Bupa has been awarded a £235 million musculoskeletal services contract with Coastal West Sussex clinical commissioning group (CCG). 

The private health firm will be working in conjunction with Central Health Surrey, taking over from Western Sussex NHS Hospitals Foundation Trust. 

Patients who used the service before complained that it was “disjointed” and that they were referred across “many organisations” during their care. 

The new orthopaedic service will see patients referred to a single team under a new way of working which aims to “reduce bureaucracy and speed up the patient journey”. 

Dr Katie Armstrong, clinical chief officer at Coastal West Sussex CCG said: “Our new partner impressed the evaluation panel by continuously demonstrating that the patient will be at the centre of everything in place.

“I am confident that once bedded in the new service will quickly deliver excellent quality and value and am encouraged that as we do, the provider will see their patients as partners in their care going forward.”

Mike Jennings, commercial director at Western Sussex NHS Hospitals Foundation Trust, said: “The trust submitted a strong and realistic bid, in partnership with other NHS and not-for profit organisations to be the area’s prime provider, based on sound clinical expertise, direct patient feedback and our unique understanding of local communities.

“We are disappointed with the decision and have requested further details to understand the full impact for patients, staff and services.”