Seven GP surgeries in Bury set to merge
It will be one of the biggest mergers of GP surgeries in Greater Manchester
Seven GP practices in the Bury area are planning to merge - in a move which it's hoped will make it easier for patients to see a doctor.
The seven surgeries will become one practice, known as Tower Family Healthcare, but will all stay in their current buildings. Patients will still be able to see their usual doctor but will also have access to any of the six other sites.
As a collective practice - doctors and nurses will be able to provide additional specialist health services aimed at reducing the need for hospital appointments.
Doctors say the decision has been taken after careful consideration to help ensure consistent high quality care, secure services for the future and boost the recruitment of clinical and support staff, which at present is heading towards crisis levels across the UK.
We're told merging practices will also improve health and social care closer to home, attract new talent, create more opportunities for patients to book urgent care appointments, increase out of hours capacity and provide more opportunities for greater staff training and career development.
The practices included in the intended merger are:
- Greenmount Medical Centre in Brandlesholme Road
- Minden Family Practices in Derby Way, Bury which incorporates three practices, - Yacht, Waves and Anchor
- Spring Lane Surgery, Radcliffe
- Uplands Medical Practice, Bury New Rd, Whitefield
- Tottington Medical Practice in Market St
A series of surgery information and engagement sessions will take place for patients and staff.
Dr Simon de Vial, from the Yacht Practice in Minden said; “This is a positive move and one we feel is right to ensure future viability and to protect and enhance patient services.
“We know from experience that all the practices involved have like-minded values and share the same vision for patient services. In time, we hope more practices across Bury will join us as we encourage greater involvement. It will generate far greater training and career opportunities for all staff and will provide us with multiple opportunities to work at scale.”
“Merging practices will mean that we can share expertise, reduce the number of locums, and provide extra capacity for patient appointments. It is also about supporting our staff who are increasingly under pressure.”
Dr Wissam El-Jouzi from Tottington Medical Practice said; “Currently, our urgent care capacity is teetering on a knife edge. It only takes a small reduction in GP availability to destabilise the whole system and that creates an unacceptable situation for patients. We are not facing any closures yet, but we know this has happened to many practices all across the country.”
The British Medical Association recently reported 200 practice closures across the UK last year.
The merger will be subject to all regulatory approvals and appropriate levels of engagement with patients and staff.
Subject to appropriate patient and staff engagement and all regulatory approvals, it is anticipated that the merger will be finalised within the next 12 months.