Bo’ness GP surgeries to form new joint practice

A new medical practice serving the communities of Bo’ness and Blackness is to be formed by the merger of Forth View GP and Kinglass Medical Practice.

The new GP surgery, to be called Kinneil Medical Practice, will launch in October this year operating out of the two existing premises.

Registered patients have begun to receive letters informing of the upcoming merger – with no action required to merge records or move their registration over.

Helen Hannah, Practice Manager at Forthview, explains the motivation for bringing the two practices together: “This is a positive step for patients in Bo’ness, as we bring together our expertise and resources to better meet the needs of the local population. While forming the new team we are also expanding our capacity by creating additional jobs, with recruitment already underway for a range of multi-disciplinary roles.”

The practice team are working with NHS Forth Valley and Falkirk Health and Social Care Partnership to ensure a smooth and successful transition period, with minimal disruption to care delivery or patients.

Alison McKenzie, Practice Manager at Kinglass, adds: “While there will be lots of work to take forward behind the scenes, we want to reassure patients that they will still be able to access services, care, and their usual GP team in the same ways.

“We hope the new Kinneil Practice will better reflect the community, starting with our new name which nods to the local history. This is an exciting opportunity to form a bigger and better team that can provide the care our patients need within the community.”

Over the summer, the new Kinneil team be providing updates and engaging local people through community councils to ensure everyone is informed about the new practice.

Prior to the merger taking place later this year, patients should continue to access their practice in the usual way.