Below we have included some of the positives and negatives of relocating practices. Some are from what the NHS and practices think and others from what people shared in the engagement.
Positives
- Bigger, better spaces to provide care
- More services brought together under one roof to improve care
- Some services will be nearer as they move into local areas
- More space to attract and employ more staff
- More space for additional clinical and support roles
- More space to support training, which in turn could support staff recruitment
- More space to provide face-to-face appointments and services
- More space for services such as rapid testing and diagnostics
- More airy, lighter spaces with better ventilation, helping to reduce the risk of infection
- Modern facilities to better address health needs
- Easier access to buildings
- Dedicated space for call handlers freeing up staff to see patients
- Child friendly spaces
- Spaces for community events and services
- Pods where people can access the internet
- More eco-friendly buildings with lower energy bills and neutral carbon footprint
- Free parking, with dozens more spaces
- Investment in the local community
- Savings released from rent on old buildings can help pay for new services
- The buildings would be in public ownership so GPs would not have to invest their own money in providing premises
Negatives
- Some patients may have to travel further than their current GP practice
- Travelling further can incur additional travel costs
- Travelling further can impact on time
- Some patients may have to access additional public transport to get there
- May mean developing some sites currently used informally as green space
- People may feel unsafe travelling into an unfamiliar area
