The Gate Surgery, located on Doncaster Gate in Rotherham town centre, is nurse-led, providing GP services for socially excluded and vulnerable patients, including the homeless and substance misusers. It is one of only 15 projects that have been selected on a national basis which will form the second wave of NHS organisations that want to set up as social enterprises, a scheme that gives public sector workers the ability to take over the services they deliver.

Jean McVann, Lead Clinician for Social Exclusion, based at The Gate Surgery said: “The aim of The Gate has always been to address health inequalities and tackle social exclusion through effective team working, local partnerships, and developing innovative care pathways. The social enterprise will allow staff to achieve optimum benefits and minimise negative outcomes for the practices’ patients, allow expansion, improvement and development of service.”

Care Services Minister Paul Burstow said: “The Eden Project and the Big Issue show us what we can achieve through social enterprises.

“Instead of reaping rewards for shareholders they plough resources back into the community. NHS staff have the local know-how on how resources can best be used and I want to put them in driving seat - and Right to Request combines NHS values with business principles in an effective way.

“We want to empower millions of public sector workers to become their own boss and help them to deliver better services. There is still an opportunity for frontline primary care trust workers to be part of the next wave of the scheme in the autumn.”

Chief Executive of NHS Rotherham Andy Buck said: “I am delighted that the innovative and progressive services of The Gate have received national recognition. The development of the social enterprise reflects the forward thinking approach of NHS Rotherham, and we will give our full support to the staff in developing their new enterprise.

Chief Executive of the Social Enterprise Coalition Peter Holbrook said: "Social enterprises working in health and social care have a transformative impact on lives and communities by giving patients a stronger voice in the care they receive and empowering their frontline staff to be resourceful and innovative.

“The 'Right to Request' has been a crucial initiative to support the development of social enterprises in health and social care where there is a demand and a need for something different, and encourages new ways of delivering a better, more personalised service for the public that gives greater value for money."