BOROUGH LANE SURGERY
NOTICE TO PATIENTS
FUTURE PLANS FOR THE PRACTICE
PROPOSALS FOR THE MERGER OF BOROUGH LANE SURGERY AND THE
RECTORY PRACTICE
The GP partners in each of the practices have been considering options for improving our services
to our patients and are proposing to integrate our services. We are asking you, our patients, to
provide feedback and support for the proposals, before moving ahead.
The aim of the merger is to provide a stronger base which will allow patients to have access to a
greater choice of clinicians, a wider range of services and further extended opening hours. Not only
will this lead to more efficient services but it will also provide an opportunity to develop further
innovation in the future.
General Practices in Saffron Walden, like others across the country, are facing a number of major
challenges. By being proactive and introducing changes now, we will be in a much stronger position
to meet those challenges as they arise.
Ideally we would like to move into purpose-built premises from which integrated services can be
provided to our patients. As a first step, we are currently in discussion to merge our two practices –
Borough Lane Surgery and The Rectory Practice. The Questions and Answers document below
provides more details of the proposal.
Before we proceed, it is obviously important that we hear the thoughts of our patients and
understand their views.
Please provide comments and questions by:
 Using our feedback form - available in the waiting rooms or on the websites:
www.boroughlanesurgery.nhs.uk
www.rectorypractice.co.uk
 Emailing the practice managers –
linda.ainscough@nhs.net or
jan.law@nhs.net
 Telephoning the practice managers:
Linda Ainscough - 01799 520001,
Jan Law – 01799 581711
An open public meeting will also be held on Monday 8 December 2014 at 7.45pm at St Mary’s
Parish Rooms to discuss the proposed merger and answer any questions
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Q1
Which practices are involved?
Borough Lane Surgery and The Rectory Practice
Q2
When is this likely to happen?
It is hoped to merge the two practices on 1 April 2015
Q3
What difference will this make to me as a patient?
The new practice is determined to maintain the family-friendly services that are currently experienced
in both practices, despite it becoming a bigger practice. You should see very little change in the
services that you receive as a patient, other than in the premises that you will attend (see below).
Both practices currently have excellent access for appointments and this will continue in the new
practice.
Q4
What services will the new practice provide to its patients?
All the services that are currently being provided by the practices will continue but patients will have a
greater choice of doctors, nurses, location. Some services will improve due to the larger scale eg
specialist clinics, more extended hours, improved secretarial services. This larger practice will also
provide a wider basis for increasing services in the future eg additional specialist consultations, further
involvement in training student doctors, GPs and nurses, research
Q5
Will I still be able to see the GP/ nurse of my choice?
All the doctors and nurses that are involved in your care will be available at the new practice. There
will be additional choice in the clinicians that you see, if you wish.
Q6
Where will the new practice provide services from?
Currently the two practices have a total of 3 surgeries – 2 in Saffron Walden and 1 in Great
Chesterford. It is planned to reduce to 2 sites only – 1 in Saffron Walden and 1 in Great Chesterford
– during 2015. The longer-term plan is to move to new purpose-built premises in Saffron Walden but
in the meantime the new practice will use The Rectory premises. All of our combined patients will be
able to book appointments at either of the premises. Both the telephones and the clinical computer
system (including appointments) will be linked and accessible from either site.
Q7
What will happen to the existing Borough Lane premises?
The Borough Lane premises will be either sold or leased to a new tenant
Q8
What will the new practice be called?
The new practice will be called Crocus Medical Practice
Q9
Who will be the doctors in the new practice?
The partners in the current practices will all be involved in the new practice: Dr Cathy Cowley, Dr Alice
Hodkinson, Dr Jenni Lindford, Dr Clive Paul, Dr Philip Sills. They will continue to be assisted by Dr
Hilary Binns, Dr Jane Weir and other GPs and nurses.
Q10
Will there be extended opening hours at the new surgery?
Borough Lane Surgery currently offers extended hours on Tuesday evenings. The Rectory currently
offers extended hours on Friday mornings. Both of these extended hours will continue and will be
available for all patients of the new practice.
Q11
Will the new practice still dispense medication to me?
If you live more than 1.6Km from a chemist and are currently a dispensing patient, the new practice
will continue to dispense to you.
Q12
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What are the challenges GP Practices are facing?
Doctors are needing to see more and more patients more frequently (and these numbers will increase
with an ageing and increasing population)
Many GP practices, including these two, are experiencing significant reductions in funding from the
NHS
Changes in regulations take up more administrative time and costs, regardless of the size of the
practice
Premises are now required to meet modern standards which are hard to meet for older house
conversions
Practices need scale in order to enable specialist medical staff to provide a wide range of clinical
services locally