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Patient letter regarding merger
We are joining the computer systems of Newton Place Surgery and Faversham Medical Practice between 14th and 20th August 2026. Our merged Practice is called Faversham Medical Group. We expect this work to be finished by 20 August 2026.
Your GP practice is not closing.
Both Faversham Medical Practice and Newton Place Surgery practices and buildings will stay open.
Patients registered at Newton Place Surgery will not be affected during the process and will be able to access services as normal.
Merger helpline
- You can call us on the usual practice phone number to reach a merger helpline.
- This helpline will be available from 10th August to 21st September 2026.
We will ensure continuity of care for our patients with on-going health care issues
As a practice, we will work to meet the needs of the local community and listen to the views of our patients.
Thank you for your understanding while we complete this work. We remain committed to providing safe, high-quality care for all our patients.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the system merger?
A computer system merger is when two GP surgeries join their medical computer systems together so they work as one.
This means your medical records from both practices are brought into a single, secure system. It helps staff see the same up-to-date information about you, wherever you are seen, and should make your care more joined-up and efficient.
When will the two practices’ computer systems join together? The computer systems for Faversham Medical Practice and Newton Place Surgery will be joined between midday on Friday 14th August 2026 and 8am on Thursday 20th August 2026. Our new practice is called Faversham Medical Group. We expect this work to be finished by 20 August 2026.
What will happen during the merger of our computer systems?
Faversham Medical Practice patients will only be able to access emergency appointments during this period, no routine appointments will be available including GP, nurse and health care assistant appointments.
Patients registered at Newton Place Surgery will not be affected during the process and will be able to access services as normal.
How will online services be affected?
Faversham Medical Practice patients:
- Online services for Faversham Medical Practice (such as the NHS App, Patient Access, MyGP, etc.) will be switched off by the NHS systems providers during the merger of the computer systems.
- If you try to use online services, they will not work and will show an error message.
- Please do not contact the practice about this error – it is expected while the computer systems are merging, and we will not be able to help you during that time.
- After the merger, online access for Faversham Medical Practice patients may take a few days to be set up again.
- Once everything is working again, the NHS recommends patients should use the NHS App.
Newton Place Surgery patients will not be affected
Will I still be able to order repeat prescriptions during the merger of the computer systems?
Faversham Medical Practice patients:
- We will not be able to issue routine repeat prescriptions during the merger of our computer systems.
- If you think you may run out between 14th and 20th August please request any medicines and dressings you will need over these dates well in advance, so you do not run out.
Newton Place Surgery patients will not be affected
Will other services be affected during the merging of our computer systems?
- Other services we provide at Faversham Health Centre and Newton Place Surgery, X-ray, physiotherapy, audiology, ultrasound scans and eye clinics, will continue as normal.
- Essential routine appointments for dressings by our practice staff will continue.
- During the merging of the clinical systems, we will be providing additional staffing in our Urgent Treatment Centre.
The Urgent Treatment Centre will be open as usual.
Do I need to re-register with my GP practice after the merger?
No. If you are already registered with Faversham Medical Practice or Newton Place Surgery, you do not need to register again.
How do I book an appointment after the merger of our computer systems?
This will not change. You will still be able to book appointments:
- by phone
- by coming to reception
- online
The phone numbers will stay the same for both practices.
What will happen to my health records and test results after the merger of our computer systems?
As there are more patients registered with Newton Place Surgery than Faversham Medical Practice, technically the records of patients registered with Faversham
Medical Practice will be transfered to Newton Place Surgery’s computer system, to become Faversham Medical Group. You do not need to take any action for this to take place.
Will online access be affected once the computer systems have merged?
Newton Place Surgery patients can continue to use their NHS App and any other online services as normal.
Faversham Medical Practice patients
After the merger, the NHS recommends Faversham Medical Practice patients should use the NHS App for online services (such as booking appointments, ordering repeat prescriptions and viewing their records).
If you currently use any online system other than the NHS App such as Patient Access, MyGP or any other online system, the NHS recommends you move to the NHS App. This means you will need to register for the NHS App even if you already use another online service.
If you already use the NHS App
Either: If you proved your identity with photo ID (for example a passport or driving licence):
- Your NHS App account should update automatically to the new merged practice. You should be able to carry on using it as normal once the merger is complete.
Or: If you did not use photo ID or video to prove your identity:
Your NHS App may not update automatically. You will need to set up a new NHS login.
Please follow the instructions below:
- Delete your NHS login
- Set up a new NHS login
- Install the NHS App again and select Faversham Medical Group as your practice.
For help with the NHS App:
Can I still see my usual GP after the merging of our computer systems?
Yes. You will still be able ask to see your usual GP, as you do now for both practices.
Will I still go to the same building after the merging of our computer systems?
- You will still be able to use both sites.
- Most services will continue in the same building you use now.
- Both sites will be open Monday to Friday, 8.00am to 6.30pm.
- Some services, such as Covid and flu vaccinations, may be offered mainly at one site so we can run larger clinics (for example, on Saturdays).
Which services will change, and are there any new services?
- Covid and flu vaccinations are mainly provided at Faversham Medical Practice, which allows us to run Saturday clinics.
- We are always looking at how to improve access and provide new services.
- As part of this merger, we have already added more Saturday services, such as blood tests for Newton Place Surgery patients.
Will the Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC) change?
No. There are no planned changes to the Urgent Treatment Centre.
What happens to my health records and test results after the merging of our computer systems?
- Your medical records and test results will stay safe and complete.
- After the merger, our clinicians and staff will still be able to see your records in the same way as before.
- You will also be able to see your own records again via the NHS App once the merger work is finished and your online access is set up.
Is there a helpline for questions about the merger?
- Yes. You can call us on your usual practice phone number to reach a merger helpline.
- This will be available from 10th August to 21st September 2026.
We will keep the FAQs on our Practice websites up to date with any new questions and answers.
Published: Jul 6, 2026
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