Brighton GP surgery in Boots is inviting new patients

A GP practice in Brighton has opened a second branch in Boots '“ and it's looking for new patients.
Boots in North Street is set to be the home of a new GP surgeryBoots in North Street is set to be the home of a new GP surgery
Boots in North Street is set to be the home of a new GP surgery

It’s also boasting a new booking system where patients can make appointments, order repeat prescriptions and check their symptoms online.

The Brighton Station Health Centre, an NHS service run by Care UK on Queens Road, has expanded and been renamed ‘Practice Plus Brighton’.

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It has opened a second site on the first floor of Boots on North Street in July and will work alongside the existing surgery at Queens Road, Brighton Station, which also continues to house the well-known NHS Walk-in Centre.

Brighton Station Health Centre on Queens RoadBrighton Station Health Centre on Queens Road
Brighton Station Health Centre on Queens Road

This comes after reports that the walk-in centre could close in March next year, but the local NHS promised ‘a new way of providing non-urgent same day treatment’.

A Practice Plus Brighton spokesperson said its patients will benefit from ‘a comprehensive range of new, improved GP services’ including face to face or telephone appointments available within 48 hours, longer opening times (8am to 8pm) as well as weekend access in both Queens Road and North Street surgeries.

Since it opened in July, the new North Street branch has taken on more than 1,000 new patients.

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Dr Marjorie Gillespie, primary care medical director for Care UK, said: “We’ve looked very hard at what patients want from their GP practice and at what the NHS locally wants us to deliver, as well as at how to make improvements to our existing practice.

Dr Marjorie Gillespie, primary care medical director for Care UKDr Marjorie Gillespie, primary care medical director for Care UK
Dr Marjorie Gillespie, primary care medical director for Care UK

“Brighton and Hove has seen around ten GP practices close or announce planned closures since the beginning of 2015 so we are very aware of difficulties facing NHS primary care in this area.

“We believe strong, sustainable NHS GP services are fundamental to keeping patients well.

“We are pleased to be contributing by opening new premises, new services and additional clinicians to work in our Practice Plus locations in line with the priorities identified by NHS Commissioners.

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“Introducing longer hours and more flexible ways to see or speak to an NHS GP is particularly important for full-time workers and other patients currently struggling to get quick, convenient appointments.

Inside Practice Plus Brighton, North StreetInside Practice Plus Brighton, North Street
Inside Practice Plus Brighton, North Street

“Our core focus is to recruit patients who are not currently registered with a Brighton and Hove GP, whether students, older people with complex or chronic conditions, seasonal or temporary workers or simply those who have moved but not yet found a new NHS GP.

“We know that patients are best assessed and treated by a responsive GP service. If they can’t get to see or speak to a GP, people often choose to go to local hospitals’ Emergency Department (A&E), even for non-urgent treatment which is frustrating for patients and costly for the NHS. Around 30 per cent of patients going to A&E are discharged without needing treatment, so easier access to GP services can make a real difference to NHS resources.

“Anyone who needs to register with an NHS GP in the Brighton & Hove area is welcome at Practice Plus, irrespective of age or medical condition. We very much hope that the investments we’ve been able to make to improve our services, with faster appointments, new technology-supported access options and longer opening times, will make a useful contribution to the continuing development of efficient and effective primary care services for the city.”

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Practice Plus said its news patients can create a detailed online profile, book face to face or telephone appointments, order repeat prescriptions and check their symptoms in advance of a GP consultation.

Inside Practice Plus Brighton, North StreetInside Practice Plus Brighton, North Street
Inside Practice Plus Brighton, North Street

The surgery is looking to attract new patients who are not already registered with GPs in the city, a population it believes to be in the thousands, particularly among the high student population and those people moving into, and within, the city.

To find out more, visit: www.practiceplus.co.uk/registrations

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