You can see the latest updates from the practice here:

NHS Patient Survey Results

You can see and compare our practice with others on our most recent patient survey carried out by the NHS, click here to view the results.

Links to websites

https://gp-patient.co.uk/compare?practices=A84035#

Shingles

All adults turning 65 on or after 1st September 2023, those aged 70 to 79 and those aged 50 and over with a severely weakened immune system are eligible for a shingles vaccination if they haven’t already had one. Shingles can be very painful, so if you’re eligible for vaccination and haven’t yet had it, please contact us on 01661 243050 so that we can book you an appointment. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/shingles-vaccination/ https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/shingles/

Accessing your GP-held records via the NHS app or NHS website

As your GP practice, we have been asked to provide you with, no later than 31 October 2023, access to your full medical record going forward via the NHS app (and NHS website) if you have a suitable NHS login.

Your GP medical record contains consultation notes based on conversations between you, your GP and their team: medicines prescribed to you; all test results including hospital investigations; allergies; vaccines; and your medical conditions along with documents that may have been sent from local hospitals, clinics or other agencies, eg the police. There is likely to be sensitive and personal information within your medical record.

We are supportive of providing you with access to your record, but we wish to do this safely and make you aware that this is happening so that you can opt out, if you so wish. You may wish to speak with us first to understand what it is that you will see, and the risks which may be involved in having such confidential data either on your smartphone with the NHS app installed or online if other people might have access to that information through your devices. If you are in a difficult or pressured relationship for example, you may prefer your records to remain accessible only to those treating you, with them not appearing on your smartphone or online. Government has been clear that if a patient does not wish to have access, then we do not have to provide it. This is one reason why we have asked if you wish to opt out, or have it switched off for the time being.

It’s important to remember that these documents may, at times, contain information that could be upsetting, especially if they contain news of a serious condition. It can also be a cause for worry seeing results online when it isn’t clear what the results might mean, and no one is available to ask, as can be the case during the evening or at weekends, for example. 

Sometimes people with a mental health condition might prefer not to see documents that remind them of difficult times in their life. Letters from mental health teams sometimes go into detail about past events, and great care would be needed in deciding whether you would want to see these letters. It is possible for individual items to be hidden at your request and your GP would be happy to talk about any concerns you may have.

Requesting access – what do I need to do?

The easiest way to get access is to create an NHS login through the NHS app. Although you can also access your GP records via the internet on a computer, the first bit is easiest if done through a smartphone. If you don’t have one, you may have a family member or friend you trust who can help you. You can also ask your practice receptionist, but you’ll need some proof of who you are, e.g. a passport, driving licence or household bill.

Kindness and courtesy to our team

Our team members arrive each day ready to help and support our patients. We know that at times, appointment availability is challenging, but our team will always try to find the best option for you. We cannot offer an appointment on the day if your problem is not urgent. We have worked hard to try and balance patient needs with the availability of appointments, and while we may not always get this right, our staff will do their best to try and accommodate your needs.

We appreciate your patience with our team. Winter is challenging for appointment availability due to increased illness in our patients. While our team are working hard, we really appreciate your kindness and patience as this makes a difficult job easier.

We know that when you’re feeling unwell, it’s frustrating not being able to get an appointment at the time you would like it. Our team work very hard to manage the appointments we do have so that the most unwell patients can be seen quickly. This does mean that sometimes you will need to wait for an appointment if your condition is not urgent. If your condition changes, then do please contact the surgery to keep us informed.

We’d like to thank you for being polite to the members of our practice team. Our staff have feelings too, and your thoughtfulness and 

consideration when speaking to our staff members is appreciated.

Parkrun

Have you considered parkrun and decided against it because you don’t think you’re up to running? Whether you’re a runner, a jogger or a walker, parkrun welcomes you and wants to support you on your journey.
parkrun is a brilliant and supportive way to participate in a FREE event that helps get you out and about. You’ll never come last at parkrun, and whether you have support needs or children, there is a parkrun for you.

https://support.parkrun.com/hc/en-us/articles/201853881-Can-I-walk-

https://www.parkrun.org.uk

Prostate cancer:

One in eight men will get prostate cancer. If you’re a trans-woman or non-binary, your risk may be different. You can check your risk on the Prostate Cancer UK website:

Https://prostatecanceruk.org/risk-checker 

Most men with early prostate cancer wont notice any signs or symptoms. If you notice any of the following:

• difficulty starting to urinate or emptying your bladder
• a weak flow when you urinate
• a feeling that your bladder hasn’t emptied properly
• dribbling urine after you finish urinating
• needing to urinate more often than usual, especially at night
• a sudden need to urinate – you may sometimes leak urine before you get to the toilet…

You should make an appointment to speak to a member of your GP practice team.

Healthy Eating:

It’s important to try and eat a healthy diet, including a variety of fresh fruit and vegetables, along with starchy carbohydrates like potatoes, rice and pasta, and lean protein.

The Eatwell Guide gives clear guidelines and images to show you what we should aim for in terms of balancing our food intake across a week.

It can be difficult to work out how much we should be eating as a portion. The British Dietetic Association has an easy guide to portion sizes. You don’t even need to have your scales to hand!

https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/eat-well/how-to-eat-a-balanced-diet/eight-tips-for-healthy-eating/

https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/eat-well/food-guidelines-and-food-labels/the-eatwell-guide/

https://www.bda.uk.com/resource/food-facts-portion-sizes.html

Importance of attending review appointments.

If you’re invited to have a review for your long-term condition, it’s important to attend. During your review appointment, we’ll check how you’re managing, and you’ll get the opportunity to discuss any concerns or new treatment options available.

Prescribing reviews

To make sure you’re on the best medicine for your needs, we undertake regular medication reviews. After a medication review, we may suggest changes to your medication to keep up with the latest guidance or advice.

Testicular cancer awareness

Cancer of the testicles is one of the less common cancers and tends to occur in men aged 15 to 49. There are a number of risk factors, which include an undescended testicle or testicles, a family history and previous testicular cancer, though all men should be vigilant and check for symptoms.

If you have lumps, swelling, hardness, pain or heaviness in your testicles, it could be a sign of a number of conditions. Among the more serious is testicular cancer. So, if you’re worried about any of these symptoms, a short visit to your GP practice should help you to get to the bottom of it.

https://www.testicularcancernetwork.co.uk/april-testicular-cancer-awareness-month

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/testicular-cancer/

Shingles

Shingles is a painful condition that is a reactivation of the chicken pox virus, usually on one side of your body. It can be painful and cause complications. If you’re aged 70 to 79, or turned 65 on or after 1st September 2023, you should be eligible for a free shingles vaccination.
If you’re suffering from shingles, you can find lots of helpful information about how you can best manage the infection including information about how to reduce the pain associated with shingles, and about antivirals you may be offered.

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/shingles/

https://patient.info/skin-conditions/shingles-herpes-zoster-leaflet