Individuals formerly employed by the West Cambs Federation have the support of the PDA in taking action to try and secure compensation after the community interest company declared itself insolvent. The federation had operated under the NHS brand including having an nhs.uk website address.
West Cambs Federation provided an out-of-hours GP service, eating disorder support, cancer screening and mental health services on behalf of six primacy care networks across Fenland and Huntingdonshire. However, though services were rated as “good”, its financial management led to it entering insolvency in January 2024, shocking employees and patients alike.
Company records show seven directors left the board between October and December 2023, leading one impacted PDA member to say, “I believe that each former Director continued with their other roles as GP partners in local surgeries, unaffected, while over 100 people lost their jobs, including many full-time employees, for whom this was their primary income.
To date, we have seen no accountability, no explanation, and certainly no attempt to address our concerns. The liquidators dealing with the insolvency, PEM, have stopped providing updates on their work or any investigations, leaving us in the dark.”
Another PDA member added, “There has been no accountability, no explanation, no apology, no support, and its likely we will not be receiving the compensation we are entitled to. It seems there are no repercussions for the individuals involved.”
The PDA will continue to support affected members to attempt to secure whatever financial compensation can be achieved.
This situation shows how employees can be vulnerable to issues caused by the actions of their employers which are in no way caused by the individual’s work, whoever their employer may be.
The PDA represents members employed by NHS employers and by other organisations that are delivering NHS services including GP Federations and Practices and Community Pharmacy. All employed and locum pharmacists who have not yet joined the PDA are encouraged to do so without delay.
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