Harmoni bosses blame previous provider for problems. File picture: PA Wire

An out of hours GP service has blamed the previous administration for current failings.

Bosses of healthcare provider Harmoni were questioned by councillors after Fred Kavalier, a former lead clinician at the company, resigned and wrote to directors about his “urgent concern about the quality and safety of the service”.

But Edmund Jahn, managing director of the company, said they had to pick up the pieces when they took over from Camidoc in 2010.

He said: “The service was in an awful state when we took over and it took us three or four months to sort through and make it safe.

“I don’t want to get into a public dispute with anyone, but I absolutely, fundamentally disagree with the points made by Dr Kavalier.”

In his presentation to Islington Council’s health scrutiny committee on Tuesday he added that response had taken a dip before Christmas.

He said: “I am personally not happy with the times over the last six weeks so we have been working hard and have a plan in place.”