THE first of the new providers that will replace the trouble-hit IMH has been revealed.

Swindon Clinical Commissioning Group has announced that Taw Hill and Eldene will have new businesses to run their back office systems.

It follows major problems under IMH's tenure which saw patients facing huge waits to book appointments on the phone.

Taw Hill will become a branch of Westrop Medical Practice from October 1. Eldene will be under the wing of Victoria Cross Surgery as they will manage it from November 11.

The managing partner at Westrop Medical Practice and Swindon CCG clinical chair Dr Sarah Bruen said: “We are delighted to be able to be part of the solution for Taw Hill.

"This merger will not only provide patients and staff of Taw Hill with long-term stability, but allow us to offer a wider range of services to all our patients.”

The GP partner at Victoria Cross Surgery Dr Philip Bauliah said: “We are delighted to be taking over the running of Eldene and are looking forward to providing the quality of service and care that is currently available at our and Eldene's sites.

“We would like to emphasise that Eldene Surgery will be run separately from our existing surgeries.

"The service at Victoria Cross and Eldene Health Centre will not be affected by these changes and we will continue to provide the best quality of care and look for continual improvements to these sites.”

Great Western Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is looking at how it might support Abbey Meads and Moredon. Another Swindon GP practice is in talks to take on Phoenix Surgery.

Nicki Millin is the director of strategy and transformation for Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire CCGs. She said: “We know this has been a difficult time for both patients and staff of these five practices and we thank them for their patience.

"I'd also like to reassure both the patients and staff of Phoenix Surgery, Abbey Meads Medical Group and Moredon Medical Centre that due diligence work with new providers is continuing and we hope to have agreements confirmed in the next few weeks.”

Abbey Meads, Taw Hill, Moredon medical centres and Phoenix and Eldene surgery were taken over by IMH in 2018. There have been major problems since, with four out of the five given an inadequate rating.Taw Hill was the only one rated as needing improvement. The company quit after receiving hundreds of complaints from patients.

Westrop Medical Practice manages Hermitage Surgery in Dammas Lane, Swindon, Highworth Surgery and Blunsdon Surgery. Victoria Cross Surgery is in Victoria Road, Swindon.