A DOCTOR'S surgery in Limeside will close at the end of next month after plans to merge it with another practice has been "denied", it has been reported.

St Chads Medical Practice, based at St Chads Centre on Lime Green Parade, will shut at the end of March after proposals to merge it with CH Medical on Fields New Road were not successful, the surgery has said.

Patients registered at St Chads have been sent letters about the situation with people wanting to sign up at CH Medical welcome to do so.

Last year, an inspection by healthcare watchdog, the Care Quality Commission, which found St Chads was "good" in all areas, revealed there were 3,137 patients registered there.

St Chads' clinical team and staff will be moving to CH Medical.

In a post on social media, a practice spokesman said: "We are sad to say that the proposal to merge St Chads and CH Medical has been denied and unfortunately this means the surgery will be closing at the end of March 2022.

"Letters have been sent to the addresses of all registered patients at the practice to advise of the closure and next steps.

"All the clinical team and staff at the practice will be moving to CH Medical to continue to provide care and continuity to patients.

"Anyone wishing to register with CH Medical is more than welcome to do so. Registration forms are available from St Chads' reception or from CH Medical.

"Some staff members at the practice have worked at the surgery for over 20 years and are part of the original team that moved into the building from Acacia Road, back in the early 2000s.

"We will all genuinely miss the patients and families that we have watched grow and flourish.

"We are truly sorry that this has had to happen and would like to thank all of our patients for their loyalty, patience, best wishes and kind words.

"We hope those that can, will join us and wish those that are unable to all the best for the future."

A message seen by The Oldham Times, which was sent by St Chads, expresses that it is "really important" that patients "register with another practice as soon as possible to ensure" their "continued healthcare".

In response to the situation, an NHS Oldham Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) spokeswoman said: "NHS CCG was notified of St Chads Medical Practice’s decision to serve notice and terminate their contract to practice.

"Therefore, the practice will close on March, 31 2022 and its patients will be required to register at an alternative practice of their choice.

"We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause patients.

"Patients have been sent a letter informing them of these changes and also the locations and contact details of other GP practices close to St Chads Medical Practice for them to contact and organise registration."

St Chads and CH Medical have been approached for comments about why the merge between the two surgeries did not happen and how the practices will be supporting patients.