Text size
Change contrast
The Royal Wolverhampton Trust (RWT) and Dr Whitehouse integration
Are The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust (RWT) merging our GP practices with other GP practices across Wolverhampton?

As part of her retirement plans, Dr Whitehouse has approached RWT to become part of the Trust’s Primary Care Network (PCN). This has meant asking colleagues at RWT to take on the General Medical Services contract in order to continue providing primary care services.

What is a Primary Care Network (PCN)?

A PCN consists of groups of general practices working together with a range of local providers, including across primary care, community services, social care and the voluntary sector, to offer more personalised, coordinated health and social care to their local population.

Becoming part of the RWT PCN will enable us to improve access and work more closely with local providers to ensure better co-ordinated care.

What will this mean for me as a patient?

Over time, RWT aim to increase the number of services and locations to access services in primary care. These services include, sexual health clinics, First Contact Physiotherapy services, Mental Health nurse appointments, social prescribing and Advanced Nurse Practitioners.

The Practice of Dr Whitehouse are working together with the eight practices in the PCN, and with RWT, to develop plans for closer working together between hospital, community and GP services.

When is this happening?

From 1st April 2023.

Why is this happening?

Following a retirement, there are very few options available to contract holders to ensure the future of the practice. The other options would have had a big impact on you as patients and it was felt that RWT were the right organisation to manage the contract considering their success of managing primary care.

Following a government report into the future of the NHS (NHS Five Year Forward View) all healthcare organisations across the country are being encouraged to think differently and the model of vertical integration has worked in Wolverhampton. RWT’s approach to primary care is focused on what will work best for the people of Wolverhampton.

Will there be any change to the GP services I receive?

No. Our intention is to work with the existing Trust teams, our new GPs and the local commissioner to improve our GP services and ensure your needs are consistently met.

Will I still be able to make an appointment to see my usual GP or nurse?

Yes. We very much value all the one-to-one relationships our patients have with our doctors, nurse, and other clinical staff.

Will there be any change to how I book an appointment?

No. We are not anticipating any changes to the way you book appointments. One of the things we also hope to achieve and provide over time is quicker access to services.

Will my information be shared with RWT?

From 1st April 2023, RWT will become directly responsible for the delivery of care at the practice. Patient data will continue to be shared between the practice and the Trust for direct care purposes. More detail can be found in our Privacy Notice which is available here: https://www.royalwolverhampton.nhs.uk/patients-and-visitors/privacy-ico/our-services/primary-care-services-privacy-notice/

If you have any further questions, please get in touch with us by emailing rwh-tr.primarycare@nhs.net.
The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust