A Reading GP has reassured patients of the future of their surgery following speculation over their new healthcare provider.

The Potteries Surgeries, formally known as the Tilehurst Surgery Partnership, announced to patients that in order to support the practice and provide high quality NHS services, they are entering into a partnership with Operose Health.

This comes as speculation arose regarding the survival of Operose GP surgeries around the UK.

It was noted that US Health insurer Centene has launched a sale process for it’s chain of nearly 60 Operose GP surgeries in the UK with a deal expected before Christmas.

Despite this, the Potteries have issued a statement reassuring patients that they will continue to “provide patient care and services as usual.”

One worried patient from the Tilehurst-based GP contacted the Chronicle after receiving a letter from the surgery explaining their partnership with Operose.

Speculation about privation of the NHS arose when the US health insurer purchased Operose GP surgeries. Activists viewed the purchase as a sign of increasing privatisation.

A spokesperson from the surgery said: “The Potteries are aware of speculation about the future ownership of Operose Health in the media and online. I would like to reassure you and all our patients that we will continue to provide patient care and services as usual.

“At the same time, Operose Health continues to invest in more staff and new technology to get our patients seen as quickly as possible.  There are no plans for this to change in the future. “

The letter that the surgery sent to patients earlier this month said: “Over the course of the last 18 months we have been exploring a number of opportunities to support the practice to provide high quality NHS services for our patients for the long term.

“This is why we want to tell our patients that the practice will be entering into a partnership with Operose Health from September 1.

“This is an important decision made based on the absolute priority being the patients and residents of Tilehurst and our practice team.

“Together we have developed a plan which sees operose health taking on the contract and supporting us with the back-office functions and systems of the practice.”