A new management team, which has taken on the running of a Lowestoft GP surgery, is encouraging patients to share their ideas around future improvements.

Suffolk GP Federation has officially taken over the management of the Kirkley Mill Surgery in Clifton Road.

And now it is asking for volunteers to join a new Patient Participation Group (PPG) – allowing people to share ideas for future change.

Jules Styles, director of primary care services at Suffolk GP Federation, said: 'As an organisation we are dedicated to improving services and protecting the long-term sustainability of primary care. To help with this we would very much like to hear from patients about the improvements they would like to see and where they think changes can be made.

'The Patient Participation Group is a great way to do this and I would encourage anyone who is interested to get in touch.'

Suffolk GP Federation is a not-for-profit organisation that represents and is owned by 58 independent GP practices across the county. As well as managing surgeries in Felixstowe and Haverhill, it also delivers several primary care services.

Sadie Parker, director of primary care with NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), said: 'We are really pleased that Suffolk GP Federation has agreed to run Kirkley Mill after our caretaker arrangement with East Coast Community Healthcare came to an end on October 31.

'The Federation has an excellent track record of supporting practices which are facing increasing demand and difficulties recruiting GPs, and bring with them extensive experience of running high quality primary care services for people from across Suffolk.

'We are working closely with them to make sure the transition between providers runs smoothly and that patients do not experience any disruption to the service they receive. We would also encourage patients who are registered at the practice and who would like to have a say about its future to join the Patient Participation Group.'

Patients who have any questions, or who would like to know more about joining the Patient Participation Group, can contact Jules Styles by emailing gywccg.kirkleymillhealthcentre@nhs.net.

Patients who would like more information about the changes can pick up a newsletter from the surgery reception area. There are also updates on the surgery website and Facebook page.