GP practices merge to create 30,000 patient ‘super-surgery’ in Kent

As reported by KentOnline, the Albion Place Medical Practice and The College Road GP recently merged

The two surgeries will serve more than 30,000 people and have one of the largest patient lists in Kent. Health bosses have said that the joint practice will have better use of resources across its two sites.

In the last period for which NHS data is available, in May, the College Practice had 13 GPs overseeing 18,762 patients (one doctor per 1,443 people) and the Albion Place had six for its 11,682 (1,947 patients per GP).

Albion Place was criticised by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) for its failings. A 2020 inspection showed that half of the telephone calls were unanswered and some vulnerable patients did not have a named GP.

In January 2022, Maritime Health Partnership was rated ‘good’ by College Practice and took over the contract to run Albion Place.

A spokesman for NHS Kent and Medway said: “College Road and Albion Place practices are run under two separate contracts between the NHS and Maritime Health Partnership.

“By merging these contracts, the practices can achieve more efficient ways of working across the sites and offer patients more services and choice in the future.

In response to concerns that the merger would create longer waiting times, NHS Kent and Medway commented: “It will not affect GP ratios. It is important to remember that not all patients need to see a GP and patients may be offered appointments with other healthcare professionals, such as a nurse, pharmacist or paramedic.

“Together the practices will be able to share additional staff and improve services”.