Links Medical and Our Merger – Frequently Asked Questions
Marine Lake Medical Practice (MLMP) and West Wirral Medical Practice (WWGP)
The following frequently asked questions have been compiled in response to feedback received during Patient Participation Group (PPG) meetings and patient engagement sessions held at both practices throughout September and October.
We understand that changes to healthcare services can raise questions and concerns. We are committed to keeping our patients informed throughout this process and ensuring that the transition to Links Medical is as smooth as possible.
Please find below answers to the most common questions about the merger and what it means for you.
- Why are the practices merging?
Marine Lake Medical Practice (MLMP) and West Wirral Group Practice (WWGP) -known locally as The Warrens, share a commitment to providing sustainable, high-quality healthcare for our patients.
Like many GP practices, we face increasing demand for services, challenges in recruiting clinical staff and rising operational costs. By bringing our practices together, we can combine resources, strengthen our workforce and build a more resilient organisation for the future.
The merger will enable us to work more closely together, make the best use of our resources and continue to deliver high-quality care to our patients across both sites.
- Will there be any disruption to services during the merger?
We are working hard to minimise disruption. However, due to the significant volume of patient records and clinical data that must be transferred as part of the merger, there will be a temporary loss of access to the WWGP clinical computer system from the afternoon of Friday 30 October until the morning of Tuesday 3 November 2026.
Following advice from NHS commissioners, some temporary restrictions will be necessary to ensure the merger can be completed safely.
Important temporary changes to services at WWGP
Patient samples – from Friday 23 October
WWGP will be unable to accept patient samples from Friday 23 October until the morning of Tuesday 3 November 2026.
If you have been asked to provide a sample, please ensure it is returned to the practice before this period wherever possible.
Prescription requests – from Monday 26 October
WWGP will be unable to process prescription requests from 5.00 pm on Monday 26 October until Tuesday 3 November 2026.
If you anticipate needing a prescription during this period, please contact the prescriptions team before 5.00 pm on Monday 26 October so that appropriate arrangements can be made in advance.
We strongly encourage all patients to check their current medication supplies and plan ahead to avoid running out of essential medication.
Test results – please remain vigilant
If you are expecting test results around the time of the merger, including blood tests, X-rays or scans, please remain particularly vigilant.
We will be auditing patients who are awaiting results to help ensure that outstanding results are followed up appropriately. However, if you are expecting a result and believe you should have heard from us, please contact the practice to let us know.
Please note that WWGP will be unable to access or check test results until its clinical computer system has been restored on Tuesday 3 November.
What about MLMP patients?
MLMP patients should continue to access services as normal throughout the merger process.
We apologise for any inconvenience these temporary arrangements may cause and appreciate your patience and understanding while we complete this important transition.
- Do I need to re-register with the new combined practice?
No. Existing patients do not need to re-register as patients.
Your registration will transfer automatically to Links Medical as part of the merger. You do not need to take any action to remain registered with the practice.
Unfortunately, the NHS App will not automatically transfer across for patients registered at WWGP.
The first time you access the NHS App following the merger, you may be prompted to select your GP practice again.
Please select Links Medical if it is available. If Links Medical does not appear as an option, please select Marine Lake Medical Practice instead. MLMP registered patients will not need to complete this step.
- Will I have to attend the other practice site for my appointments?
No. You will continue to receive your care and appointments at your preferred practice site. Following the merger, we will ask you to confirm which site you wish to attend, and this preference will be recorded and respected when arranging your appointments. Patients will not be routinely sent to the other practice site as a result of the merger. Our priority is to ensure continuity of care, minimise disruption and provide reassurance that you can continue to access services at the practice site of your choice.
- What operational changes can I expect?
While we will be operating as one practice, some current processes will change across both sites:
Medication queries
The medication queries telephone line will operate daily from 9.30 am to 12.30 pm.
In addition, a member of the medicines management team will be available at the reception desk at both practice sites to assist with face-to-face medication queries for a minimum of 7 hours a day, Monday to Friday.
Telephone system
We are moving to a shared telephone system, Surgery Connect. This will allow us to coordinate staffing and telephone support across both sites more effectively, enabling calls to be transferred between sites more seamlessly.
For the time being, both practices will retain their existing telephone numbers. However, some options within the recorded telephone messages may change, so please listen carefully to the available options when calling.
Our longer-term aim is to move to a single telephone number for Links Medical within the next few months. We will keep patients informed as plans progress.
Both telephone lines will remain open from 8.00 am to 6.30 pm, Monday to Friday.
Practice websites
For the time being, the existing websites will remain available. You can continue to access them by searching online for The Warrens or Marine Lake Medical Practice.
A combined Links Medical website may be introduced in the future, and we will provide further information if and when this happens.
NHS App
Please see Q3 for instructions on how to access the App post merge if you are registered at WWGP.
- What will happen to my medical records?
All WWGP patient medical records will be transferred electronically as part of the merger and will be accessible from Tuesday 3 November 2026.
MLMP patient records will remain accessible throughout the merger process.
We understand how important your medical records are to the continuity of your care and are taking the necessary steps to ensure that records are transferred safely and securely.
- Will I still be able to access my practice in the same way?
Yes, you will still be able to access the practice in person, by telephone or through the digital front door via the practice websites. Both practices currently use Blinx, and we will be working to bring our digital services together to create a shared digital front door for Links Medical patients.
You will continue to have access to the same services and appointment types, although there may be some minor changes to the way you navigate the online system.
We expect these changes to be straightforward. To support patients during the transition, we are planning to have experienced staff available at both sites during the first week of the merger to help with any IT or digital access queries.
If you experience any difficulties accessing online services, please contact the practice for assistance.
- What will happen to the practice staff?
Our staff are central to the future of Links Medical, and we are pleased to confirm that all existing staff have been retained.
Patients will continue to have access to the same GPs and nurses at the same practice sites they currently attend.
As one combined team, we will work together to strengthen our services, make the best use of our collective skills and resources, and identify opportunities to improve service delivery across both sites.
Our priority remains providing safe, effective and high-quality care for our patients.
Our commitment to you
We hope these answers address many of the questions you may have and help reassure you about what the merger means for your care.
A considerable amount of work has taken place behind the scenes to prepare for this transition and minimise disruption wherever possible. However, as with any significant change, there may be some initial challenges or unforeseen issues.
Please be assured that we will do everything we can to resolve any problems as quickly as possible and keep patients informed throughout the process.
Thank you for your continued patience, understanding and support as we bring our practices together to form Links Medical. We look forward to working with you to build a strong, sustainable practice that continues to meet the needs of our patients and local community.
