Exciting news for Coniston Medical Practice!

From Friday (1 October) we will be forming a partnership with Mendip Vale Medical Group. There will be no changes to you, our patients, you will continue to receive general practice services as normal at Coniston Medical Practice.

The partnership will just mean that we will be working closely with Mendip Vale Group to support the future of the practice. One of the benefits of this will be that Mendip Vale Group will be able to share clinical staff and expertise with us, allowing us to continue to provide high quality and sustainable primary care services for the future.

Mendip Vale Medical Group consists of a number of practices serving approximately 60,000 patients. It is dedicated to providing high quality primary care services to all of its patients to ensure their healthcare needs are met, so we are delighted to be forming this partnership with them.

Here are some FAQs that may answer any questions you have. Alternatively, you can ask any questions or feedback to us by completing a form at the practice reception area or by emailing us at: conistonmedicalpractice@nhs.net

FAQs

1. What is happening at the practice?
From Friday 1 October we will be forming a partnership with Mendip Vale Group allowing us to continue to provide high quality and sustainable primary care services for the future.

2. I am a patient at the practice is there anything I need to do?
There will be no changes to you, our patients, you will continue to receive general practice services as normal at Coniston Medical Practice.

3. What does a partnership merger mean?
This new partnership agreement means that Mendip Vale Group will be working with Coniston to improve clinical staffing, which will be carried out through a multi-disciplinary team of GPs, Advanced Nurse Practitioners, Pharmacists, Physiotherapists, Nurses and Healthcare Assistants.

4. Does this mean both practices will merge?
No not at the moment. We will be looking at how we work together over the coming months to ensure our patients get the best possible healthcare.

5. What will this mean for staff at the practice? Will I still see my existing GP?
The current staffing team, including clinical and non-clinical are still working at the Practice. It is therefore expected that this new partnership will further increase our ability to provide you with continuity of care.

6. When will the new partnership take place?
Friday 1 October 2021.

7. Will I still be able to make an appointment with a doctor, nurse or other healthcare professional at the practice?
Yes making appointments will continue as normal and we will provide daily appointments to see doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals.

8. Will my usual surgery opening times stay the same?
Yes. The surgery will continue to be open from 08.00 – 18.00, so there will be no changes to our core opening times.

9. Will there be changes made to the way I book appointments?
We are planning to change our online booking system from askmyGP to E-Consult in the coming weeks to improve the way you book appointments. We will provide more information about this nearer to the time.

10. Will I have to go to another GP Practice site for consultations and/or treatments?
No.

11. Will any service that is currently offered by my usual surgery be removed or stopped?
No. We do not anticipate services being removed or stopped. If anything, we anticipate that this partnership will bring about a greater choice of services.

12. Will there be any changes to how I access the GP out of hours service?
No. In order to access a GP when the practice is closed, you will still continue to telephone the NHS 111 service and they will signpost you to the most appropriate service

13. Will the current arrangements that I have in place for getting my medicines stay the same?
Yes

14. I have further questions I would like to ask and / or comments I would like to make. How do I do this?
You can ask questions or feedback by completing a form at the practice reception area or by emailing: conistonmedicalpractice@nhs.net