ELY S Octagon and Lantern surgeries, based at the city s Princess of Wales Hospital, have merged their receptions. The change means that there will be just one area at the Octagon handling patients for both surgeries. It is hoped the move will end patie

ELY'S Octagon and Lantern surgeries, based at the city's Princess of Wales Hospital, have merged their receptions.

The change means that there will be just one area at the Octagon handling patients for both surgeries.

It is hoped the move will end patients' confusion that the two surgeries are working independently.

Practice manager Jezz Davies said "For some time, the surgeries have operated with a single list of patients.

"Quite understandably, however, the perception of many patients is that there are two surgeries working independently. "

It is one of a number of changes being implemented following a public meeting in February when about 200 people attended to register their protests about the way the Octagon surgery was run.

Patients were angry because they claimed ever-changing locum doctors with little knowledge of patient history were making life difficult.

A Patient Participation Group (PPG) with 60 members was set up after the meeting to work with the Cambridgeshire Primary Care Trust to award a contract

for the running of the practice and secure long-term

stability.

Matthew Smith, assistant director of primary care at Cambridgeshire PCT, said: "The PPG has developed its priorities for the new service which includes better continuity of care and access and the PCT has built these into the tender specification.

"In the meantime, PCT and practice staff are working hard to stabilise staffing and improve services. New doctors will soon be in permanent posts, and further developments to improve the running of the practice are underway."

Neil Page, interim chair of the group said: "The interim committee currently meets once a month. We plan to hold the first general meeting of the PPG in the autumn.

"We will also take the opportunity to further our understanding of the needs of patients."

Anyone who would like further information on the work of the PPG can contact members at ely-ppg@hotmail.co.uk or complete the tear-off slip at the bottom of the newsletter which is available at the surgery.

The contact number for the new Octagon and Lantern surgeries reception is 01353 669923.