Medical group recruits more clinical staff in wake of Whitchurch GP practice merger
New clinical staff are being recruited as two GP practices in Whitchurch prepare to merge from the beginning of April.
Dodington Surgery will merge with Churchmere Medical Group.
It follows the announcement at the end of last year that Dodington Surgery will close at the end of March when the senior partners retire.
Patients will be automatically transferred to the Churchmere Medical Group patient list and no action needs to be taken, health bosses say.
Churchmere Medical Group will take on the 5,000 registered patients at Dodington Surgery.
The new staff are being recruited at the Churchmere Medical Group, and patients in Whitchurch are being reassured that measures are in place to ensure a smooth transition to Churchmere once Dodington Surgery closes.
Doctors Clayton and Rogers, along with the staff at Dodington, will continue to provide all GP services to their patients until March 31, when the practice will officially close.
Choose
Dodington patients are also being advised to visit the Churchmere Medical Group website at churchmere.co.uk for more information on the new clinical staffing team and services available.
From April 1, patients will be able to choose to attend either of the general practice sites at Bridgewater or Claypit Street.
Dr Julian Povey, joint chair of Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin Clinical Commissioning Groups, said: “We understand that patients may be feeling concerned about the transition from Dodington to Churchmere.
“Plans are in place to continue services uninterrupted and the recruitment of new clinical members of staff means patients need not worry.
“If anyone requires further reassurance or assistance, please feel free to contact the Patient Advice Liaison Service (PALS) on 0800 032 0897 or email SHRCCG.CustomerCare@nhs.net.”
A letter has been sent to all patient households to explain the changes.
