I'm looking for some insight from 'insiders'.
I've been notified my GP surgery is considering a partnership with another surgery, not particularly nearby. There's an ongoing consultation with patients. Their website lists the advantages of this - greater flexibility with some special services and more availability of bi-lingual doctors and nurses.
What it doesn't list are disadvantages - what I'm seeking to know is, are there any? The listed benefits aren't of use to me as an individual, but I'd be happy to express a favourable opinion for the 'greater good' as long as there aren't serious disadvantages.
Experience tells me that saving money is likely to be at the bottom of this. I'm particularly worried that it's a stealth route to reducing the opening hours of both surgeries or even closing one of them, by sending patients elsewhere.
The other surgery is about half an hour's walk from mine - I'm not normally afraid of 30 minutes' walk, but might not be up to it if I'm ill enough to be visiting my GP.
Can anyone who works in a GP surgery shed light on this? Any insights would be welcome.