A CONSULTATION on controversial proposals to merge two borough GP surgeries has ended.

Under proposals that have been under consultation for the past few months, Bursledon Surgery could merge with Blackthorn Health Centre.

Currently patients registered with Bursledon Surgery have their GP services provided by Blackthorn Health Centre as a temporary arrangement that was put in place after the retirement of the GP previously running Bursledon Surgery in December 2019.

But now, in discussion with Hampshire, Southampton and Isle of Wight CCG, Blackthorn Health Centre has proposed to make these temporary arrangements permanent from October 2021.

The plans proved controversial after a public survey was launched with councillors voicing their concerns at an Eastleigh Borough Council cabinet meeting last month.

MP for the area, Paul Holmes also raised issue with the proposals, writing a letter to health chiefs and branding the merger as "unacceptable".

During the pandemic meant the Bursledon Surgery was used as a hub for consultations with patients from across the Eastern Southern Parishes with suspected COVID-19 infections and later as a vaccination site.

The CCG said in a statement on it's site: "Whilst Bursledon Surgery has been used for other purposes since spring 2020, patients have been offered ‘face to face’ appointments at Blackthorn Health Centre or remote consultation offered via telephone, video or online.

"The proposal confirms that all GP services for all patients of both practices will in future be provided only from Blackthorn Health Centre. The proposal intends to create a single stable practice able to deliver high quality continuing care to all patients from a single site.

"If the proposal is accepted, it means that the Lowford Centre surgery site would continue to have an important role in the delivery of NHS primary care services within the local area."

If the plans are now passed, the Lowford Centre surgery site would be used as a base for new staff employed by practices across the area to support GPs as well as being used as a base for GP services at evenings and weekends.

The survey on the plans closed on August 27 but the CCG had nothing to add on the proposals at this time.

It is not yet known when the results of the survey and the subsequent decision will be announced.