A GP surgery in Almondsbury has applied to merge with two others in South Gloucestershire to form a single, multi-site practice.

Almondsbury Surgery, which was ranked best in a patient survey earlier this year, has applied to NHS England alongside Hanham Health for permission to merge.

The partners and management teams of both practices, who have been developing the project in recent months, have said that the aim of the merger would be to achieve a robust and sustainable practice, operating “at scale” over a core of three community sites, which includes the surgery in Oldland.

Proposals submitted have asked that the union would take place in April next year, under the banner of Hanham Health, through the direction of a unified partnership board, and a centralised management team.

In a statement announcing the proposed merger, it was said that Almondsbury Surgery would continue to deliver healthcare services to patients from the same location as it currently does and that the merger was not expected to bring about any immediate operational changes.

It added that the group feels the prospects of a successful merger are good, with staff having been engaged staff in the proposals.

A public consultation will be running until September 25, with any and all feedback being reviewed and analysed.

The practices have asked for any of their patients with views or questions on the merger to get in touch, either be emailing ashh.patientconsult@nhs.net, by submitting them on paper to the surgery reception desk or by post, addressed to Emma Williams, strategic practice manager.

Anonymous comments can also be submitted electronically by visiting www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/BT8CCHP

Further information can be found on each of the practice’s respective websites.