Have Your Say on the Future of Your GP Services
Aston Healthcare is proposing changes to the delivery of GP services at its Halewood branch sites, effective from 1st July 2024. These changes aim to improve patient access, enhance service quality, and ensure sustainable healthcare provision for our registered population.
Background
Aston Healthcare currently operates a single Primary Medical Services (PMS) contract, serving 21,836 registered patients across six GP practice sites in Knowsley. Originally, each site was an independent GP practice before being consolidated under Aston Healthcare Ltd in 2006.
While patients often associate themselves with a specific practice site, they have the flexibility to access services at any Aston Healthcare location. Each site provides in-person and telephone/online support for appointments, prescription requests, and general medical advice from 08:00 – 18:30, Monday to Friday.
One of these sites, Camberley Medical Centre, has not provided face-to-face consultations since the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead, patients have been accessing services at Leathers Lane Surgery within the Halewood Centre estate.
Proposed Changes
Aston Healthcare plans to close its two Halewood branch sites—Leathers Lane Surgery and Camberley Medical Centre. Patients will be automatically assigned to Roseheath Surgery, although they retain the right to register with another GP provider if they choose.
This proposal is designed to:
- Consolidate clinical and administrative resources across four remaining practice locations.
- Improve patient access to a wider range of clinical staff.
- Enhance continuity of care and service quality.
- Reduce clinical risks and ensure contractual compliance.
- Strengthen the long-term sustainability of GP services.
Collaboration & Engagement
The proposed changes are supported by Primary Care Knowsley, the GP Federation that oversees both practices. Over the past 2-3 years, the teams in Halewood have been closely collaborating, particularly through the West Knowsley Primary Care Network, delivering extended access services during evenings and weekends.
The Integrated Care Board (ICB) has engaged with all four GP practices serving the Halewood area. None of these practices have raised objections to the proposal, and patients impacted by the changes will have the option to be assigned to another local GP practice if they prefer.
Impact on Patients
If the proposal is approved, Aston Healthcare will continue operating within the Halewood Centre estate. This means that while the branch sites will close, patients will not experience major changes in service delivery.
Our primary goals with this change are to:
✅ Provide sustainable, high-quality care for our registered patients.
✅ Improve patient access to more clinical staff.
✅ Futureproof the practice and enhance recruitment opportunities for clinical staff.
Have Your Say
We value feedback from our stakeholders and want to ensure patient needs are considered in the final decision-making process. You can share your views using the following methods:
📝 Online Questionnaire: Complete the survey here.
📧 Email: Request a questionnaire at pck.bookingteam@knowsleyccg.nhs.uk.
📞 Phone Consultation: Call 0151 902 0015 to arrange a callback with Managing Partner Lee Panter. (Please avoid using the main practice line to keep it free for medical service inquiries.)
📌 FAQs: A Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) sheet is available here: INSERT LINK XXXXX.
📌 If you need this information in another format or language, contact 0151 902 0015 or pck.bookingteam@knowsleyccg.nhs.uk.
🗓️ Deadline for feedback: Friday, 7th March 2024, at 6:30 PM.
Your feedback will play a crucial role in shaping the future of GP services in Halewood. We appreciate your time and input.