Nexus - the new name for North Southwark’s merged GP practices

Last week we reported on plans by four NHS GP practices spanning SE1, SE17, SE5 and SE15 to form a single organisation.

The new name – Nexus – was revealed Dr Amr Zeineldine of The Aylesbury Partnership at the end of a patient engagement evening held at InSpire at St Peter's in Walworth on Wednesday evening.

Nexus would embrace the Aylesbury Partnership, Bermondsey & Lansdowne Medical Mission, Princess Street Group Practice and the Walworth Partnership. The four practices operate on eight sites and serve around 60,000 patients.

One of the aims is to provide for Southwark's expected population explosion in the next 10 years said Dr Zeineldine at the opening of the evening attended by fifty patients.

In answer to a question, Princess Street practice manager Catherine Arden said the central administration would be 'virtual'. There were no plans for a new headquarters building.

Patients would still be able to book a routine appointment with the doctor of their choice at the existing locations.

Informal polling at the meeting indicated an increase in patients feeling 'hopeful' and even 'excited' about the proposals once they had heard the details.

The decision on whether to allow the merger will be made by NHS Southwark Clinical Commissioning Group's governing body on Wednesday 10 March.