Ballymena Health and Care Centre
Three local GP practices based in the Ballymena Health and Care Centre, on the Cushendall Road in the town, have announced plans this week to merge and create one larger practice.
It has been a difficult and turbulent period for General Practice as a whole across Northern Ireland in recent times. This has been nowhere more impacting in the province than here in Ballymena.
Local practices have faced these post-pandemic and underfunding challenges in different ways, while striving to continue offering the best care possible for their patients.
Braid Family, Waveney Medical and Slemish View GP practices, confirmed earlier this week they would merge from Wednesday 3rd April 2024 to form Braid View Medical Practice, with a vision to offering "safe, stable and sustainable" primary care for the local community.
Ballymena Health and Care Centre
A spokesperson for the new Braid View Medical Practice explained:
“For a long time we have been mindful of the instability of General Practice with province-wide practice closures, particularly in the Ballymena district.
"We have given great thought as to how to provide safe, stable and sustainable Primary care in the Cushendall Road site.
"With that in mind, the Braid Family, Waveney Medical and Slemish View practices have been in recent discussions with the Health Board regarding a merging of services.
“With the resumption of the NI Executive and with the continued support of the Health Board, we feel it is the right time to announce, that from 3rd April 2024 these practices will merge to form Braid View Medical Practice."
The practice spokesperson added:
“If you would like more information regarding this merger, please approach your current practice who will be happy to provide you with an information letter.
“We appreciate that this transition will require a period of adjustment and hope we can anticipate your good wishes and support in this time of change.”
Patients of Braid and Waveney Practices need to be aware that there will be renovations happening on the premises for a matter of weeks. Normal service will continue to be provided during this time.
From Wednesday 3rd April 2024, the new phone number for Braid View Medical Practice will be 028 2531 3010.