Medical merger

Patients informed

Strathaven Medical Practice has picked up the contract for an East Kilbride surgery.

Letters have been issued to patients in East Kilbride and Strathaven confirming that a merger with a practice at the Alison Lea Medical Centre has now been completed.

Health chiefs insist patients will benefit.

Strathaven Medical Practice has picked up the contract for an East Kilbride surgery.

Letters have been issued to patients in East Kilbride and Strathaven confirming that a merger with the Alison Lea Medical Centre has now been completed.

The change follows the resignation of Dr Helen McNeil in April at the Calderwood-based facility.

Both practices will be known collectively as the Lanarkshire Medical Group.

Alison Lea look after nearly 3000 patients and have five members of staff.

The Calderlea Surgery and Strathcalder Practice, which are both based in the Alison Lea Medical Centre, will operate as normal.

A selection panel – which included GP and patients – considered the bids.

Alistair MacKintosh, primary care manager for NHS Lanarkshire, believes patients will benefit from having a larger organisation.

He said: “Under the merger, each practice will retain their own name and operate from their existing practice locations but will collectively be known as the Lanarkshire Medical Group.

“While maintaining a personalised approach, the merger enables the group to maximise the benefits to patients offered by a larger organisation, including a greater choice of clinicians and services.

“The practice has written to all patients to explain what’s happening and to reassure them that they will continue to receive a high standard of care in the transition period.”

More information can be found at www. strathavenmedicalpractice. co.uk