A row has broken out about the running of a new GP health centre.

The centre in Queen’s Road, near Brighton Station, which opened earlier this month, is managed by the private company Care UK for Brighton and Hove City Primary Care Trust (PCT).

A report to Brighton and Hove City Council’s health overview and scrutiny committee said members had “reservations” and that the centre should be closely monitored in the coming months.

The company is responsible for running the orthopaedic treatment centre in Haywards Heath, which was criticised in a review by the former Healthcare Commission in 2008.

Inspectors raised concerns about some operating theatre procedures and decontamination methods.

However, a follow up visit revealed improvements had been made and the centre was given a clean bill of health following another check this year.

Jason Kitcat, a member of the committee and the Green Party spokesman on health issues, said he was also concerned about the increasing privatisation of the NHS.

He said: “It doesn’t make sense for a public health service to be run by a private company.

“The whole selection process seemed to unfairly favour big business over smaller and more local providers because of the complex bid system.

“In choosing Care UK, the PCT has plumped for a company with a very mixed reputation – its management of the orthopaedic treatment centre led the Healthcare Commission to put it in special measures after concerns were raised about hygiene.

“In light of this, we’re urging the PCT to monitor the new health centre very closely.”

Care UK managing director Mark Hunt said: “We have an outstanding reputation for high quality services across the country – 93% of our NHS walk-in centres are rated as excellent or good and we were awarded the Health- Investor Primary Care organisation of the year award last month.

“The most recent report into the Sussex Orthopaedic Treatment Centre by the independent regulator gave it full marks.

“We are confident that patients at the Brighton Station Health Centre will enjoy a service that offers high standards.”

PCT chief executive Darren Grayson said: “Brighton and Hove needed a new health centre and we went through a rigorous and robust process to find the right provider.”

The centre is open seven days a week from 8am to 8pm.