NHS wants patients' views on Walsall practices
Doctors at the Abbey Square Surgery, Mossley, and the All Saints Surgery, Bloxwich, have approached NHS Walsall about their proposal to merge the practices.
The plan was suggested because of the upcoming retirement of the two doctors who own Abbey Square and GPs' desire to ensure continuing access to care from April 1.
Options being discussed include keeping both practices open or closing one of the surgeries, which would mean all of the patients being cared for at one centre.
Phil Griffin, assistant director of primary care contracting for NHS Walsall, said: "As this will be a change in service for local people, we are writing to patients at both practices to ask for their views.
"Absolutely no decision has been reached so far as the consultation is running to April 23 and, after that, a report will be considered by the NHS Walsall board.
"The board is expected to consider the recommendations of its officers, taking into account the outcome of the public consultation exercise and a more detailed evaluation of the options."
NHS Walsall extended the consultation period to April 23 to get as many views as possible.
Mr Griffin said: "I would encourage people to attend a public meeting so that they can ask any questions, raise any concerns and learn more about what is proposed.
"People can also express a preference for any of the options.
"Whatever happens, NHS Walsall will make sure that everyone currently registered with Abbey Square continues to have access to local family doctor services at the existing site when the two doctors retire until a preferred option is implemented."
From April 1, officials will set up temporary GP cover at Abbey Square until the end of June.
The next public meeting is to be held at Sneyd School, Vernon Way, Walsall, at 7pm on February 5.
NHS Walsall launched the consultation after being approached by Abbey Square and All Saints about the upcoming the retirement of Dr Abdul Ghaffar and his wife, Dr Rifat Ghaffar.
The doctors have run the Abbey Square practice in premises that they own for 31 years.
Options being considered by NHS Walsall are:
Abbey Square remains open with small scale redevelopment and refurbishment.
The GP services stay the same, but would be managed by a new team of doctors;
The practices merge and all patients are seen at the Pinfold Health Centre in Field Road, Bloxwich.
All Saints would increase the number of doctors to support the demands of a larger list size;
The practices merge and all patients are seen at Abbey Square, with an increase in the number of doctors at the surgery to cope with the demands;
The practices merge and all patients get their GP services at Pinfold Health Centre.
However, for a short time, a basic satellite branch surgery would be provided in the Mossley and Dudley Fields area for patients who have difficulty travelling to Pinfold Health Centre.
Arrangements for their long-term GP services would be discussed with them.
Professor Sam Ramaiah, medical director and director of public health medicine at NHS Walsall, said: "We appreciate that people will have concerns, including having to travel farther if one or other of the surgeries closes, doctor availability, as well as issues about parking at the Pinfold Health Centre, which need to be factored into the PCT's evaluation.
"NHS Walsall is keen to listen to local people about these and any other comments they have and to consider what we might need to do to overcome these issues."
Patients who need a copy of the public consultation document can call 01922 618358.
They should return their consultation documents, giving their views and expressing any concerns, to FREEPOST RRLU-CSTS-ERUZ, Primary Care Consultation, NHS Walsall, Jubilee House, Bloxwich Lane, Walsall, WS2 7JL.
Patients can also email Consultations@walsall.nhs.uk or telephone NHS Walsall's customer services representatives on 01922 618358.
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