The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 274 No 7331 p5
1/8 January 2005

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Private company takes over running of GP practice

A private company, whose managing director Greg Moorhouse is a pharmacist, has taken over a GP practice in County Durham. This means the company is responsible for provision of services to the practice’s 6,000 patients and employs the existing GP partners on salaries.

Since 1 December, the Hallgarth practice in Shildon, County Durham, has been managed by IntraHealth. The practice, which works under a personal medical services contract, has developed a relationship with IntraHealth over the past four years. The company has provided managerial support and assisted with recruitment, allowing the clinicians to spend more time focused on the care of their patients.

IntraHealth currently employs 18 clinical pharmacists. “These pharmacists have developed a range of practice-based medicines management and clinical services. These pharmacy services will play a key role in shaping a new practice model,” Mr Moorhouse said. IntraHealth is currently developing a primary care dyspepsia clinic and a range of chronic disease management services.