Temporary Changes to Services – October and November 2026
Important Patient Information: Upcoming Merger with Marine Lake Medical Practice
On Monday 2nd November 2026, we will be merging with Marine Lake Medical Practice to form our new practice, Links Medical.
You can read more about the merger by clicking here. Please note that a detailed FACT sheet with what to expect about the merger will be coming shortly, however, we feel it important to highlight known service disruption at this time.
Why will services be affected?
Due to the significant volume of patient records and clinical data that must be transferred as part of the merger, we will temporarily lose access to our clinical computer system from Friday afternoon, 30th October, until Tuesday morning, 3rd November 2026.
Unfortunately, this will inevitably cause some disruption to our normal services.
We are doing everything we can to minimise the impact on patients. However, following advice from NHS commissioners, we need to introduce some temporary restrictions to ensure the merger can take place safely.
Important Changes to Services
1. Patient Samples – From 23rd October
We will be unable to accept patient samples from Friday 23rd October until the morning of Tuesday 3rd November 2026.
Please ensure that any samples requested by the practice are returned before this period, where possible.
2. Prescription Requests – From 26th October
We will be unable to process prescription requests from 5pm on Monday 26th October until Tuesday 3rd November 2026.
If you believe you will need a prescription during this period, please contact our prescriptions team before 5pm on 26th October, so that appropriate arrangements can be made in advance.
We strongly encourage patients to check their medication supplies now and plan ahead.
3. NHS App – Changes to Your Registered Practice
Following the merger, patients using the NHS App will need to reconnect to the new practice, Links Medical, which may initially appear as Marine Lake Medical Practice.
In order to do this, you will need your NHS number. Please log into your NHS App before the 30th October to make a note of your NHS number, or you can find your NHS number using this NHS website.
4. Test Results – Please Be Extra Vigilant
We are asking patients who are expecting test results around the time of the merger, including blood tests, X-rays and scans, to be particularly vigilant.
We will be carrying out audits of patients awaiting results to help ensure that outstanding results are appropriately followed up.
However, if you are expecting a result and believe you should have heard from us, please contact the practice to let us know.
Please be aware that we will be unable to access or check test results until our clinical computer system is restored on 3rd November.
5. Blinx – Same As Usual
You will be able to submit digital health forms as usual during the merger. However due to limited access to patient records during the data transfer, you may find that the service is reduced and slower than normal. We will endeavour to provide good safe clinical care where possible but please do not be alarmed if the usual response time regarding a date for appointment is more than the stated 48 hours. If you have not heard by Thursday 5th November please get in touch.
Do I Need to Re-register with the Practice?
No. There is no need for any existing patients to re-register.
Your registration will automatically transfer to Links Medical as part of the merger.
We will be providing further communications shortly, explaining more about the merger and what patients can expect.
What Happens After the Merger?
We will make every effort to restore normal services as quickly as possible following the merger.
However, the technical process of merging our clinical systems is being undertaken by NHS IT teams and is not something the practice can directly control.
While we are planning carefully to minimise disruption, there is always the possibility of unforeseen technical issues during a merger of this scale.
We therefore ask patients to bear with us during the first few days following the merger, while our teams work to ensure everything is running smoothly.
Thank You for Your Understanding
We appreciate that these temporary restrictions may cause some inconvenience, and we sincerely apologise for any disruption.
Our priority throughout this process is to maintain patient safety and ensure a successful transition to Links Medical.
Thank you for your patience, understanding and continued support.
The Practice Team
