A GP surgery is set to close its doors in March, with all staff moving to the practice's other site.

Halefield Medical Centre, on Halefield Street, St Helens, will close on March 31 this year after an application for its closure was approved by the St Helens Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG).

Halefield is a branch of Ferguson Family Medical Practice, whose main site is at Berrymead surgery in Parr.

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Patients will still be able to see the doctors and clinicians at the Berrymead Medical Centre, which is located on Berrys Lane.

A CCG spokesperson said the closure would help "secure the future" of the practice in "an ever-changing NHS landscape".

Following the closure, all staff from Halefield will be based at Berrymead, the CCG said.

Letters informing patients of the upcoming closure have been posted and the CCG says engagement with patients was undertaken ahead of the decision, with a majority indicating they were happy with this.

A spokesperson for NHS St Helens CCG said: “An application from Halefield Medical Centre to the CCG to close their surgery was approved at our recent primary care committee and the surgery will close on March 31, 2020.

“Halefield is a branch surgery of Berrymead Medical Centre and patients who are currently registered with Halefield Medical Centre will still be able to see the doctors and other clinicians at the main site.

"Engagement with patients was undertaken prior to the closure decision with the majority indicating they were happy with this.

“Any patients that wish to re-register with other GP practices in the area will be supported to do so and the CCG is working with both practices to hold a number of drop-in information sessions in the coming month."

They added: “The closure of Halefield Medical Centre and consolidation to one site will help to secure the future of the practice in an ever changing NHS landscape and ensure that patients receive the best care possible.

"All current Halefield clinical, reception and administrative staff will be based at Berrymead Medical Centre which will enable the practice to provide a more efficient service and help to cope with increasing workloads.

“If patients have any queries about the practice closure, we ask that they contact the practice directly.”