Seven GP surgeries in Somerset will officially merge after Christmas following approval from local health commissioners. Symphony Healthcare Services, a subsidiary of the Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, manages these practices across four contracts within the South Somerset West primary care network (PCN), as well as other surgeries across the county.
In late July, Symphony expressed its intention to combine these four contracts, covering seven surgeries, into one. This consolidation is designed to enhance service delivery and provide a wider range of healthcare options across all sites. The NHS Somerset Integrated Care Board (ICB), which oversees the allocation of health funding in the county, has now approved the merger, expected to take effect in mid-January 2026.
The South Somerset West PCN includes the following surgeries:
- Ilchester Surgery (operating under the same contract as Buttercross Health Centre)
- Martock Surgery (linked with South Petherton Surgery)
Each practice currently holds a ‘good’ rating following recent inspections by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
Under the new arrangement, all surgeries will operate collectively as ‘Symphony South Healthcare,’ while each will retain its original name and local presence.
Kerry White, Managing Director of Symphony, along with other health partners, outlined the changes in a letter published on November 19 on Symphony’s official website. She explained, “Bringing all our practices under one primary care contract will maintain services at each location and allow our teams to access a shared medical record system, improving care coordination for our population.”
White emphasized that the combined contract will enable service improvements and enhancements for patients, including benefits from recently established acute and contact hubs.
Importantly, there will be no immediate changes to clinical or administrative staff at any of the seven locations. Patients will not need to re-register with their current practice, nor will they be required to switch surgeries. Appointment requests will continue to be prioritized based on clinical need, but patients may choose to be seen at a different surgery within the network if an earlier slot is available.
A detailed FAQ for patients and their families is available at www.hamdonmc.co.uk/sswpcn-contract-merger.
White concluded, “We thank our patients, stakeholders, and healthcare partners for their support and patience during this transition. We are excited to unite as one to deliver high-quality care to our community.”
At this time, Symphony has not disclosed whether similar mergers will be proposed for other practices under its management.