THE BIGGEST GP practice in Ilkley could merge with a smaller doctors’ practice at Grassington in North Yorkshire in a move which both claim could provide a more comprehensive service for patients.

The Ilkley Moor Medical Practice and Grassington Medical Practice both plan to hold patient and public engagement events within the next fortnight on the possible changes, and consultation is expected to run until mid April.

The two practices say their joint objectives would be to ensure both communities maintain access to a wide range of services, to give patients access to a greater number of medical staff with a wider range of clinical expertise, and to pool our resources making it easier for patients to access services.

They stress that both practices share the same passion for providing high quality services and have a forward thinking approach to primary care.

But the Ilkley practice has stressed that the merger is still only a proposal – and the patient consultation is part of NHS requirements. Practice manager at Ilkley Moor, Mark Evans, said it was widely known now that GP practices are looking at resilience, and could provide the same level of service, if not better, by working ‘at scale’.

He said: “Ilkley is quite a forward-thinking practice and it shares its values with Grassington.

“We do feel its an opportunity as well to provide more resilience for the future.”

Precise details of how the merge would affect patients, and any changes to services available, have not yet been outlined, however.

The Ilkley Moor practice, one of two GP practices based in the town, at the Springs Medical Centre, Springs Lane, Ilkley, currently has more than 13,000 registered patients, and has the medical services of more then 10 GPs.

Grassington Medical Practice is based Grassington Medical Centre, Station Road, Grassington, and currently serves about 4,000 patients.

Although falling within different local authority areas, Ilkley Moor and Grassington are both member practices of Airedale, Wharfedale and Craven Clinical Commissioning Group.

Grassington Medical Practice’s public engagement session will take place in the reception area of Grassington Medical Centre on Wednesday between 12.30pm and 1.30pm.

The Ilkley session will take place in the Ilkley Moor Medical Practice conference room on Monday, March 30, from 2pm to 3pm. Mr Evans said patients will be able to ask questions about the proposals.