Weymouth Bay Medical Practice created by merger

Dorchester Road Surgery and the Royal Crescent & Preston Road Practice have merged and are now known as the Weymouth Bay Medical Practice.

The merger had been set to take place in April, but patients received notification that it had taken place on Thursday, May 23.

The GPs will keep their names and can be contacted in the same way as usual. The opening hours of both surgeries will also remain the same.

This merger will bring together the individual practice systems into a single system, which all patients will be automatically transferred into, along with their health records.

Read more: Weymouth GP surgery merger 'will offer many benefits'

The team behind the merger: Dr Chris Nelson; Sandra Maddison; Dr Emma Casson; Dr Wayne Knight; Dr Jo Young; Dr Sharlina Sallehuddin (Image: NHS Dorset)

This merger is to allow for a more efficient use of resources and skills and to improve recruitment. 

It comes at a time when pressures on the health service, in particular GP practices, are extremely high.

The statement sent out to patients by the now joint practice said: "We are pleased to inform you that the merger between The Royal Crescent and Preston Road Practice and Dorchester Road Practice has now taken place.

"The new name for the merged practice is Weymouth Bay Medical Practice.

"Your named GP will remain the same and you should still please contact your usual surgery, Royal Crescent, Preston Road or Dorchester Road, in the same way.

"Thank you for your patience and understanding during the merger and we look forward to working together, caring for the patients of Weymouth Bay Medical Practice."

Earlier this year, patients of both practices were invited to attend the event at Weymouth Rugby Club to find out more about the upcoming changes to the practices.

On Tuesday, March 12, more than 100 people came to the event to have their questions answered on the merger.

Staff from the surgeries, along with patient participation group representatives and NHS Dorset were on hand to answer questions and address any concerns that people had.

Patients were told the merger wouldn’t change their ability to see their usual doctor or nurse, and appointments would be made in the same way they already are.

In a previous statement, Dr Emma Casson, GP Partner at Dorchester Road Practice said: “A great deal of thought and planning has gone into this merger to ensure a smooth and successful transition.

“It will offer many benefits to patients and our practices alike. It will mean we can combine skills within our GP and nursing teams, and hopefully be more attractive to recruiting new clinicians, making us more sustainable.”