Three Carlisle GP practices are set to merge into a new super practice serving 38,000 patients across the city.

But doctors have stressed that the existing surgeries will be retained, rather than combining on one site.

The practices affected are North Carlisle, St Paul's and Brunswick House.


Dr Craig Melrose Dr Craig Melrose, of North Carlisle Medical Practice, said letters are currently going out to patients explaining the move.

The merger came about following discussions about how they could work more closely to help with issues such as recruitment. This led to some nurse practitioners being taken on to work across the three practices.

Dr Melrose said they have since realised that being part of a bigger practice would bring many other benefits for patients.

"It's really come out of a shared ambition to do the job better than we are currently able to," he explained.

"The role of the GP has evolved. It's now about primary care as a whole, addressing all the needs of patients outside hospital.

"There are other skills we could use, such as a physiotherapist or mental health worker, but small pockets of GPs can't afford to employ someone like that. If we work together we can.

"That then frees up the GP to use their skills in the best way."

In terms of buildings, he stressed there are no plans to merge the practices on to a single site. 

Patients will still be able to see their usual GP in their usual surgery. However he said those who live nearer to another surgery can use that if it's more convenient.

"It's about using the buildings we've got to the best effect. Delivering care in the most effective way," he said.

In future, Dr Melrose hopes there will be scope to improve some of the surgery facilities or build new, but he said their intention is to retain a presence in all areas of Carlisle.

"The north of Carlisle is very lucky to have a fantastic new building. Others are older. For example Brunswick House is a more traditional GP surgery in a converted terraced house with stairs. It limits access for patients however much you try and improve it.

"There would be some logic in moving forward with new buildings, but spread across the city. There is a tentative idea of building something in the south similar to what we've got in the north. But that's a long way off. It's nothing more than an idea.

"We will not be changing anything initially in terms of buildings and there shouldn't be any significant change for patients. 

"The aim will be to maintain continuity of care for patients. That's really important to them. We know that matters."

Together the practices have five buildings - the three main surgeries along with branches surgeries in Eastern Way and Arnside House, Harraby.  One advantage, he said, is that in busy periods patients who may otherwise have had to wait for an appointment could potentially see a doctor more quickly at another site.

The new super practice has yet to be named, but is likely to be Carlisle Healthcare or similar.

The plan is to formally merge on October 1. 

Prior to that, added Dr Melrose, there will be full consultation with patients, once the plans are more concrete.