Background and proposal
Archers Practice is a local GP practice based in Eastleigh Health Centre – it serves 6,867 patients. Parkside Practice also serves 7,963 patients from Eastleigh Health Centre. Both practices are members of the Eastleigh Health Primary Care Network (PCN).
The merger of these practices, proposed by the GP partners of both practices, was originally scheduled for April 2023. However, the GP partners collectively made the decision last year to place this proposal ‘on hold’ until a later suitable date.
The GP partners of both practices believe that it is now the right time to pursue their merger plans with a proposal to merge on 1 October 2024.
The merger of the two practices will create a new single GP practice providing GP services from the existing Eastleigh Health Centre site. The patients registered with either practice will transfer automatically to the new GP practice.
Why merge?
GP practices across the country are thinking of innovative ways to improve services for patients, to reduce the amount of administrative work they undertake and to ensure a sustainable future.
Both Archers Practice and Parkside Practice are relatively small GP practices and by merging to form a lager GP practice, it is possible to reduce the burdens of business management on staff and administrative functions. The newly formed GP practice will remain in the same building, Eastleigh Health Centre, with the same staff including GPs and nursing teams.
By reducing the administrative burden on staff, it will free up time for the clinical team and others involved in delivering care to see and treat patients.
The merging of two established and resilient practices provides the opportunity to create a new organisation on a long-term sustainable footing able to both capitalise the strengths and opportunities for improvement that come with scale whilst still supporting the fundamentals of general practice, so valued by patients and the GP practices.
Providing patients with access to modern GP practice services
The priority remains providing accessible and high-quality healthcare services, and the GP practices are confident that this decision will ultimately contribute to achieving that goal.
The merger proposal allows resources to be redirected towards recruiting and retaining clinical staff, investing in modern healthcare technology, and expanding the range of services to better meet the evolving needs of patients.
Next steps
The GP practices have submitted to the local NHS, Hampshire and Isle of White Integrated Care Board (the “ICB”), a formal application to merge their NHS contracts. The application included evidence of engagement with patients, stakeholders and the wider community and details of views and feedback received in relation to the proposal.
This application to merge was considered by the ICB in August 2024. The benefits to patients and to the improvement and sustainability of both GP practices was accepted by the ICB and the applications has been approved.
The technical preparations associated with the merger of NHS contracts is underway and the GP practices will merge with patient registrations transferring to the new GP practice on 1 October 2024.
Frequently asked questions
What is an ICB?
ICB stands for NHS Integrated Care Board. The ICBs recently replaced the old NHS Clinical Commissioning Groups which existed in the area. The NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight’s purpose is to meet the health and care needs of our population and improve wellbeing by working collaboratively with health and care partners. The ICB is responsible for making sure that local people get the high-quality NHS services they need. It also has responsibility for ensuring people have access to GP services, NHS dentistry, optometry (opticians) and community pharmacy services.
What will the new merged GP practice be officially called?
The merged practices will consult with staff and stakeholders on a name for the new GP practice.
Will this mean my own practice will shut?
No. The merger supports GP practices to remain open and is not about closing or opening sites.
Is this merger happening because there are not enough GPs?
No. However, the benefit of reducing the administrative burden means that the GP practices can free up more time for clinicians to treat patients and for the GP partners to promote the new GP practices success to potential new staff, such as GPs, pharmacists, and mental health workers.
How far am I going to have to travel for services in future?
The merger will not close any site. Travelling distances will remain the same with all appointments continuing to take place at Eastleigh Health Centre.
Will these changes affect other health and care services which I currently receive or may need to access?
There will not be any change to the NHS services you currently receive or may need to access in future.
Patients of Archers Practice and Parkside Practice will continue to be offered a range of appropriate NHS services to meet their health and care needs irrespective of their home address or which of the practices with which they were registered before the merger.
Will more appointments offered as a result of the merger?
The merger will allow the GP practice to reduce the administrative burden on staff and that should mean freeing up time for the clinical team to see and speak to patients.
I am housebound or unable to travel far. What does this merger mean for me?
There will be no change and services will continue as they are currently. GP services will continue to be delivered from Eastleigh Health Centre. If you are registered housebound, the new GP practice team will continue to support you as at present.
Will the clinicians at the new GP practice change?
The GP partners and other multi-disciplinary practice staff will all join the new GP practice.
Will our social care services change?
No. Social care services are run by local authorities, not the NHS. If you live in Eastleigh Borough, these services will continue to be provided by Hampshire County Council.
Will our NHS maternity services change?
No - there will be no change.
Will the new Practice be merging with other GP practices next year?
There are no such plans at present and the GP practices plan to focus for the time being on serving existing patients and making the merger successful.
Will I still be able to see the GP or practice nurse I am used to?
All staff from Archers Practice and Parkside Practice will transfer employment to the new GP practice and all will be most welcome.
Will the merged practice provide enough appointments for the increase in patients?
Although the patient list size will increase, the merger will mean that there is a corresponding increase in the number of GPs and nurses as teams come together.
The new GP practice will also continue recruitment activities for new clinicians. The new GP practice team will regularly review the number of appointments available to ensure that the needs of all patients can be accommodated.
Will the merged GP practice still offer the same services?
Yes. All current services will continue to be provided.
Will I need to change my nominated pharmacist?
No – there will be no need to change.
How will I request an appointment at the merged GP practice?
There will be no changes to the ways in which you currently make appointments.
What will the merged GP practice catchment area be?
The catchment area and boundaries of the new GP practice will combine the existing area of the Archers Practice and Parkside Practice.
What about the other practice staff?
There will be no impact on staffing.
How will we be kept informed of the merger?
Archers Practice and Parkside Practice will add new questions and answers to this list of ‘frequently asked questions’ and keep a copy updated on each of the practice websites.
