THE NHS trust which runs mental health and learning disability services in York is making a formal complaint after losing its £190 million contract. 

Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (LYPFT) has not been re-awarded the contract from the Vale of York Clinical Commissioning Group, having run mental health and learning disability services in the York area and parts of North Yorkshire since 2012. 

The new five year contract has instead been awarded to the Tees, Esk and Wear Valley Foundation Trust (TEWV) despite an appeal made by the current contract holders.

Chris Butler, chief executive of the Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, said: “The board and I have genuine concerns over the procurement process that took place.

"Also we do not believe that another major upheaval of local services in York and North Yorkshire is in the best interests of patients and their families. In light of this we will be referring our concerns to the NHS regulator Monitor.”

Vale of York CCG's decision follows an inspection by the Care Quality Commission which was critical of how Leeds had far superior services and facilities to York.

Dr Mark Hayes, the CCG’s Chief Clinical Officer said the new services will be shaped by feedback given to them from people who use their services and that he was very optimistic about the future. 

He said: “The continuity of services for patients and staff is of paramount importance to us and to ensure this takes place, the CCG will work closely with Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust".

He said staff and patients will not be affected by the change of provider.  The decision meant York has the same provider as the rest of North Yorkshire, he added.

Martin Barkley, chief executive of Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust said: “We are delighted to have been awarded the contract to provide mental health and learning disability services in the Vale of York."

Local NHS campaigners have previously expressed concern about the decision, saying mental health services should not be "kicked from provider to provider". 

The new contract has been awarded for an initial five years until 2020, with an option to extend for a further two years. It will officially begin in October.

Earlier this year the Care Quality Commission (CQC) released a critical report into the LYPFT, describing a "Tale of Two Cities" in which Leeds had far superior services to York.

The CQC said the 240-year-old Bootham Park Hospital - which would require centralised NHS funding to replace - was not fit for purpose.

- If you have any questions or would like to know more about the mental health and learning disability services contract please contact the CCG by emailing valeofyork.contactus@nhs.net, calling 01904 555 870 or visiting www.valeofyorkccg.nhs.net