Network Private Hire are most likely not too worried about the cost of their taxi insurance any more after winning a contract worth £2 million to take patients in the Glasgow area to hospital appointments.
However, the BBC have reported that the deal has not been without controversy: police in Srathclyde had written to the health board and advised them not use the services of Network Private Hire due to connections with organised crime.
However, the health board were worried that failing to award a contract to a taxi firm would lead to legal action against themselves and a report on the matter reads as follows: ‘Failure to award a contract will leave the board open to legal action and the likelihood of substantial damages and would be in conflict with the responsibilities of board members and most particularly with the responsibilities of the board’s chief executive in his role as Accountable Officer.’
Srathclyde Police’s spokesman have said that they’re ‘disappointed’ with the result chosen by the health board.
The health board has claimed that it questioned Network Private Hire about the allegations put forward by the police and the firm responded to all correspondence and provided answers to any queries.
However, the health board has stated that is reserves the right to terminate the contract should the taxi firm not address any poor performance factors that may be noticed through the NHS’s close monitoring.
Comments on this entry are closed.