Will I have to re-register?
No, your records will be transferred to Wish Park Surgery, both surgery’s use the same clinical computer system.
Will my personal data be safe?
Yes, your data will remain secure and protected.
Will I still be able to see my usual doctor and/or nurse?
Yes, you will still be able to see the clinician you usually see. We value continuity of care and want our patients to feel at home at Wish Park. While you may occasionally see a different clinician, rest assured that the existing team at Wish Park is highly skilled, welcoming, and committed to providing excellent care. We are confident you will feel comfortable getting to know the extended team.
Can I still make appointments the same way?
Yes, all existing methods of making appointments remain the same at both surgeries. You can continue to book appointments using the contact options with which you are familiar.
Will the location of the practice be changed?
Yes. All appointments will be held at Wish Park surgery on Portland Road in Hove. The address is: 191 Portland Rd, Brighton and Hove, Hove BN3 5JA.
How can I travel from Portslade to Wish Park if I do not have a car?
You can reach Wish Park easily by bus, with frequent services like the 1, 1X, 6, 49, 700, N1, and 71 stopping nearby. The journey typically takes 10–20 minutes, followed by a short walk. Cycling is also a convenient option, with bike-friendly routes and an estimated travel time of 10–15 minutes. For the most suitable route please use the Brighton & Hove Buses journey planner.
Is parking available at Wish Park?
Wish Park does not have a patient car park, however there is plenty of on-street parking surrounding the practice. There are parking restrictions locally between 10 and 11 am; otherwise, street parking is free of charge.
Will the surgery phone number and email address change?
If the merger goes ahead the number would change to Wish Parks contract information.
Will I have to wait longer on the phone to get through if there is only one phone number?
No, as all staff will be relocating to work at Wish Park Surgery.
Will the opening times of the practice be changed?
No, the practice will continue to be open during core hours, 8:30am to 6:00pm, Monday to Friday.
Will any services currently offered be stopped?
No, we do not have any plans to stop any services as a result of the merger.
Will there be any changes to GP out-of-hours service?
No, services will continue as normal.
Will the merger affect my ongoing care at the practice?
No, your ongoing care will not be disrupted by the proposed merger. You will continue to see your usual doctor or nurse, order repeat medication, use your preferred pharmacy, and make appointments in the same way as before. We believe the merger will strengthen our services by combining the expertise and resources of both practices, giving you access to a more resilient, multi-skilled team and greater flexibility in how care is delivered.
How will maintain quality of care?
The existing Practice Manager and clinical leadership team remain the same across both Wish Park and Links Road, ensuring continuity and consistency in care. We see this merger as a valuable opportunity to bring together the best systems and processes from both practices. Maintaining and improving the quality of patient care is our top priority and will be a key measure of the merger’s success. If you have any specific questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to get in touch—we are here to help, Emma, Tom and Dr Amin would love to hear from you.
Will I still be able to order repeat medication and use my usual pharmacy?
Yes, you will still be able to order your repeat medication in the usual way and continue using your preferred pharmacy. There will be no changes to the current process, so you can manage your prescriptions just as you always have.
Will the practice website change?
No, the format and layout of the website is currently the same for both practices. Patients can continue to access information, book appointments, and use online services just as they do now, without any disruption.
What will happen to Patient Participation Groups (PPGs)?
If the proposal is taken forward, we will combine the existing PPGs from Wish Park and Links Road. We will be speaking to the chairs from both PPGs and the wider PPG teams to discuss how the combined group will look in the future. PPGs and patient engagement are a priority and key focus for both practices, and we will look to grow our PPG. We value patient opinion and feedback and the larger our PPG, the bigger the patient voice. We would very much welcome new members.
Does this mean the practice will be private?
No, the practice will continue to operate as an NHS service. There is no change to our existing contract to provide NHS care to our local community. Patients will still receive the same high-quality services without any private fees, and all care will remain free at the point of use, as part of the NHS.
I am housebound and require home visits, will this service still be available?
Yes, home visit services will continue to be available for housebound patients. The merger will strengthen our clinical team, allowing us to maintain and improve essential services like home visits.
Will Practice boundaries change?
Yes, the boundaries of both practices will be combined into a single, unified practice area. This means patients registered at either Wish Park or Links Road will be part of the same
catchment area.
Updated FAQ’s Week of 16th September
Will the proposed change affect appointment availability or waiting times at Wish Park Surgery?
Wish Park Surgery in Hove is a large, purpose-built facility with a fully equipped clinical team and ample space to accommodate patient appointments. Many local residents are already familiar with attending routine appointments at this site.
On average:
- 697 appointments are delivered at Wish Park each week (around 47% of all appointments).
- 481 appointments are delivered at Links Road each week (around 57% of all appointments).
Some services require specialist equipment and trained staff, which are only available at Wish Park Surgery. These include:
- Gynaecological and contraceptive services
- Blood pressure monitoring
- Spirometry
- Ear syringing
- Certain injections
Under the proposed model, staff currently based at Links Road Surgery will provide these services from the Wish Park site. We do not anticipate any reduction in appointment availability or an increase in waiting times.
Like many NHS services, we are experiencing high demand. Patients can book via telephone (with a call-back option) or online through SystmConnect to request advice or appointments. Our triage system ensures patients are seen according to clinical need.
Consolidating services at Wish Park Surgery will enable us to provide high-quality care in a modern facility, with greater patient safety and access to specialist services.
Are there enough staff at Wish Park Surgery?
Yes. Wish Park Surgery is supported by a large and varied clinical and administrative team. All staff currently working at Links Road Surgery will transfer to Wish Park Surgery, ensuring continuity of care.
One of the main reasons for this proposal is the difficulty in recruiting staff to the smaller Links Road site, where space limitations often result in doctors working alone. This raises concerns for both staff and patient safety.
By bringing the teams together, we can provide stronger peer support, increase appointment availability, and deliver care in a sustainable, modern environment.
Is there enough space at Wish Park Surgery to support the increase in patients and staff?
Yes. Building works are planned to expand clinical capacity and make full use of available space. This will ensure sufficient room for both the growing patient list and the expanded team.
Works are scheduled to begin in November and are expected to be completed by mid-February. Updates and detailed plans will be shared on our website.
Is there enough parking at Wish Park Surgery?
Wish Park Surgery does not currently have dedicated patient parking. However:
- There are pay-and-display bays nearby.
- Local street parking is free after 11:00 am.
- We are in discussion with the local council regarding a drop-off point and additional disabled parking spaces to improve accessibility.
How will I get my prescriptions if Links Road Surgery closes?
Wish Park Surgery is located next to Kamson Pharmacy, which works closely with the practice. Prescriptions can also be sent electronically to your chosen pharmacy.
I’m worried about the environmental impact of travelling to the surgery. What can be done about this?
We are committed to reducing our carbon footprint. Closing Links Road Surgery, which is an old, poorly insulated building, will support this aim.
We also welcome ideas from patients on sustainable healthcare—please share suggestions through our online survey or via our merger email address.
When will the final decision be made?
No decision has yet been made. Patient feedback is being gathered, and an application will be submitted to NHS Sussex Integrated Care Board before the end of October 2025.
If approved, changes will not take effect until early 2026. We will continue to keep patients informed.
Do I need to re-register if Links Road Surgery closes?
No. Links Road and Wish Park already use the same clinical IT system, which makes merging records straightforward. Patients will remain registered with the practice.
Face-to-face appointments will take place at Wish Park Surgery, but additional telephone appointments will also be available for those who prefer this.
What if I cannot travel to Wish Park Surgery for face-to-face appointments?
Wish Park Surgery is:
- A 7-minute drive from Links Road Surgery.
- Around 16 minutes by bus (services every 20 minutes).
- Around 23 minutes on foot.
Home visits will continue for housebound patients, and we are expanding telephone appointment availability.
An Equalities and Health Inequalities Impact Assessment (EHIA) will be completed to review the impact on all patient groups. We know this change may affect some groups more than others, particularly:
- Geographically isolated patients
- Older people
- Patients with long-term conditions
- Carers
We are working with stakeholders, the Patient Participation Group (PPG), and local community groups to minimise the impact on these patients.
Is there anything I can do to help?
Yes—we welcome your feedback. Please share your views via:
- Online survey: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/z7KXxtxK1f
- Email: sxicb-bh.merger@nhs.net
- Dedicated phone line: 01273 412585 (voicemail only—messages will be listened to but not responded to individually).
Your input will help us shape the future of local primary care services.