Woolsthorpe and Stackyard Surgery in Croxton Kerrial are consulting all patients on plans to formally merge into one practice to be known as Stackyard & Woolsthorpe Surgeries.
The practices have written to every household registered with them asking for their views on the proposed merger (download a copy here). Patients are able to collect and complete a survey at their local practice, download a printable survey here or complete an online survey here.
The consultation will begin on Monday 7 August for 45 days ending on Wednesday 20 September 2017.
The practices together currently provide healthcare to over 3,200 registered patients in both villages.
The proposed merger would mean that there would be one patient list and those patients registered at either practice would be able to access their healthcare from either location.
By merging the two separate lists into a single list, the plan is to:
The merger would also allow the surgeries to secure GP services throughout a rural population as well as providing timely care for patients who require urgent visits to prevent unnecessary hospital admissions
In addition to the written consultation process, the practices will be holding two open events - one in Woolsthorpe Village Hall and one in Croxton Kerrial Village Hall where patients will be able to hear more about the proposed merger and the benefits for patients and their future care models. These events will be publicised in practices, on the practice website and using social media once they have been arranged.
Dr Simon Wooding, Senior Partner at both the Stackyard and Woolsthorpe Surgery said:
"We really would encourage all of our patients to let us know their views on the proposed merger of our practices. The merger would see a number of advantages for our patients including access to a range of healthcare professionals, the ability to attend either practice as well as receiving care closer to home. This is an exciting time for the development of healthcare in the area and this merger would allow us to develop the already high quality care that we provide for our patients."
We held two meetings on 21st and 22nd August to give more details of the merger.
Download a copy of the presentation made at the consulation meetings
Download the Minutes from Woolsthorpe Consultation Event
Download the Minutes from Stackyard Consultation Event
Also, please see the Frequently Asked Questions below
Patients will be able to access Primary Healthcare at both sites and offered a choice when booking appointments.
Former Woolsthorpe patients will have a choice of GP and access to longer opening hours
We will be able to streamline all administration services, this will allow us to meet the demands placed on GP surgeries over the next five years.
Patients will be able to access all the same services at the two practice sites. As part of the merger, improvements will be made across both sites to ensure that patients can continue to access high quality healthcare. Both surgeries will continue to be part of the Vale Medical Group.
You will not need to do anything. If the merger is approved, patients from both practices will be able to access services across both sites.
Yes. Patients will also have access to a larger clinical team during longer opening hours
The surgery team will regularly review the number of appointments available to ensure that we are able to accommodate patients. GP appointments will not be reduced, the merger will result in greater appointment availability for patients overall.
You can continue to use any pharmacy or, if entitled, the Dispensing Doctor Service to collect your prescriptions. Medication deliveries will still be available.
The consultation about the merger will commence on Monday 7th August 2017, for the duration of 45 days and will end on Wednesday 20th September 2017. All feedback we receive from the survey will be taken into consideration and a decision will be made shortly after this date. The final decision will be made by South West Lincolnshire Clinical Commissioning Group. If it is agreed that Woolsthorpe Surgery and Stackyard Surgery can merge, you will be notified of the decision by letter and will receive information about how to access services.
The practices have written to all households of patients currently registered with Woolsthorpe Surgery and Stackyard Surgery, asking for their views on the merger of the two practices, by completing a short survey which needs to be returned by 20th September 2017.
The practices are also holding two Public Consultation meetings to answer any questions or queries that you may have in relation to this merger or around the patient survey. Drop in sessions will be held at the following locations:
Monday 21st August 2017 2.00pm - 4.00pm
Woolsthorpe Village Hall
Tuesday 22nd August 2017 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Stackyard Village Hall
You don't need to do anything. At the moment we are currently proposing to merge and we are carrying out a consultation to obtain your views before a decision is made. You can give us your views on the proposed merger of the practices by completing the survey in one of the following ways:
If you want to become more involved with your surgery, you can speak to a member of staff for details of the Patient Participation Group.
Access to home visits will remain the same for both sites.
If the proposed merger is approved, we have no plans to close either site.
Your views and feedback regarding the proposed merger are important to the overall decision making process. We are carrying out a consultation to obtain your views before a decision is made by South West Lincolnshire Clinical Commissioning Group. The closing date for your feedback is Wednesday 20th September 2017 and we look forward to hearing your comments.
If you would rather not complete a survey online, you can download a printable version here.
There is a designated box for you to place your completed survey in each surgery or you can bring the completed survey with you to one of our public consultation meetings.
The Sands
Long Clawson
Melton Mowbray LE14 4PA
1 The Stackyard
Croxton Kerrial
Grantham NG32 1QS
