A BOURNEMOUTH doctor's surgery is being re-launched with new training for staff and a different name after its own patients rated it the worst in Dorset.

Alma Medical Centre will close between September 13 and October 1 to allow refurbishment to take place before it re-opens as Winton Health Centre.

During the refurbishment work patients will be offered appointments at neighbouring Network practices (Westbourne Medical Centre, Denmark Road Medical Centre and Leybourne Surgery) – with transport provided should there be a medical need, said Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group. Appointments can be booked using the existing Alma Medical Centre phone number and online services.

The Alma Partnership received a rating of just 58 per cent overall satisfaction in the annual GP Patient Survey which was published last month. The county's best-rated GPs, Corfe Castle Surgery, received 99 per cent overall.

The refurbishment will provide an opportunity for staff to undergo training in a number of areas, said the CCG, including Care Navigation which will help patients receive the most appropriate support and help make the care from the GPs more effective.

"All patients will receive written advice beforehand explaining how to ensure they can receive primary care services during the refurbishment and information will also be available to pick up in the practice," said a spokesman.

Clinical Director of Poole Bay and Bournemouth Primary Care Network, Dr Stephen Morgan, said: “We want to be absolutely clear that the practice is not closing or moving. Over the past few years, Alma Medical Centre has not received the investment it needed to provide a pleasant environment for patients that supports good care. This refurbishment means we can re-open with a new look to give patients of the practice a much better experience."

He said the PCN had also looked closely at staffing requirements and will have new clinical team with a dedicated senior GP to lead to practice, along with a supporting clinical team and non-clinical staff. "This means we are no longer relying on temporary cover which has been necessary in the past," he said.

Around 7,500 patients are registered with Winton Health Centre.