Patients in Great Yarmouth are to benefit from improved and expanded GP services when three of the town’s practices merge next month. 

Newtown and Caister, King Street and South Quay surgeries will join forces from 1 July 2013. The move has been designed to secure GP services for the long term, and has already helped the practices attract two new permanent doctors to care for patients. The new doctors will work alongside the 11 existing GPs at the four sites.

The merger will also give the practices a chance to expand their services, and will see the further development of services including minor injuries and minor surgery at King Street. In addition, the practices will also look into extending the opening hours of both King Street and South Quay.

Jonathan Knights, managing partner at Newtown and Caister Medical Practice, said: “This is fantastic news for the 21,000 patients who receive their healthcare at these three surgeries.

“Previously, as with most practices in this area, our practices have struggled to recruit doctors, but by joining forces we’ve managed to attract two new locally trained GPs, who will take up their new roles in August. Dr David McConnell will be starting at South Quay, and Dr Emma Brandon will join King Street. 

“We are particularly keen to maintain traditional general practice where the patient can get to know their own regular doctor.” 

Patients will still be able to book appointments with their usual GP using their usual practice phone numbers.

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