Two Swindon GP practices, Victoria Cross Surgery and Eldene Health Centre, are set to merge at the end of March 2018.
The merger comes as a result of the retirement of the sole GP partner at Eldene Health Centre and will give patients greater access to GPs, nurses and other primary care support services in a move that sees both practice buildings remaining. Victoria Cross Surgery will take over the management of the practice previously run by Dr Guilding and his team.
The Nythe branch of Victoria Cross Surgery will close and services for those patients transfer to Eldene Health Centre. This change will ensure that patients currently registered with both practices, will be able to continue to access and receive high quality primary medical services.
Dr Richard Guilding, Lead GP Partner at Eldene Health Centre, said: “I am delighted that this proposed merger with Victoria Cross Surgery is happening. It will benefit our patients, enabling them to continue to receive high quality services from the current Eldene Health Centre building. Victoria Cross Surgery is an established practice and I am confident that this merger will have a positive impact on the care of patients”.
Dr Bauliah, GP Partner at Victoria Cross Surgery said: "Dr Guilding and his team have provided excellent primary care services for many years at Eldene Health Centre. We know he will be greatly missed by his patients and staff on his retirement. We understand this change can be a worrying time for patients, but we would like to reassure patients that they are at the heart of all our plans and that we will continue to provide primary care services at the practice sites.
"The merger will help make our practice more sustainable for the future and will allow us to provide patient centred care to all our patients for many years to come. In addition, merging the practices will offer more training opportunities and support for staff, thus enabling us to continue attracting staff of the highest calibre to deliver care to our patients.”
Dr Peter Mack, Clinical Chair, NHS Swindon Clinical Commissioning Group said: “I congratulate everyone involved in this proposed merger. I wish the team at both practices great success for the future and know that they are committed to making healthcare services in Swindon the very best they can be.”
Paul Vater, Chief Operating Officer, NHS Swindon Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “We are very pleased to see that GP Practices have worked together in Swindon for the benefit of patients. This is a great example of practices widening their pool of clinical expertise and ensuring a resilient and extended service, meaning patients will have greater choice and increased access to GPs, nurses and other staff.”
Patients’ registration will be unaffected.
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