A £200,000 package has been announced to help with the merger of two Nottingham GP practices with a combined number of almost 10,000 patients.
Patients at Springfield Medical Centre in Bulwell will be moved to St Albans and Nirmala Medical Centre in April next year after the partners at the surgery, Dr and Mrs Mohindra, announced their retirement.
Springfield's 2,529 patients were issued a letter on October 11 informing them that they would be automatically transferred to the neighbouring practice, which cares for 7,349 patients.
An unease has been expressed by patients and the Nottinghamshire Local Medical Committee (NLMC) over the transfer to the Operose Health-run surgery, which is a UK subsidiary of US health insurance company, Centene.
In an effort to help with the merger, a £200,000 investment was announced by Operose to build two brand new consulting rooms, expand the waiting room and refurbish the reception area and two treatment rooms.
GP Dr Oke Olaleke said: "This investment is fantastic news for our patients and our staff. We are a growing practice, and our patients deserve to be seen in a modern, comfortable and spacious surgery.
"As well as providing more space to treat patients, it will also give us more flexibility for social distancing during the pandemic, helping us all keep safe.”
Speaking at the Nottingham and Nottinghamshire CCG Primary Care Commissioning Committee last week (Wednesday, December 15), chief executive of the NLMC Michael Wright said: “There is nervousness about this, there is nervousness about Centene or Operose’s expansion.
"So it is a big concern and I think a lot of GPs are a bit concerned about this."
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