No change for patients as Swindon GP practices announce plans to merge

Two GP practices in Swindon have announced plans to merge at the beginning of next month.

Whalebridge Practice will merge with Sparcells Surgery, along with its branch site of Great Western Surgery, on Monday 1 April.

The arrangement, which will see all three sites take on the Whalebridge name, should not have any impact on patients, with those needing help and care being advised to use the same contact methods as before.

While there is no need for patients at any of the three surgeries to re-register, they may notice the Whalebridge name being used on letters, text messages and other forms of communication after the merger is complete.

Sarah Smith, Practice Manager at Sparcells Surgery, said: “Joining forces with our colleagues at Whalebridge Practice should be seen as an exciting step forward for both colleagues and patients.

“Our merger gives us access to three sites and three lots of clinical staff, which means that appointment availability for patients will be much greater.

“Patients will soon be able to access care and services outside of their registered GP practice, which in some cases may help patients to be seen quicker or seen by a clinician who specialises in a specific area of medicine.

“No patient, however, will be asked to travel further afield for their care if doing so is a challenge or inconvenient.”

Mergers between neighbouring GP practices have become common in recent years as it allows clinical teams to avoid duplication, share resources and offer patients more clinical services.

No job losses will occur as a result of the merger, with all clinical and admin staff at Whalebridge, Sparcells and Great Western set to continue in their current roles.

More information on each of the practices can be found through their individual websites, while further details on primary care in the local region is available at www.bsw.icb.nhs.uk.