Brooklands Health Centre, Milton Keynes
The services at Brooklands Health Centre are currently provided by Operose Health on a fixed-term contract which is due to end on 30 June 2023. The process to find a provider is underway, and a new contract will start on 1 July 2023
Letters have been sent to every household with a patient registered at the practice, via post to explain the situation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are general practices?
General practices are small to medium-sized businesses whose services are contracted by NHS commissioners to provide generalist medical services in a geographical or population area.
Most general practices in England are run by a GP partnership. These contracts do not have an end date. Some general practice contracts are also held by corporate bodies, who do not have to be GPs but must employ GPs and other qualified staff to provide services. This type of contract is time limited and has to be reprocured every few years.
Why is the Brooklands contract being renewed?
The contract at Brooklands Health Centre is time limited and finishes on 30 June 2023. Therefore a procurement exercise needs to take place to see who will deliver services from 1 July 2023.
Who will be running the practice from 1 July?
The process to find a provider is underway. As soon as the process allows, we will confirm who the provider is to patients and stakeholders.
What will the opening hours be when the new contract starts?
The opening hours from 1 July 2023 will be 8am-6.30pm Monday – Friday. Appointments will still be available until 8pm on weekday evenings and from 9am-5pm on Saturdays through the ‘primary care network’ (PCN) which Brooklands belongs to and these can be booked by phoning the practice during opening hours. Some of these additional appointments may take place at a different surgery but you will be given full details when you book.
What does this mean for patients?
Patients will not be adversely affected and do not need to do anything. Services will continue from 1 July in the same way as they do now.
We are aware from patient feedback that getting through on the phone and making an appointment has been difficult at times. We want to make sure that things improve and the new opening hours will help improve staffing levels which will make it easier for patients to get in touch and to book appointments when they need to.
What does this mean for the staff?
The practice will transfer over to a new provider on 1 July 2023. All staff employed by the practice will be offered the opportunity to transfer over to the employment of the new provider.
What is a primary care network (PCN)?
A primary care network (PCN) is a group of local practices working together to deliver additional services and better care to their patients.
Which PCN is Brooklands Health Centre part of?
Brooklands is part of ‘The Bridge’ PCN.
The GP practices in ‘The Bridge’ PCN are Brooklands Health Centre, Kingfisher Surgery and Newport Pagnell Medical Centre.
What do I do if I have an urgent healthcare need when the practice is closed?
If you need access to an urgent appointment on Sundays or at any time outside of surgery hours you should go to https://111.nhs.uk/ or dial 111. In an emergency dial 999.
How do I give feedback on these plans?
Patients registered with the practice can complete our survey which can be found at https://eu.surveymonkey.com/r/Brooklands23 – the survey is open until Sunday 23 April. You can also ask for a paper copy at the practice reception if you prefer.
I have more questions, how do I get in touch with you?
Please contact our primary care team on blmkicb.pccc@nhs.net or leave a voicemail message on telephone number 0800 148 8890 and someone will call you back.