TWO west Dorset medical practices have announced plans to merge.

Charmouth Medical Practice partners Dr Martin Beckers and Dr Sue Beckers have plans to retire in 2021 and services in Charmouth are set to continue under a merger arrangement with Lyme Bay Medical Practice.

The surgery in Charmouth will remain open as a branch and patients registered there do not need to do anything.

The merger is currently set to begin from April 7, 2021.

Dr Martin Beckers, of Charmouth Medical Practice, said: “We see this as a very positive and constructive move forwards, which aims to preserve general practice services for our registered patients. The medical facility at Littlehurst in Charmouth will be redesignated as a branch surgery to ensure its survival.

"Joining forces offers many additional benefits to patients and practice alike. As a bigger organization we will be more sustainable, more attractive to recruiting new clinicians, offering increased opportunities for clinical and non-clinical staff and greater access for patients to the skills within the combined GP and nursing teams."

Patients registered with either practice do not need to do anything to continue receiving care as normal and no changes are anticipated to the way appointments are made.

Any current treatments, medications or investigations will not be affected by the plans to merge.

Dr Forbes Watson, chairman of NHS Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group and GP principal in Lyme Regis, said: "I believe this is a very positive step for local medical services. Working together we will have more opportunity to develop what we provide for the residents of Lyme Regis and Charmouth during the Covid pandemic and beyond."

Patients of the practices have bene sent a letter informing them of the merger, which includes a list of frequently asked questions to help clarify what the merger means for them. The letter also offers patients the opportunity to email or write in if they have further queries.

Regular updates will be published on practice websites and emails will be sent to patients whose email addresses are on the practices' systems.

If you would like to be included, please ensure you contact your practice and supply them with your current email address.