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Superpractice to have 380,000 patients following eight-practice takeover

GP superpractice Modality is set to reach 380,000 patients with the takeover of a further eight GP practices that have a combined 33,000 patients.

The new additions are based in Walsall, west Midlands, where Modality already runs another five practices.

The eight APMS-contracted practices will be merged into four when the takeover completes in September, operating from five branches.

NHS Walsall CCG selected Modality as the new provider following a public consultation.

All GP partners will become Modality partners, and all staff will be TUPE transferred. The group said that despite the consolidation, there would be no staff redundancies.

Modality, which brands itself ‘the first national super-partnership in England’, also runs GP practices in Birmingham, Yorkshire, Hull and the South East of England.

A Modality Partnership spokesperson confirmed that, by including the new Walsall practices, the patient population size ‘will be in the region of 380,000’, and it is likely it will exceed 400,000 ‘by autumn’ as the group continues to grow.

Modality Walsall executive partner Dr Narinder Sahota said: ‘We have been providing care here in Walsall for a number of years to many patients and we are proud to be working with the CCG to extend the care we provide to the wider community of Walsall.’

The group said opening times following the mergers will be 8-6.30 Monday to Friday, with evening and weekend appointments also available.

A spokesperson for NHS Walsall CCG said: ‘By merging several GP surgeries, we are creating more appointments and therefore, offering patients more opportunities get see a GP.

‘The changes will also mean that under the new provider half-day closures will be removed from the contracts, enhancing our primary care services and creating even more appointments.’

Total GP numbers for Modality Partnership currently stand at 119 partners and 256 salaried GPs, set to grow by 11 more GPs when the Walsall practices join in September.

Modality formerly counted chief inspector of general practice Professor Steve Field among its partners but he retired from the partnership in July 2017.

The practices joining Modality

From September, Wharf Family Practice, Sai Medical Practice and Manor Medical Centre will become one practice based at Forester Street. Patients who are currently registered at Wharf Family Practice will automatically be transferred to the new surgery 0.5 miles from their current GP practice.

Harden Family Practice, Coalpool Family Practice and Blakenall Family Practice will also merge and become one GP surgery. However, the new surgery will be based across two sites at Harden Health Centre and Blakenall.

Two other practices affected by the contract changes are Keys Family Practice and Collingwood Family Practice. Both these practices will remain open, and they will also be operated by Modality.

Source: NHS Walsall CCG