Update on the transition of Primary Care Medical services at TG Medical Centre
In January, you were notified that Marine Lake Medical Practice had been appointed as the new provider of primary care medical services at TG Medical Centre. Since that time NHS commissioners have been working with TG Medical Centre and Marine Lake Medical Practice on the transition of care to the new arrangements, which is known as the mobilisation period.
During mobilisation, we have encountered an issue with the lease of the building where TG Medical Centre is currently situated. Whilst we have worked very hard to resolve this, unfortunately more work is needed to transfer the lease to the new provider, which won’t be possible by April 1, therefore we have had to put alternative arrangements in place to ensure services are in place by April 1.
What does this mean for patients?
As a temporary solution, the practice will be relocating to The Concourse, Grange Road, West Kirby, Wirral CH48 4HZ (directly opposite TG Medical Centre).
We understand this may cause you some concern and upset for patients registered at the practice, but please be reassured 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.
Next steps
The new provider, along with NHS Commissioners are committed to open and regular communications throughout the transition to ensure local people are informed and up to date, we will be holding a number of engagement sessions for patients and the public to attend.
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Friday 15 March: 12.30 – 1.30pm at TG Medical Centre
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Tuesday 19 March: 5.00 – 6.00pm at Marine Lake MC
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Thursday 21 March: 5.00 – 6.00pm at Marine Lake MC
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Tuesday 26 March: 12.30 – 1.30pm at TG Medical Centre
If you have any questions you can also call the practice directly on 0151 625 9171.
Find out more: see below for frequently asked questions
Contact us
NHS England (Cheshire & Merseyside) and NHS Wirral CCG are committed to involve local people in the work we do. If you would like to discuss this further, please contact Sara Smith – sara.smith6@nhs.net
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the GP surgery close?
No, NHS England (Cheshire and Merseyside) is committed to the continued delivery of high quality care for all patients registered at the surgery.
We have appointed a new provider (Marine Lake) to take over the practice contract to ensure that you can continue to access high quality primary care services at your local GP practice. Due to issues with transferring the lease for the TG Medical Centre building, registered patients will receive their care at The Concourse building for a short period of time. This is a temporary step and the new provider aims to re-open the TG Medical Centre premises as soon as possible.
Will the location of my surgery change?
Due to issues with transferring the lease for the TG Medical Centre building, registered patients will receive their care at The Concourse building, also located on Grange Road in West Kirby for a short period of time.
This is a temporary step and the new provider aims to re-open the TG Medical Centre premises as soon as possible.
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:
Friday 15 March: 12.30 – 1.30pm at TG Medical Centre
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.
Will I need a new GP?
Not unless you want one. The GP practice is not closing. NHS England (Cheshire and Merseyside) has appointed a new provider to ensure that you can continue to access high quality primary care services at your local GP practice because the contract of the current provider was coming to an end.
Why can’t things just stay as they are?
The current contract was coming to an end on 31 March 2019. NHS England has worked with NHS Wirral Clinical Commissioning Group to put new, long-term arrangements in place. This is normal business for NHS England and will help to ensure stability for the surgery.
What happens to practice staff when someone else gets the contract?
It is usual for practice staff employed by the current contractor to transfer to the new contractor under employment law called Transfer of Undertakings Protection of Employment or TUPE as it is often called. The new provider will work directly with those practice staff.
When someone else gets the contract, how do they know about patient medicines or treatment?
Your care and treatment will not change, 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?
The medical services at the practice will remain the same, however there may be some different personnel, including GPs in the practice.
Will the practice name change?
Following engagement with patient groups, from 1 April 2019, the GP practice will be known as Estuary Medical Practice. Primary Care medical services at the practice will remain the same.
Will appointment times and dates be the same?
In the majority of cases, yes – we are doing everything we 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.
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.
Would opening hours and services remain the same?
Yes, however, we will be trying to ensure that services can be improved where possible to meet patient needs.
Can patients ask to be registered at another practice?
Patients don’t need to do that however, if they would like to register at a different GP 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.
Don’t GPs work for the NHS?
No, most GP practices are independent businesses and are contracted by NHS England to provide services for local practice populations.
Is all this just about cut backs to NHS services?
This is not the case at all. Your GP practice is not closing. The contract with the current provider was time limited and will end on 31 March 2019. NHS England (Cheshire and Merseyside) has simply found a new provider to ensure that you can continue to access high quality primary care services at your local GP practice.
Are other GP practices in the area affected?
No.
I want to make a complaint – how do I do this?
To make a complaint please contact NHS England on 0300 311 22 33 or email england.contactus@nhs.net To find out more about the complaints process please visit the NHS England website at www.england.nhs.uk.
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