Hunt already under fire over Virgin

Despite the enthusiastic welcome (see above) Jeremy Hunt, MP Secretary of State for Health has already come under fire for his involvement in a deal which saw Virgin Care agree to a five-year contract worth £650m to run primary care services in his constituency in Surrey. It was alleged in the Guardian last month that Mr Hunt personally intervened to ensure that the contract to run seven hospitals and operate dentistry, sexual health, breast cancer screening and other community services was signed. The Guardian said that a local NHS risk register had raised concerns about the transfer of management to Virgin Care (previously known as Assura Medical) and questioned the impact it could have on patient care. Prior to the contract being signed in March this year there were delays over terms. It is alleged that this is when Mr Hunt intervened by talking to NHS Surrey’s head of primary care.