Proposed merger between Hanway Medical Centre and Portsdown Group Practice

A Portsmouth GP practice which operates from two sites has organised two public meetings for its patients to find out more information about its plans for a merger.

Hanway Medical Centre is proposing to merge with the Portsdown Group Practice from May 1, 2020.

The proposal would need to be approved by NHS Portsmouth Clinical Commissioning Group, which is not expecting to receive the application papers until March.

Hanway runs from two sites – its main building in Hanway Road, Buckland, and a branch in Stubbington Avenue, North End.

The medical centre has written to patients to explain the reason for the proposed merger.

It has also organised patient meetings on:

* Wednesday January 8, at St Wilfred’s Church, George Street, PO1 5RT starting at 4pm
* Friday January 17 at Buckland Community Centre, Malins Road, PO2 7BT starting at 6.30pm.

Portsdown Group Practice will also be holding a meeting for patients who may have questions about the impact the proposed merger could have on its services at Kingston Crescent – the closest GP surgery to Stubbington Avenue.

Kingston Crescent is also an equal distance of around a half-mile between Hanway Road and Stubbington Avenue.

In making its decision, the CCG will need to consider if the merger is the best option for ensuring the 14,000 existing Hanway patients get continued access to primary care services in the future.