Telephone: (01722) 714789 Facsimile: (01722) 714702
Welcome to the web site of our country NHS General Practice.
Here you should be able to access all the information that you need to know about this Family
Practice and its staff and services. You can click on these links or use the navigation bar on
the left which will be available throughout the site.
Securing the future of the Fovant Practice
This letter has important news relating to your General Practice, please take the time to read it.
You will be aware that the NHS is changing at an incredible pace to meet the needs of the 21st century, and the demands of scientific progress - the General Practice profession today bears little resemblance to that which I joined nearly 30 years ago. And for many of the reasons that have threatened the viability of village schools, pubs and post offices, the small village practice is also under increasing threat - the trend being toward bigger practices supplying a wider spread of services and choice. As many of you know, I dislike many of the changes in modern medicine, and that has led me to develop my career in new directions. But one of the reasons that I have not retired from General Practice completely is because that might have lead to the practice being closed and you being told to find yourselves another practice in a neighbouring area.
So I have been deliberating long and hard about my future, and the future of your practice. My deliberations have mainly centred on two issues: how I can secure the future of this splendid little practice, which has been in Fovant for 160 years, and how I can secure on your behalf, the most whole hearted and skilled medical services? And I am pleased to tell you all that I have found what I believe is the best solution possible.
I have been in lengthy discussions with my colleagues in the Old Orchard Surgery, Wilton, and we have decided to merge the two practices later this year. This merger will make little difference to the day to day running of the Becher's Brook surgery, which will continue to operate as it always has done. But by being part of a bigger organisation (the merged practices will be one of the largest partnerships in the area) the Fovant Practice will be secure.
And I am delighted to tell you that in August, my good friend Dr Andy Hall, Senior Partner in The Old Orchard Practice, and former Associate Dean of GP Education in Wessex will come to join me in the Fovant practice. Andy will effectively become "Your doctor" as he will be working at Fovant from Mondays through to Thursdays, and I will step back to work in Fovant on Fridays only. I believe that this arrangement will both secure the immediate future of the Fovant practice, and ensure consistent experience and skill in the doctors who you consult. I am sure that Dr Hall's presence here will re-invigorate the service that we offer you and reduce the number of sessions carried out by locums.
This also coincides with Dr Peter Windross completing his three-year contract with us. Peter has made many friends here; indeed many of you have come to rely on his expertise. Peter completed his General Practice Training here and has made an invaluable contribution to the running of the practice. He has worked very hard and with great humour and care - we all wish him well with his future.
You can keep informed of the ever-changing NHS on our web site, and if you let us know your e-mail address if you have one, we can send you alerts of anything newsworthy in future.
Gordon Morse 25.1.07
Last updated February 2007