Two GP practices in Swindon will officially merge on Friday and patients are being reassured that this will not affect the way advice, care and treatment is accessed.

Carfax Medical Centre in Swindon Health Centre will become a branch site of Kingswood Surgery on Kingswood Avenue.

The move is designed to increase the availability of specialised staff at each surgery including mental health nurses and physiotherapists.

The effects of the merger will be felt "behind the scenes" as clinical teams from both surgeries will come together and share resources, according to a senior GP partner.

Patients at both surgeries have been told that they do no need to re-register. They do not need to travel to a new site for an appointment and the way appointments are booked will not change.

An open morning is in the works for a Saturday in April to give patients the opportunity to receive more information and to meet new team members.

Staff at Kingswood Surgery will manage both practices.

Dr Philip Mayes, a senior GP from the surgery, said: “The merging of the GP practices is a very positive move, and ensures that the thousands of patients registered with both practices will continue to receive an equally high standard of care.

“Patients will not notice a difference in how their healthcare is provided, and we will not be expecting patients of one surgery to travel to a new site for their appointments.

“The impact of the merger will be mostly visible behind the scenes, where the teams will begin to work in a more joined-up way to share resources, expertise and ongoing learning across geographical boundaries.”

Kingswood Surgery and Carfax Medical Centre are part of the Brunel Health Group primary care network, which brings together 14 Swindon GP practices.

Swindon's Clinical Commissioning Group, which oversees the provision of GP services in the region, approved the merger at a public meeting on December 9 2021.

Patients can find out more by visiting their GP practice's website.

Anyone with questions about the merger is encouraged to send an email or contact the CCG’s Patient Advice and Liaison Team via email at scwcsu.palscomplaints@nhs.net or over the phone by calling 0300 561 0250.