Management of two Swindon GP practices to be transferred to new provider

Two GP practices in Swindon will be taken on by new management in the new year after Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Integrated Care Board appointed a new provider organisation.

Abbey Meads Medical Group and Moredon Medical Centre in north Swindon had previously been managed by Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Now, the two practices, which also includes the smaller branch sites of Crossroads Surgery and Penhill Surgery, will be run by a new collaborative entity, made up of Westrop Medical Practice, Victoria Cross Surgery and North Swindon Practice.

The transfer of provider will allow the two practices to continue making progress on their improvement journeys, which has already seen a previous Care Quality Commission rating of inadequate changed to requires improvement.

Sue Harriman, Chief Executive, Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Integrated Care Board, said: “I am delighted that we have been able to appoint a new provider for these practices.

“The change in management will ensure vital primary care services for around 30,000 residents in north Swindon are maintained, and that the solid improvement work started by the Great Western Hospital team can continue in earnest.

“Our focus now is to ensure a smooth transfer, and to work closely with all parties to make sure that both staff and patients alike are in no way disrupted by the work taking place behind the scenes.”

Patients registered with either Abbey Meads Medical Group or Moredon Medical Centre will not be impacted by the change of provider, with people still able to arrange and access care in the usual ways.

Staff at the sites will continue in their current roles, and will be supported through every step of the change process by both the outgoing GWH team and the new providers.

Kevin McNamara, Chief Executive, Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “I am really proud of what our team in primary care have achieved for the people of Swindon in the past few years.

“The practices have been stabilised and taken from being rated as inadequate by the Care Quality Commission to being assessed as requires improvement.

“This rating was maintained during the most recent inspection, reflecting the considerable progress made since we took on the practices in November 2019.

“Staff have worked tirelessly through the pandemic and, for patients, waiting times have improved compared to where they were three years ago, and so has appointment availability, and more GPs.  

“There is still work to do, but I am confident that the practices will benefit from the expertise of the new providers, and that their improvement journey will continue.

“As a Trust we will use our experience to further push ways we can ensure services across Swindon are more joined up for patients.”

Patients with existing appointments are encouraged to attend as normal, and to continue contacting their practice in the usual ways.

For more information on local primary care services, visit www.bsw.icb.nhs.uk.