TWO GP surgeries are looking to create a shared base in Stroud town centre.

Locking Hill Surgery and Stroud Valleys Family Practice are working together with Stroud Regeneration Ltd to take forward a proposal to Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group for new premises.

A possible location is the old Woolworths building in King Street, where Poundland is currently located.

Both practices would remain separate, but they would be based in the same building.

Locking Hill is currently based off Slad Road, while the other is in Beeches Green.

Representatives from both practices are holding a public engagement event which will take place on November 6 from 3pm-7pm at the British School Hall, to the rear of the Star Anise cafe off Gloucester Street, Stroud.

Speaking about the plans, Stuart Sedgwick-Taylor, business and CQC registered manager of Locking Hill, said: “Our intention is to bring both Stroud Valleys Family Practice and Locking Hill Surgery together, occupying two floors of the building, and we are seeking feedback from our patients, stakeholders and the public on our plans.

"We would like to hear your views on our plans, so that we can take these into account as part of the development.

“At the event we will be able to show you plans and discuss the range of services we are looking to provide, as well as answer any questions you may have.

“During the consultation, we will be able to explain the scheme in more detail and answer questions. Members of both GP practices and the developer, Dransfield Properties Ltd, will be attending.”

Stuart says both buildings are currently too small to provide a full range of primary care for the patient list sizes both practices have.

“Locking Hill Surgery have for some years been working closely with the CCG to find new premises, as our current premises are about half the size, they should be able to meet the needs of our practice population.

“The partners of Stroud Valleys Practice are also keen to move out from Beeches Green Health Centre, which was opened in 1974 and which has little opportunity for further expansion to meet the current and future needs of their patients.”

Stuart said that the new patient services could provide a better range of primary care services for patients, including more minor surgery, contraceptive services, social prescribing, as well as extending the range of clinicians working from the premises such as mental health, midwifery, community nursing, and support staff from other agencies.

He said that the sharing of clinical expertise, administration and other functions including teaching and training, a higher standard of environment, with increased numbers and size of consulting and treatment rooms, as well as a more accessible and visible location for the population of Stroud are all further benefits of the proposed plans.

Several options are also being considered for the future use of both existing GP practice sites, with the partners of Locking Hill practice exploring options that could involve the residential development of the current GP premises.