TG Medical Centre in West Kirby will close temporarily at the end of this month despite NHS bosses insisting the building would remain open.
From April 1st, TG Medical Centre patients will be treated at Marine Lake Medical Practice, in The Concourse building.
NHS bosses insist this is a temporary measure due to a problem with TG Medical Centre’s lease and that they are working to resolve the issue as soon as possible.
A spokesperson on behalf of NHS Commissioners said: “We have worked very hard to resolve the issue with the lease on the building in which TG Medical Centre is situated, but more work is needed to transfer the lease to the new provider, which won’t be possible by 1 April 2019.
“To ensure services are in place for patients from 1 April 2019, we have had to put alternative arrangements in place and temporarily relocate the practice to the building directly opposite the current surgery.
“We understand this may cause concern and upset but would like to reassure patients and local people that the two practices will remain separate and we are working hard to resolve the ongoing issue with the lease. We aim to re-open the TG Medical Centre building as soon as possible.”
In January, it was announced the GP contract for TG Medical Centre would be taken over by Marine Lake Medical Practice.
Understandably, there has been confusion over the situation among patients, who have been in touch with West Kirby Today.
Here are some answers to your questions.
I am registered at Marine Lake Medical Centre, will I have to wait longer for an appointment?
The two practices will remain separate which means there should be no impact to patients at Marine Lake Medical Centre.
Will the location of my surgery change?
Yes, patients registered with TG Medical Centre will receive their care at The Concourse building but NHS bosses insist this is only temporary.
The new provider aims to re-open the TG Medical Centre premises as soon as possible.
How will the new practice know about my medicines or treatment?
The GPs and clinical team will have the same access to the full medical records so that they can use them as part of the consultation. This would include information on all previous treatments, any on-going treatments and all the medicines that patients take.
Will my GP remain the same?
We understand the TG Medical Centre GPs are transferring to Hoylake and Meols Medical Centre.
Will TG Medical Centre and Marine Lake Medical Centre remain separate practices?
NHS bosses say the practices are not merging and will be kept separate, despite being temporarily housed under the same roof.
TG Medical Centre will become known as the Estuary Medical Practice.
Will appointment times and dates be the same?
NHS bosses say they are doing everything they can to minimise disruption to patients.
How do I access treatment from Friday 29 March – Monday April 1?
If you need to access medical services during the weekend when the practice transitions from one provider to another, you can use the usual GP out of hours service, extended access service or telephone NHS 111 for advice.
Would opening hours and services remain the same?
Yes.
Can patients ask to be registered at another practice?
You do not need to change GPs but if you would like to register at a different practice, there are a number of alternatives in the area.
You would need to contact one of your other local practices and ask if you can register with them. The new practice will let you know what you need to do to register with them. For a list of local practices just put your postcode into the ‘Services Near You’ box at www.nhs.uk or call NHS England on 0300 311 22 33.
I am waiting for the results of tests – where will they be sent now? I am worried they are going to be lost.
Normal procedures are still in place and your test results will come to your local GP practice as they would normally do. If you plan to move to a new practice now or in the future standard procedures include making sure that test results are sent to the correct practice.
How do I access phlebotomy appointments if I am a TG practice patient?
Patients who are currently registered with TG Medical Centre will continue to be offered the option of pre-bookable and drop-in appointments until 30 June 2019. Marine Lake Medical Practice is currently re-designing this service commencing 1 July 2019. For further details please contact your practice who will be able to answer any additional questions.
Will there be an opportunity to speak to the new providers?
Yes, the new providers along with NHS England (Cheshire and Merseyside) and NHS Wirral Clinical Commissioning Group, will be holding face to face sessions for patients to attend. This will be held on:
- Tuesday 19 March: 5.00 – 6.00pm at Marine Lake MC
- Thursday 21 March: 5.00 – 6.00pm at Marine Lake MC
- Tuesday 26 March: 12.30 – 1.30pm at TG Medical Centre
- You can also call the practice directly on 0151 625 9171.