As you may be aware from the news, over the past few years, GP practices across the country have been facing lots of different challenges. This is true for the team here at Cricketfield Surgery.
We want to provide you with the best care we can and ensure our practice is here to care for future residents.
To do this, the Dr Palmer and the wider surgery team has realised that we needed to do things differently. Over the past year, we have been looking at how we can do this.
After a lot of careful thought and planning, we have decided to work with Operose Health.
Operose Health are another, larger, provider of GP Practices and share our drive to provide you with the best care, and to look after our colleagues.
We truly believe this is the right thing to do for Cricketfield Surgery and we’re excited about the future.
As Operose Health are a larger organisation, they have Health & Safety, HR and IT colleagues (and more) that provide ‘behind the scenes’ aspects of running a GP practice. Operose Health will be supporting us with these back-office functions and ways of working. They will also bring in some new technology that will help us care and support you.
This means that as GPs we can do what we love most – caring for you and your family.
Please Note
You do not need to take any action and there will be no changes to the way you contact or access the surgery. You will remain a registered patient of Cricketfield Surgery and you will continue to see the same doctors, nurses and admin team members that you do now. You do not need to re-register with the surgery or register at another GP surgery.
We appreciate this change may be surprising, but we want to make sure that our GP surgery has a future, so that we can continue to care for our patients in the way that you deserve. Without finding new ways of working, our future would have been uncertain.
We are delighted to have secured a positive future for our practice. Thank you for your continued understanding and support.
Dr Emma Palmer, Cricketfield Surgery Partner
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my GP surgery partnering with another organisation?
We want to continue to provide high quality and sustainable primary care services for our patients for the long-term. We believe that partnering with Operose Health will help us to do this. The partnership is a collaboration between two organisations with the same vision – to deliver great care to our patients.
What does this mean for me as a patient at this surgery?
Nothing will change as a patient at this surgery. You will still continue to receive the high level of care you always have had and will still continue to be seen by the same doctors, nurses and reception teams within the surgery. Any future changes that will affect patients will be discussed with patients during Patient Participation Group meetings.
Will I still see the same doctor?
Yes, you will still be able to see the same practice staff that you currently do.
Will there be any difference in services when I transfer to the new practice?
Please be assured that the surgery will continue to provide you with high quality primary care and you will be able to access all of the services that you currently access at the surgery. You will still be able to see the same practice staff that you currently do. There will be no immediate changes to the day-to-day running of the surgery that you will see.
How did you decide to partner with Operose Health?
This is not a decision that we have made lightly. We are committed to our patients and local community and want to make sure we have made the right decision for them, and our practice team. Before deciding to partner with Operose Health, we looked at a number of options that could help us to support the practice. Based on an evaluation of all these options, we have chosen to partner with Operose Health.
What should I do if I have a routine appointment booked with a GP, Nurse or other healthcare professional?
All appointments booked with the practice will take place as planned. You will continue to be able to book appointments as you currently do.
What if I have just been referred to the hospital?
The partnership will not impact on your hospital referral, appointment or results. Any new test results and hospital results will still be directed to the practice.
Will I still be able to book appointments and order prescriptions online?
Yes, you will still be able to book appointments online and order prescriptions online.
What will happen to my medical records?
Your medical records will remain securely at the surgery and you will continue to be able to view them online.
Will my medical record be shared elsewhere?
Operose Health take the security of patient data very seriously and complete a Data Security and Protection Toolkit (DSPT) each year, as our practice does. They are accredited with the Cyber Essentials Plus certification, and are compliant with GDPR. For clarity and assurance, no patient information is sent to any other country and all patient data is stored in the UK.
Who are Operose Health?
Operose Health are a primary care organisation, we have lots of experience in running multi-site general practice through their network of over 60 GP surgeries and urgent treatment centres.
They have central support teams in place (for example: finance, governance HR and IT), that helps to reduce the administrative burden on GP practices and helps to free up time for the frontline teams to focus on caring for patients. They hold NHS contracts that are commissioned by Integrated Care Boards (ICB), just as our contract is.
It is their mission to provide trusted, high quality and sustainable healthcare for all, improving the health and well-being of the communities we serve.
Does the NHS know about this change?
Yes, we have the local Integrated Care Board (ICB). In line with contractual requirements, we have notified other NHS organisations and regulators such as the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
I have a question that isn’t covered by the information above, what should I do?
For any general enquiries or help with anything, please contact the surgery via cricketfield.admin@nhs.net
