patients and their families in crisis.

Delays at this level can increase pressure on emergency services, with patients potentially reaching out to 111, ambulance services, or GPs.

A recent Marie Curie report highlighted that too many people (1 in 3) die in pain and without adequate support across the UK. However, our Hospice is a national front runner in addressing this issue and providing exceptional care.

We are concerned the amazing quality of care provided to our community will be lost by this decision and the award of a contract to a Trust who requires improvement in the latest CQC report safety domain and has stated it has a staff recruitment problem.

Expecting an under-pressure nursing team without specialist palliative training in managing patients with often complex pain management issues cannot possibly benefit patients and their families.

Furthermore, the loss of this contract may destabilise the Hospice which runs largely on charitable donations. We urge the commissioners and Trust to either return the contract to the Hospice, or at least subcontract the contract to the Hospice and work closely to deliver the care to patients and families in Darlington, that they are used to and deserve.

Signed by clinicians and practice managers across Darlington:

  • Professor Ahmet Fuat
  • Dr Christopher Mathieson
  • Dr Harry Byrne
  • Dr Louise Russell
  • Mrs Karen Fuat
  • Dr RS Charlton
  • Mr Paul Hardy
  • Dr Alistair Baines
  • Dr Liz Hardy
  • Dr Jorg Schmidt
  • Ms Claire Tiplady
  • Dr Ian Blessley
  • Mrs Clare Kavanagh
  • Mrs Amanda Roswell
  • Dr David Russell
  • Dr Frank Cooke
  • Dr Andrea Jones
  • Mrs Andrea Frances
  • Dr Khalid Zaman
  • Mrs Liz Stewart
  • Mrs Christine Coad
  • Dr Kate Holterman
  • Dr Patrick Holmes
  • Mr Craig Stevenson
  • Dr Andrew Hunt
  • Dr Sally Stone
  • Dr Richard Stevens
  • Dr Amanda Riley
  • Dr Naji El-Arabi
  • Dr Ellen Bruggink
  • Dr Dan Palmer
  • Dr Anna Mullenheim
  • Mrs Sally Hutchinson
  • Dr Richard Harker
  • Ms Amy Drinkall
  • Dr Andrew Michie
  • Dr Laila Alali
  • Dr Piotr Szemis
  • Dr Nicola Cooling
  • Dr Katie Baggaley
  • Dr Manar Saweirs
  • Dr Andrew Baines