Two doctors surgeries in Billericay are set to merge after one of the practices was given notice to leave the site by its landlord.

Plans have been drawn up for the South Green Surgery in Grange Road, Billericay to merge with The New Surgery in Stock Road, with a distance of 1.6miles between the surgeries.

South Green Surgery was given notice by its landlord that the building needs to be vacated by November 25 but bosses at the practice say "through negotiation" with the landlord an extension to March 31 next year has been secured to allow time "to consider how this can be managed in the best interests of the patients and staff."

A letter was sent to patients about the proposed merger and bosses insist the merger will see patients access a "wider range of clinical expertise." It also states "The larger team will have more resilience as there will be more team members to cover absences and to step up in response to surges in demand."

Patients are being encouraged to give their feedback by via a survey which will close on November 29 and a patient engagement event was due to be held on November 20 at South Green Memorial Hall, Billericay. The plans also include additional clinical and administrative space at The New Surgery premises.

The letter from Elaine Hemmings Practice Manager at South Green Surgery reads: "Alternative options for premises in the South Green area have been considered but, to date, no suitable premises have been identified. As any new arrangement must be in place before the deadline of March 31 South Green Surgery is proposing to merge with The New Surgery and then to subsequently close the South Green Surgery site.

"This proposal would allow patients to receive continuity of care with staff from South Green relocating to The New Surgery. Patients from both practices will have access to a wider range of clinical expertise. The larger team will have more resilience as there will be more team members to cover absences and to step up in response to surges in demand.

"The New Surgery is located 1.6 miles away from South Green Surgery. The surgery is accessible by local bus routes and has on-site car parking. 

"A response to the survey and the matters discussed at the meeting will be published on the websites of both practices on December 16 2024. If these applications are approved we plan to improve The New Surgery premises to create additional clinical and administrative space to accommodate the patients and staff of South Green Surgery.

"We would also explore developing a branch surgery if any suitable additional premises become available in the future. We have developed a question and answer document to support with patient queries. A copy of this document can be found on both practice websites and paper copies are available at the reception desks. Thank you in advance for your support and patience as we undertake this process."

Patients can complete the survey online at forms.office.com/e/fKdxrA1NzB, by scanning the QR code at the end of the letter, filling in the survey questions attached and email to [email protected] and or completing a paper copy of the attached survey and handing in to the reception team at South Green Surgery or The New Surgery.