MELKSHAM’S remaining two GP practices say they have plans in place to ‘absorb’ the increased workload caused by the closure of St Damian’s Surgery.
According to Giffords Surgery and Spa Medical Centre, new staff – such as a ‘first contact’ physiotherapist, a clinical pharmacist, and care navigators – will help deal with the increased demand, and will help GPs and nurses to provide ‘the right care, at the right time’.
The two practices have spoken out in response to concerns from patients who told Melksham News that they already find it difficult to get appointments, and that they are worried this will get worse when St Damian’s closes.
Up to 2,500 St Damian’s patients have until the end of March to decide if they want to continue as patients of Bradford on Avon and Melksham Health Partnership (BoA&MHP) by using their surgery in Bradford-on-Avon; or switch to the town’s two remaining GP practices,
Since July last year, BoA&MHP, Giffords Surgery and Spa Medical Centre have been working together as the Melksham and Bradford on Avon Primary Care Network (PCN) – and the PCN has explained that they have been working to ensure that the future healthcare needs of the town can be met.
Clinical director for Melksham and Bradford on Avon PCN, Dr Jonathan Osborn, told Melksham News, “The three practices that comprise Melksham and Bradford on Avon PCN have been working together, and with Wiltshire Clinical Commissioning Group commissioners, to provide the best healthcare coverage for our local area.
“We have spent a significant amount of time in analysing the likely future healthcare needs of our residents, and have sought to attract new staff to the surgeries to deal with increased demand.
“One such example is that we have employed a first contact physiotherapist working between Spa and Giffords surgeries who will offer specialist help for people with recent-onset problems with muscles, joints and bones. We have also recruited another clinical pharmacist and are interviewing for care navigators (‘social prescribers’).
“All these professionals bring their specialist skills to our team, and help our GPs and nurses to provide the right care, by the right professional, at the right time.
“Whilst we are busy, we believe that we have plans in place to increase capacity and absorb the increased workload. We understand the reasons that the BoA&MHP partners decided to apply for the closure of St Damian’s, and want to continue to support them.”
