LOWER GORNAL MEDICAL PRACTICE
The Health Centre Lower Gornal Bull Street
Dudley West Midlands DY3 2NQ
Tel: 01384 322422 Fax: 01384 359495
Practice Manager: Mrs Lynn Britton
October 2015
Dear Patients
We would like to hear your views on proposed changes to the provision of our service.
As you are aware the practice offers a service across two sites: the main site being Lower Gornal Medical Practice at Bull Street and the branch surgery at Masefield Road. For some time it has become clear that the provision of care across both sites is not achievable for a number of reasons. Our practice budget has been substantially reduced due to changes in our contract which puts us under financial pressure. The partners have looked at many options where savings could be made and how we could continue to provide quality care in the current challenging climate, including reduction in doctor’s income, staff losses, and reduction in holidays, whilst still trying to improve our efficiencies. However, although some of these cuts have already taken place, it has not been sufficient.
After a great deal of thought and consideration, it is apparent that Masefield Road is no longer able to operate effectively in modern general practice. As such, our proposal is to merge this service with that which we currently operate from Bull Street Surgery and to close the Masefield Road site.
We will make it our aim to retain the elements that patients value from our smaller practice site and we as a team are confident that we will continue to provide the best possible service by consolidating all patient care at Bull Street Surgery providing better access to full nursing services, chronic disease management and minor surgery facilities.
At this stage, this is a proposed change. There is an open period of 8 weeks from the date of this letter (final date 31st December 2015), in which we would like to invite your views on the proposed closure. After this time a final decision will be made.
Subject to the outcome of the consultation process, and the decision of NHS England, we would like to transfer all our services from Masefield Road Surgery to Bull Street Surgery. You do not have to change doctors or move to a different practice because of the proposal. For those patients who are happy to stay with the practice, we will continue to be your family doctors.
We understand, however, that some patients may wish to choose, or may find it more convenient to see a different doctor in the area. If you would like to choose a different doctor, you will find details of other practices in the area (who may provide medical services to your postcode) on the NHS Choices website: www.nhs.uk or by telephoning Primary Care Support Services on 0113 295 2500.
If you would like to discuss the proposal please contact the Practice Manager, Mrs Lynn Britton (contact details above).
I thank you for taking the time to read this letter.
Yours Sincerely
Dr’s Wild, Malik, Nassralla, Suleman and Stewart.