Have just received some important information from NHS Walsall Clinical Commissioning Group about changes to 9 GP surgeries in Walsall. Two:- Kingfisher Practice and Keys Family Practice, will be of particular interest to Willenhall residents.

Changes to nine GP surgeries in Walsall

In July 2017 NHS Walsall Clinical Commissioning Group held a six week public consultation about possible changes to nine GP surgeries within the Borough.

Why was the consultation held?

The consultation took place due to several GP contracts coming to an end in early 2018 and NHS Walsall CCG needed to review them and decide how future services could look within the borough. Click here to find more information. The CCG also worked closely with Healthwatch Walsall to engage with effected patients and over 1,000 surveys were completed.

What decisions were made following the consultation?

NHS Walsall CCG’s Governing Body met on November 7, 2017 and agreed the recommendations given by Primary Care Committee. The recommendations have resulted in the following changes:

Manor Medical
· The contract for Manor Medical will be combined with Wharf Family Practice and Sai Medical Practice, with all three practices being merged as one big practice based at Forrester Street, with one reception from July 2018.

Wharf Family Practice
· The contract for Wharf Family Practice will now be combined with Manor Medical and Sai Medical Practice from July 2018.
· This means Wharf Family Practice will relocate to Forrester Street, which is where Manor Medical and Sai Medical Practice are currently based. All three practices being merged as one big practice based at Forrester Street, with one reception from July 01, 2018.
· Evening and weekend appointments will be removed from the main practice contract, however the practice will have to provide some evening and weekend appointments through participation in the National Specification for Access. However, weekend and evening appointments can be accessed through the Extended GP Access Hubs.

Sai Medical Practice
· The contract for Sai Medical Practice will be combined with Wharf Family Practice and Manor Medical Practice, with all three practices being merged as one big practice based at Forrester Street, with one reception from July 2018.
· This change in contract will result in there being one reception for Manor Medical and Sai Medical.

Blakenall Family Practice
· The three contracts for Blakenhall Family Practice, Harden Family Practice and Coalpool Family Practice will be merged into one contract, making it one large surgery, based across two sites at Harden Health Centre and Blakenall from July 2018.
· There will now be a single reception desk at Harden Health Centre and patients of the combined practice will be able to go to either the Harden Health Centre or Blakenall site.
· Evening and weekend appointments will be removed from the main practice contract, however the practice will have to provide some evening and weekend appointments through participation in the National Specification for Access. However, weekend and evening appointments can be accessed through the Extended GP Access Hubs.

Harden Family Practice
· The three contracts for Harden Family Practice, Blakenall Family Practice and Coalpool Family Practice will be merged into one contract, making it one large surgery, based across two sites at Harden Health Centre and Blakenall from July 2018.
· There will now be a single reception desk at Harden Health Centre and patients of the combined practice will be able to go to either the Harden Health Centre or Blakenall site
· Also, from July 01, 2018 Harden Family Practice will see a change in contract, which means the practice will be open from 8am until 6.30pm, and will no longer close for half days.
· Evening and weekend appointments will be removed from the main practice contract, however the practice will have to provide some evening and weekend appointments through participation in the National Specification for Access. However, weekend and evening appointments can be accessed through the Extended GP Access Hubs.

Coalpool Family Practice
· The three contracts for Coalpool Family Practice, Harden Family Practice and Blakenall Family Practice will be merged into one contract, making it one large surgery, based across two sites at Harden Health Centre and Blakenall from July 2018.
· There will now be a single reception desk at Harden Health Centre and patients of the combined practice will be able to go to either the Harden Health Centre or Blakenall site.
· Also, from July 01, 2018 Coalpool Family Practice will see a change in contract, which means the practice will be open from 8am until 6.30pm, and will no longer close for half days.
· Evening and weekend appointments will be removed from the main practice contract, however the practice will have to provide some evening and weekend appointments through participation in the National Specification for Access. However, weekend and evening appointments can be accessed through the Extended GP Access Hubs.

Kingfisher Practice
Following the public consultation, which ran between 26 July and 9 September 2017, Kingfisher Practice in Bentley Medical Centre, Walsall will close on Saturday 31 March, 2018. This means if you are registered with Kingfisher Practice you will need to register with another GP.

Keys Family Practice
· The Keys Family Practice will remain open at its current location, however the contract is being procured for a new provider.
· Also, from July 01, 2018 Keys Family Practice will see a change in contract, which means the practice will be open from 8am until 6.30pm, and will no longer close for half days.
· Evening and weekend appointments will be removed from the main practice contract, however the practice will have to provide some evening and weekend appointments through participation in the National Specification for Access. However, weekend and evening appointments can be accessed through the Extended GP Access Hubs.

Collingwood Family Practice
· From July 01, 2018 Collingwood Family Practice will see a change in contract, which means the practice will be open from 8am until 6.30pm, and will no longer close for half days.
· Evening and weekend appointments will be removed from the main practice contract, however the practice will have to provide some evening and weekend appointments through participation in the National Specification for Access. However, weekend and evening appointments can be accessed through the Extended GP Access Hubs.

The CCG has now begun a procurement process. This process applies to all the practices which need new contracts. A procurement is a legally required formal process with rules that provides a fair way of choosing a contract holder.

If you could share this information with your networks it would be very much appreciated.

NHS Walsall Clinical Commissioning Group

@WalsallCCG #staywellwalsall

Email ccgcomms@walsall.nhs.uk

ccgcomms@walsall.nhs.uk

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