TWO Swindon GP practices will merge next month.

Old Town’s Hermitage Surgery will be taken over by Westrop Medical Practice, which has surgeries in Highworth and Blunsdon.

The merger has been prompted by the retirement of popular Old Town GP Steve Rhodes.

Today, health bosses moved to reassure patients at the Dammas Lane surgery that the merger would not affect care – saying patients were at the “heart” of their plans.

Dr Sarah Bruen, GP Partner at Westrop Medical Practice, said: "Dr Rhodes and his team have provided excellent primary care services for many years at Hermitage Surgery. We know he will be greatly missed by his patients and staff on his retirement.

“We understand that a change of GP can be a worrying time for patients, but we would like to reassure patients that they are at the heart of all our plans and that we will continue to provide primary care services at all three of our practice sites.”

Dr Rhodes, who qualified as a doctor in 1983, said he was “delighted” by the merger.

“It will benefit our patients, enabling them to continue to receive high quality services from Hermitage Surgery,” said Dr Rhodes. “Westrop Medical Practice is an established practice and I am confident that this merger will have a positive impact on the care of patients.”

Swindon Clinical Commissioning Group’s Paul Vater said: “This is a great example of practices widening their pool of clinical expertise and ensuring a resilient and extended service, meaning patients will have greater choice and increased access to GPs, nurses and other staff.”

Patient registration at the surgeries would not be affected, Swindon CCG said.

Both surgeries are rated as “good” by watchdog the Care Quality Commission.