Ledbury's two GP surgeries will merge in February, under the banner of Taurus Healthcare.

Both surgeries, which are on Market Street, "will continue to operate from both locations".

Patients for each surgery received letters this week, giving details of the forthcoming partnership.

The letter, signed by Dr Wendy Hunter for St Katherine's Surgery and by Dr Mike Hearne, managing director for Taurus Healthcare, which already runs The Market Surgery, states that the aim of the partnership is to "ensure sustainable GP services for the residents of Ledbury and the surrounding area".

The letter states: "The process will be as seamless as possible, with little disruption to patients.

"As we develop our new organisation, we will be working with patient participation groups from both practices to ensure that patient views are represented."

Patients at the surgeries will not need to re-register, and no staff will be made redundant by the merger.

Patient choice will be boosted "with more GPs and nurses", but patients should still be able to see their own doctor "depending on availability".

Taurus Healthcare took over the management of the Market Surgery in 2018.

Taurus is a General Practice Federation that was set up in 2012 by twenty GP practices "to support the long-term sustainability of general practice and allow practices to work together collaboratively".

It currently operates an extended hours service at 'hub's in Hereford, Ross and Leominster, as well as the GP out of hours service.

The new partnership in Ledbury will published responses to queries and further information in the countdown to the merger.

Feedback is being welcomed at:

ledburygp.enquiry@nhs.net