Public meetings give people chance to hear more about IMH involvement with local primary care
“The CCG understands how difficult accessing primary care services has been for patients since IMH began working with these practices."
The meetings will also provide concerned members of the public with a forum in which they can hear updates on work to identify new providers, as well as ask questions to the CCG’s Executive team.
Taking place at the Western Community Centre in Cheney Manor on Monday 2 andTuesday 3 September, both meetings will follow the same agenda, with the first being held in the evening between 6.30pm and 8pm, and the second being held in the morning between 9.30am and 11am.
The meetings, which are being held at different times to ensure as many people as possible are able to come along, have been arranged following calls from members of the public for more information on IMH to be made available.
Dr Sarah Bruen, Clinical Chair, Swindon Clinical Commissioning Group, said:
“The CCG understands how difficult accessing primary care services has been for patients since IMH began working with these practices.
“Over the last few months, we’ve spent a lot of time meeting with members of the public, and one of the clear messages we’ve been given is that patients want more information and this is a unique opportunity to provide that.”
“Not only will we be able to explain how the partnerships came to be and discuss future plans, but we will also use the time to build a constructive dialogue with the very people who have been affected by what has happened at their local practice.”
“Of course, there’ll be a chance for questions too and our hope is that people will come away from these meetings feeling more informed and, most importantly, reassured that things are steadily moving in the right direction.”
IMH’s involvement with the five GP practices – Abbey Meads Medical Group, Taw Hill Medical Practice, Moredon Medical Centre, Phoenix Surgery and Eldene Surgery – began in 2018 after GP partners from each surgery took the decision to go into partnership with the firm.
In May 2019 – following a series of long-running operational issues that, among other things, made it difficult for patients to contact their surgery and book appointments – the decision was made for IMH to withdraw from primary care in Swindon.
Since then, the CCG has been providing interim support to each of the practices while work continues behind the scenes to identify alternative NHS-based providers that can work with the practices on a long-term basis.
Share your views
Those wishing to attend a meeting are encouraged to reserve their place in advance by sending an email containing their details and which meeting they will be attending to communications@swindonccg.nhs.uk.
