Media Release
Monday 5 January 2009

Patients from South Gloucestershire are set to benefit from a new GP-led health centre and a new primary care contract for a GP practice from 1 April 2009. Both will provide patients with increased access to GP services.

Jane Gibbs, Deputy Chief Executive of NHS South Gloucestershire, said, “We are working hard to ensure that patients in South Gloucestershire have increased access to GP services and these two new contracts will help us achieve that. Both contracts were awarded against stiff competition after a lengthy assessment process.”

New GP led health centre
The Orchard Medical Centre will run the GP-led health centre from its premises in Macdonald Walk, Kingswood, from 1 April 2009. The centre will open to patients from 8am to 8pm 7 days per week including bank holidays.

Any member of the public from South Gloucestershire will be able to use the centre by walking in and seeing a doctor or nurse, or phoning to make an appointment in advance. Patients do not need to be registered at the health centre to use it and will be able to use the centre's services as well as those of their own GP surgeries.

"Patients tell us that they want access to GP care at a time that suits them and this new health centre will provide them with access to care for 12 hours a day 365 days a year," said Dr Andrew Havers, chair of NHS South Gloucestershire's Professional Executive Committee.

"The new service will work closely with all practices in South Gloucestershire to ensure that patients GP practices are informed of any care provided and care is provided seamlessly."
 
“At The Orchard Medical Centre we are fully committed to the people of South Gloucestershire and the Kingswood district in particular. We are delighted to have won this opportunity to extend the scope and breadth of the services we can offer,” said Dr Phil Yates, senior partner of The Orchard Medical Centre.

“We believe that our community deserves a medical service that is responsive, accessible and of high quality. Working together with NHS South Gloucestershire' and other local practices, we want any residents, whether registered or not, to use the centre for their convenience and support.”

“Whether it's easy access to high quality contraceptive care, immediate care for injuries or support at weekends for long term conditions such as diabetes or heart disease, we will strengthen our existing high quality team of doctors, nurses and other essential staff to ensure that residents have improved support throughout the week.”

New primary care contract
NHS South Gloucestershire has also awarded an additional 7-year GP contract to the primary care team in Emerson’s Green located at the Blackhorse Medical Centre site in St Luke’s Close, Emersons Green, after the previous partnership at the Centre dissolved over a year ago.

The new contract has enabled the centre to improve its opening times from 8am – 6.30 pm Monday to Friday to 8am – 8pm Monday to Friday and from 9am – 5pm on Saturday.

Dr Gallagher from the Blackhorse Medical Centre in Emersons Green said, “The primary care team is privileged and delighted to have been given the opportunity to provide an enhanced medical service to our practice population. We have designed the new service to incorporate the views of our patients and the local community as to how best their health needs can be met. The extended opening hours from 8am – 8pm weekdays, and Saturday opening is at the core of this new service.  We intend to be a proactive organisation evolving to meet the ever changing needs of our patients, embedded as an integral part of this vibrant community”.

Jane Gibbs, Deputy Chief Executive of NHS South Gloucestershire, said, “These services and the extended hours they will offer patients will substantially increase our patients’ access to services. “

“All but one of our 28 GP practices have now extended their opening hours and we have two surgeries each in Thornbury and Kingswood and three in Yate that treat a variety of minor injuries and ailments and provide emergency contraception.” 

For more information please contact Fiona Reid on 0117 330 2451 or Sue Pratt on 0117 330 2499.

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