A virtual public meeting is to be held about the proposed merger of two Redruth GP practices later this summer.

People are being given a new opportunity to have their say on the idea to join Manor Surgery and Clinton Road Surgery, which have around 17,000 registered patients combined.

They want to hear local views to help shape their future – including what new services would help meet people’s clinical needs.

Kernow Local Medical Committee said that under the plans continuity of care would continue, with patients seeing the same GPs and other frontline professionals they are familiar with.

Existing services would be retained, and new ones – including some traditionally provided in hospitals – would be added.

The preference would be to maintain the Manor Surgery site and expand into an adjacent building at the Redruth Health Clinic.

This would give patients access to local GP services from one central site, with car parking and good access to public transport. It would also provide the space needed to offer more care locally, said the committee.

The two GP practices have already been working closely together at these premises for the past year and the merger would formalise arrangements and allow for long-term planning.

The virtual public meeting will take place on Tuesday, April 20, from 6pm 7pm, when Dr Andrew Craze and Dr Debbie Bugg – senior partners at Manor Surgery and Clinton Road Surgery respectively – will outline the proposed merger, its potential benefits and answer questions.

They will be joined by the chairs of the patient participation groups from both GP practices.

People can join the virtual public meeting by typing https://bit.ly/3svq2NG into a browser like Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome or Firefox, where they will be able to ask questions and share comments via a chat box. They can also submit questions ahead of the event by writing to the practice manager at their GP practice as soon as possible.

Dr Craze said: “The proposed merger will provide accessible ‘family doctor’ services for the local community. Patients can be assured of friendly, inclusive and respectful high standards of clinical practice from a forward-thinking team. We are part of the local community and will work with our patients, local groups and other stakeholders to improve the health and wellbeing of people living in Redruth.”

Dr Bugg added: “Under our merger plans, patients will still be able contact their preferred doctor from either surgery. There will also be a wider variety of GPs and other practitioners to choose from, all of whom have their own area of expertise.

“Our ultimate aim is to bring other services to the surgery, such as specialist nurses and mental health practitioners – and in time we may host consultants from hospitals.”

Both GP practices are rated ‘Good’ by the Care Quality Commission and have above average ratings in national GP patient surveys. They are, however, looking to enhance patient experience further, after listening to feedback, including launching improved telephone systems.

Engagement about the proposed merger has been taking place in recent months including with patients – with over 1,100 filling in an online survey – the two local patient participation groups, Healthwatch Cornwall, partners in the local health system, Redruth Town Council and the Health and Adult Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee.