TWO doctors' surgeries in Malvern will be merging later this spring.

The merger of the Malvern Health Centre and the Link End Surgery is described by the NHS as a way of ensuring that continue to receive the best-quality primary care services.

The move will see Link End Surgery leave its current premises at Pickersleigh Road, Malvern Link, and move into Prospect View, less than a mile away along Pickersleigh Road, where Malvern Health Centre is already based.

The NHS says the merger, to take place in April, will result in no job losses, with all GPs, nurses, pharmacists and reception staff coming together to provide services at Prospect View.

It says the merger will:

Improve quality of care;

Bring together best practice from both surgeries;

Increase patient choice with more GPs and nurses offering expertise in different clinical areas; Work from purpose-built premises with facilities for the disabled;

Offer a greater choice of appointments with early morning, lunchtime, evening and weekend times available

Dr Joyce Bennett of Malvern Health Centre, said: “This is a positive change to the way that primary care services are delivered in Malvern. Both practices share a similar culture and ethos, prioritising quality of care for our patients.”

“The merger will mean patients have a choice of more GPs and nurses in one venue.”

Dr Georgina Williams of Link End Surgery, said: “It’s been a challenging two years, but we are delighted to be merging with like-minded colleagues who also value a holistic approach to general practice.

Dr Ameet Deshpande of Link End Surgery, said: “These are exciting times and we’re very optimistic for the future. We look forward to welcoming patients to our new home.”

Patient participation groups at both surgeries were consulted about the changes and they were both positive about the merger.

They will be working with the practices and NHS South Worcestershire Clinical Commissioning Group to ensure the move is as smooth as possible.

Patients wishing to find out more about these changes can visit malvernhealthcentre.co.uk or linkendsurgery.nhs.uk, or call their practice.