Two GP surgeries in Eastleigh have merged into a new medical hub.

Archers Practice and Parkside Practice have joined forces under one leadership and clinical team - Eastleigh Medical Practice.

The aim of the move is to improve and enhance patient care and teamwork at the practices.

The new practice will welcome a total of 14,830 patients - with Archers currently serving 6,867 and Parkside 7,963.

(Image: PA)

The merger was proposed by the GP partners at both practices and was due to take place in April 2023 but the move was put on hold.

The team said the partners believe “now is the right time” to pursue the plans to create a single GP practice to provide services from the existing Eastleigh Health Centre site.

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Patients registered at the surgeries will automatically transfer to the new GP practice.

In a letter to patients, the Eastleigh Medical Practice team said the changes will come into force from today, October 1.

They said: “Becoming Eastleigh Medical Practice means we become one team of doctors, nurses, admin and support staff, merge our computer systems and enjoy more appointments.

“We will be less affected by staff sickness and the impact that has on reduced appointments.

“We will be able to grow and develop our Same Day Urgent Appointments in partnership with Boyatt Wood Surgery.

“As a patient, you will notice that Eastleigh Medical Practice will share one space in Newtown Road, one reception, one team of administrators and one clinical team. We have not reduced any staff numbers.

“You will continue to call the same telephone number to contact us for an urgent or routine appointment, blood testing, nurse appointments and HCA appointments.

“Use of the NHS App, e-consult and prescription requests will also remain unchanged.

“This is a smarter way of working, and being prepared for the increasing patient numbers we face.”

Boyatt Wood Surgery will be working closely with the new group practice to help meet rising demand for same-day care.

An Urgent Care Hub will open at the surgery in Shakespeare Road this month, offering same-day appointments with a team of clinicians.

James Roach, director of primary care services for NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight, said: “Archers Practice and Parkside Practice are run by the same partners and applied to merge two separate NHS contracts for GP services into one. This was approved by us and comes into effect from 1 October 2024.

“Boyatt Wood Surgery remains as having its own NHS contract with us, and all three practices work together in a network to offer care to patients across all surgery sites.

“We do not anticipate a change to services for patients due to this NHS contractual merger.”