A POSSIBLE merger between Knowle GPs and other borough
practices will only expand services for patients, managers have said.
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The Blythe Practice is looking into a possible merger with
five other practices that together cover 20 per cent of Solihull ’s
population.
A practice statement said: “There will be no change to
normal GP services. Over time, we aim to
increase the number of services and locations from which you will be able to
access primary care services.
“For example, if one surgery is closed (e.g. for a half-day
closing) then in time you may be able to be seen at another of the surgeries
instead.”
It said a greater ability to share electronic records and
the need the plan across the NHS had led to the change.
Yet it said no services will be reduced and “our intention
is progressively to increase the number of services available”.
No premises will close or staff will be made redundant and,
in the long-term, patients may be able to visit one of the other five practies,
it said.
The others are Meadowside Family Health Centre, Hob’s Moat;
Park Surgery, Shirley;
In a statement, Blythe Practice said: “We have decided to
plan to work increasingly closer together so that we can provide as wide a
range as possible of high-quality primary care services for our patients.”
It said: “The practices are together actively pursuing
options for formalising closer joint working, and this may involve merger at
some future date.
“Before deciding upon this, there will be full consultation
with everyone who may be involved – including, patients, practice staff, the
public and their representatives.
“In the shorter-term, the practices plan to establish formal
arrangements for carrying out joint working – such as: purchasing of goods and
material, training, sharing of resources, and also of acting jointly for any
future opportunities to bid for new health services in the local area.”
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