TWO GP surgeries in York are on target to merge by early next month, after patients said they were saddened by - but also understood and accepted - the changes.

More than 300 patients responded to a survey about the merger of Gillygate Surgery with Jorvik Medical Practice, which will involve the former relocating to Jorvik's premises at Woolpack House in Stonebow.

Surgery partners says the proposals were discussed with patients over a four- month period from April to July, including meetings with patient participation groups, letters to patients and an online and paper survey.

Karen Tew, managing partner at Gillygate Surgery, said 80 per cent of the 321 survey responses were from Gillygate patients, many of whom expressed their sadness about leaving the current premises but understood and accepted the reasons for the move.

"Patients welcome the option of Monday evening and Saturday morning appointments and improved access with a lift to the first floor," she said.

"With all GP partners at Gillygate joining the new practice, patients will be able to receive continuation of care, which was highly rated in the survey."

She said some patients expressed concerns about ease of access to the new premises, following the recent closure of the nearby Haymarket car park.

However, she said there were several alternative car parks close to the surgery and dropping off and collecting outside it was easier than at the busy location on Gillygate. "There are several bus routes that stop on The Stonebow and a taxi rank nearby," she added.

Dr David Fair, senior partner at Jorvik, said the new practice team would expand clinical expertise and enable services to be developed to a combined population of more than 20,000 patients.

"Improvement works to change the use of some of the rooms and accommodate the expanding team at Woolpack House is underway and these should be ready before merger," he added.

*Patients from both practices are being invited to an open morning at Woolpack House between 10.30am and 12.30pm on Saturday, which will give them a chance to have a look around the building, meet the team and discuss the merger.