ANSWERS to eight significant questions about the future of the Surgicentre have been demanded by an MP.

MP for Stevenage Stephen McPartland is keen to resolve the issues at the unit and has asked the new chief of the East and North Herts Clinical Commissioning Group, Lesley Watts, to supply the information as soon as possible.

Among those questions, he has asked are: Who holds the contract with the Surgicentre? What are the financial implications of terminating the contract? And what is the financial consequence of GPs no longer referring opthamology and orthapaedic patients to the centre?

Mr McPartland has also asked for guidance for those on the current waiting list, asking if they have an option to be treated elsewhere and for confirmation as to whether the Surgicentre is in breach of the NHS constitution.

He as also asked for copies of correspondence from GPs describing decisions they have made about referrals and letters from clinicians working at the Surgicentre who have raised concerns.

The final question asks about eye clinic patients, whose records were being checked to ensure there had been no sight deterioration due to their prolonged wait or follow-up care, and what the result of that audit was.

Mr McPartland said: “I’ve made it clear to Clinicenta-Carillion and the Care Quality Commission the service available to my constituents is just not good enough. Clinicenta-Carillion who are not managing the contract properly have failed, they have lost the trust of the local medical professionals and they have lost the trust of the local community.

“They should not be trying to hang on, delivering an unacceptable service, so the Department of Health has to pay them to go away.

“It is time their licence to provide healthcare in the UK is removed and I will continue to fight to get the best possible service for local people.”