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Pharmacy Referrals and what it means for you
It is proposed that Horton Bank Top Medical Practice & the Ridge Medical Practice will merge into a single practice with effect from the 1st April 2023.
We hope that the information given to you in this leaflet will give you a better understanding of why we are looking to merge the practices at this time and what it will mean to you as individual patients.
There is a feedback option at the end of the leaflet to give you the opportunity to ask any questions or give feedback on the proposed merger to the practice.
We are also holding public meetings on at the Horton Bank Practice surgery on:
At these meetings representatives from both practices will be present to answer your questions and listen to your comments and concerns.
Please come along to raise any concerns or feedback in person at these events.
Why do the practices want to merge?
GP practices have changed and developed a lot over recent years and there is a lot more care that is managed from the GP practice than there ever used to be. There are also a lot more rules and processes that need to be followed to meet the requirements of the NHS than there used to be. There is also a significant shortage of workforce (GPs, Nurses and support staff) at this time that makes recruiting new staff very hard. All this means that it is very hard for small GP practices to remain sustainable and effective in current times. Care can be more efficiently managed through a larger organisation that will ensure that access to services can be provided when it is needed.
Why are Horton Bank Top and the Ridge merging with each other?
The 2 practices are located close to each other and already work closely together. Over the last few years GP practices have been working in groupings known as “Primary Care Networks” or PCNs. Horton Bank Top and the Ridge are in the same PCN (with three other local GP practices) so are already working together jointly on a number of areas. The GPs and leaders at both practices share the same values and approach to providing care for their patients and think that overall they can run a better GP practice as a combined organisation that will benefit all patients of both practices.
What will the combined GP practice be called?
The practices will unite together under the Ridge Medical Practice name which will be retained.
Will any surgery building be closed?
No – the existing Horton Bank Top building on Great Horton Road will continue to operate as will all three of the Ridge surgeries at Great Horton, Wibsey & Buttershaw.
Will there be any changes to services provided?
No – all the staff in both practices will remain, and all will continue to do the same work in the same places as they do now. You will still access care at the same place where you do now. Over time patients will be able to access care at any of our 4 locations should the choose to do so – for example if it got you an appointment sooner or if you wanted to see a particular Doctor.
Will the phone numbers change?
No – patients will continue to call and access the GP surgery in the same way as they do now. Over time we may combine the 2 reception teams into a single team with a single phone number but this will only be done after further consultation with patients via the patient participation group.
What if I don’t want to stay registered with the new combined practice?
As a patient you always have the choice of which GP surgery you choose to register with, as long as you live in their catchment area. You are of course free to register with an alternative practice in the locality.
Will it affect my prescriptions?
No all your existing repeat medications will carry on as they do now and it will not affect your nominated pharmacy for collecting your medicines.
We understand that making changes to local GP services can be unsettling, but we will make sure all patients have access to safe, high quality patient care and we will do everything we can to make the change as seamless as possible should it go ahead.
