Virgin Care Pulls Plug on Brook Service

Virgin Care held the contract from Bury, Rochdale and Oldham authorities to provide a range of sexual health education and wellbeing support for young people in Bury and Rochdale as part of Oldham, Rochdale and Bury Integrated Sexual Health (ORBISH). They then subcontracted this to Brook Advisory Service.

Investigation and Contract Transition

Brook employees operating at these sites contacted their trade union and, through the Workers of England Union, reported to Virgin Care possible breaches in Data Protection and potential incorrect filing of reports by Brook’s management.

Both Virgin Care and Brook immediately launched separate investigations. While the full conclusions are not public, Virgin Care has since pulled the plug on Brook and will instead run the services in-house. From 21st July 2018, Virgin Care will directly provide the range of sexual health education and wellbeing support for young people in Bury and Rochdale.

Union Response

Stephen Morris, General Secretary of Workers of England Union, stated: “Poor management at Brook affected the quality of service delivery to vulnerable young people. Their inability to fulfil their contract came as no surprise—not just because of the possible breaches of Data Protection and reporting irregularities, but also due to HR failing to follow basic employment procedures, and a senior manager blocking doorways to stop ill staff leaving the premises to visit their doctor, all of which impacted employee welfare.”

“Our initial meetings with Virgin Care have been very positive. Our members are upbeat and now looking forward with optimism to working with Virgin Care and continuing to provide essential services to our communities.”

Further Reading

• Virgin Care launches new sexual health programme
• Workers of England welcomes Data Protection guidelines
• Brook Advisory Service expands services