Chadderton merger promises even better service for patients

Patients in Woodlands and South Chadderton are set to receive an even better health service after two of the borough’s oldest surgeries resolved to pool their resources.

The Woodlands Practice, serving over 9000 patients, and the South Chadderton Health Centre, are merging in a bid to provide more specialized services in primary care.

The move will also ensure that the South Chadderton practice survives and continues to thrive and does not meet the same fate as so many smaller surgeries across the UK.

Dr Anita Sharma from South Chadderton said: “There is a huge increase in the number of GP practices wishing to merge their practices with another one from their locality but also with others further afield.

"In an increasingly challenging environment, small and single-handed practices’ survival is just not possible.” 

A growing list of patients, less space to operate in and the pressures of dealing with cases usually seen at hospitals have also played their part.

But Dr Sharma also believes that the move benefits patients because they will enjoy both experience and expertise. 

“The practices complement each other because we at South Chadderton have been forerunners in women’s health, whilst Woodlands has been commended for its care of respiratory problems."

                                                     Gynaecology Expert

Aside from being a popular family GP practice with a lively patient support group, Dr Sharma has been Oldham’s primary care specialist in gynaecology.

She recently launched a campaign called Endometriosis Awareness North, the first drive in the North of England to bolster knowledge about this debilitating condition.

Her practice is Homeless-Friendly and has run plenty of proactive initiatives including walking groups for older folks and support sessions for men with prostate cancer. Dr Sharma was also one of the medics in the entire UK to inoculate people with learning difficulties against COVID-19.

Dr Samuel Kemp, from Woodlands said: “Both practice buildings are not as good as they might be and so the merger allows us the space to increase the number of employees we can have and plan for the future.

"We’re all professionals together and are all here to do a good job and there isn’t much distance between the two surgeries, so we will be able to see children under five and patients sent to us by NHS 111 and A&E within 24 hours.

“Woodlands patients will see how a bigger and even more experienced team is able to offer all kinds of new treatments.

"South Chadderton, which may be the smaller of the two surgeries, can look forward to more GPs and specialist staff being available meaning faster appointment times and less need to venture away from their local practices for treatment.” 

Practice merger is a complex process and both practices have been addressing patient and staff concerns and integration of IT system. Both practices expect some teething problems but they are confident of one thing—the merger is the way forward. 

Learn more about the Endometriosis Awareness North campaign, by going to https://www.facebook.com/EndoAwarenessNorth 

 

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