Totally acquisition Vocare wins contract extension with NHS Vale of York

Out-of-hospital services provider Totally has been awarded a two year contract extension ‘in-principle’ to 31 March 2020 with NHS Vale of York Clinical Commissioning Group, it announced on Wednesday.

The AIM-traded firm said the extension was won through its integrated urgent care services subsidiary Vocare.

It said the final contract value was expected to be worth approximately £3m per annum, adding that under the contract - which will become effective 1 April 2018 - Vocare will continue to provide GP out-of-hours services to the clinical commissioning group.

The contract extension further endorses the quality of care provided by Vocare in the region, the board claimed, and followed the recent publication of four reports by the Care Quality Commission which rated Vocare's services as ‘good’ in all areas assessed.

“I am thrilled to be updating the market with the good news of our first contract extension since we completed the acquisition of Vocare last month,” said Totally CEO Wendy Lawrence.

“Over the last few weeks we have devoted all of our efforts to the integration of Vocare into the enlarged group.”

Lawrence said the “key” contract extension emphasised the continued confidence of the CCG in Vocare's ability to consistently deliver GP out-of-hours services.

“I am delighted with the results of the recent CQC reports, which not only demonstrate the high standard of care and quality that Vocare offers in the region but also, reflect the hard work undertaken by the local team.

“GP Out-of-Hours services are a vital part of a broader integrated urgent care offering and I am pleased that the NHS recognises the importance of a collaborative approach to address the rising pressure on emergency care services.”