Horton Bank Top and The Ridge merging? What it could mean for GP patients

The proposal would see Horton Bank Top Medical Practice join three surgeries linked to The Ridge Medical Practice at Great Horton, Wibsey and Buttershaw.

The struggle to run smaller GP practices under current staff pressures was cited as one of the reasons behind the proposed changes.

Horton Bank Top Medical Practice would remain in the same building while access to prescriptions would not change.

A letter sent out to patients said: “It is proposed that Horton Bank Top Medical Practice and The Ridge Medical Practice will merge into a single practice with effect from April 1, 2023.”

Public meetings to discuss the proposals will take place at the Horton Bank Practice between 2pm and 4pm on November 9 and 6pm to 7pm on November 23.

Why are Horton Bank Top and The Ridge merging with each other?

Horton Bank Top Medical Practice revealed more details about why the plan has been created and what it means for patients.

A message on the GP surgery’s website said: “GP practices have changed and developed a lot over recent years and there is a lot more care that is managed from the GP practice than there ever used to be.

“There are also a lot more rules and processes that need to be followed to meet the requirements of the NHS than there used to be.

“There is also a significant shortage of workforce (GPs, Nurses and support staff) at this time which makes recruiting new staff very hard.

The Ridge Medical Practice in Great Horton. Picture: Mike Simmonds, Newsquest (Image: Newsquest)

“All this means that it is very hard for small GP practices to remain sustainable and effective in current times. Care can be more efficiently managed through a larger organisation that will ensure that access to services can be provided when it is needed.

“The two practices are located close to each other and already work closely together. Over the last few years, GP practices have been working in groupings known as ‘Primary Care Networks’ or PCNs. Horton Bank Top and The Ridge are in the same PCN (with three other local GP practices) so are already working together jointly on a number of areas.

“The GPs and leaders at both practices share the same values and approach to providing care for their patients and think that overall they can run a better GP practice as a combined organisation that will benefit all patients of both practices. 

“The practices will unite together under The Ridge Medical Practice name which will be retained.”

The surgery said the two reception teams could potentially merge into one “over time” and use a single phone number.

Horton Bank Top Medical Practice, pictured (Image: Newsquest)

Will Horton Bank Top Medical Practice close?

The GP surgery’s website reads: “No, the existing Horton Bank Top building on Great Horton Road will continue to operate as will all three of The Ridge surgeries at Great Horton, Wibsey & Buttershaw.”

The notice adds: “All the staff in both practices will remain, and continue to do the same work in the same places as they do now. You will still access care at the same place where you do now. Over time patients will be able to access care at any of our four locations should they choose to do so – for example, if it got you an appointment sooner or if you wanted to see a particular doctor.

“All your existing repeat medications will carry on as they do now and it will not affect your nominated pharmacy for collecting your medicines.

“We understand that making changes to local GP services can be unsettling, but we will make sure all patients have access to safe, high-quality patient care and we will do everything we can to make the change as seamless as possible should it go ahead.”

Are you a patient at these practices? What do you think to the proposals? Email newsdesk@telegraphandargus.co.uk or contact us here.

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