Dear Patients,

I trust this message finds you well, and that you had a pleasant Easter Weekend. Today marks my first day as your new Practice Manager, and I am thrilled to be part of the team, committed to enhancing your experience whenever you need us.

 The Team

Following up from my February update, I am delighted to inform you of the positive changes within our team. We've welcomed new members and returning staff, resulting in an improved staffing situation with more team members available each day. While we aspire to further bolster our team, these recent additions are certainly cause for celebration!

During March, we welcomed Sarah to our Reception team, and Fidelis joined us as our new Phlebotomist. I'm pleased to share that Fidelis has been receiving exceptional feedback from patients:

"The lady who did my bloods was new, and such a lovely lady. First time I've not bruised too, quickly and no waiting around."

Thank you to those who have provided feedback through our NHS Friends and Family Survey. You can view the results here.

 

What's Changed?

Since my last update, we've implemented several significant changes aimed at improving our service to you:

• We have introduced self-booking links for various appointment types, offering you the flexibility to schedule appointments at your convenience without the need to wait on the phone or visit the practice.
• Our new patient registration system is now live, allowing new patients to complete their form online from the comfort of their homes. This integration significantly reduces administrative processing time whilst also reducing queues in the practice.
• For in-practice appointments, we now send text reminders seven and one day in advance, including a cancellation link. Your cooperation in cancelling appointments through this link has significantly reduced missed appointments, from an average of 216 per month to just 132 in February and March.

 

What's Upcoming?

I've been actively reviewing common areas of frustration raised by patients:

• An update on our phone system improvement, scheduled for late April, will be shared in a separate post detailing the features and benefits to enhance your calling experience.
• Regarding Klinik, I am exploring alternative systems to provide more flexibility in service availability, especially in the afternoons and a simpler form to complete.
• We are reviewing our results follow-up appointment process to ensure smoother communication. Instead of you being asked to initiate contact after receiving results, we will proactively provide appointment slots or inform you of ongoing arrangements. This aims to streamline the process and minimise delays in follow-up care.

 

Patients without Digital Access

As we advance with online solutions, I am mindful of patients without digital access. Your needs remain a priority, and every patient we can transition to self-service tools alleviates pressure on our phone lines and queues, allowing our team more time to assist you.

 

In Conclusion

Change is underway, but there's still much to accomplish. I am committed to engaging with you to identify further improvements. Initiatives such as restarting our Patient Participation Group and updating notice board content are just a few items on our agenda.

Thank you for your continued support and feedback as we work towards providing the best possible care for you.

Warm regards,

Edwin
Practice Manager

 

Hi Patients of Watling Vale Medical Centre,

I hope this message finds you well. My name is Edwin, and I'm supporting to the practice part time from within my role in the Watling Street PCN. I'm excited to announce that, starting in April, I'll be stepping into the role of Practice Manager on a full-time basis.

I understand that our practice has faced some challenges recently, particularly with staffing shortages impacting the level of service we strive to provide. However, I want to assure you that we are actively working on several initiatives to address these issues and one of these is to enhance communication with you, our valued patients.

 

The Team

 

I'm delighted to share some positive news on the staffing front. We have welcomed two new members to our reception team, with Lynda currently undergoing induction training and another team member set to join us in March. Additionally, we eagerly anticipate the return of Charlotte next week following a period of leave.

While some time will be needed for training, these additions to our team will undoubtedly result in improved service delivery over the coming months. We sincerely appreciate your patience and understanding during this period of understaffing.

Furthermore, we are excited to announce that a new Phlebotomist will be joining us in March, which will expand the availability of blood tests and reduce appointment wait times. We anticipate seeing the benefits of this addition in the latter half of March and thank you for your understanding as we work to accommodate everyone's needs.

 

Improving Phone Accessibility

 

I have received numerous pieces of feedback regarding difficulties reaching us by phone. Our current phone system has limitations, often resulting in engaged tones and frustrating wait times. Please rest assured that we are not intentionally disconnecting calls.

In the next couple of months, we will be transitioning to a more modern system called Surgery Connect. This investment will eliminate engaged tones and provide us with better insights into call volume, allowing us to manage demand more effectively. Additionally, the new system will offer features such as auto callback, reducing the need for extended hold times. More information about Surgery Connect will be provided before its implementation.

 

Klinik

 

Many of you have expressed concerns about the inconsistent operating hours of our online appointment and request platform, Klinik. While we understand the desire for extended availability, high demand has necessitated some adjustments.

All requests for non-routine appointments are reviewed by our doctors on the same day to prioritise those with the most pressing needs. When same-day availability is exhausted, the system is paused, and alternative options are provided for urgent care.

Klinik will always be available for new requests starting at 8 am, with requests generally closing around 12 pm (11 am on Mondays). If you prefer to contact us by phone or in person, you will be guided through the same questions used online. We encourage submitting requests in the morning whenever possible.

Don't forget, you can also use the NHS or SystmOnline AirMid apps to request repeat prescriptions when Klinik is unavailable. This not only simplifies the process but also contributes to our efforts to become a greener practice.

 

In Conclusion

 

Please know that myself and the entire team at Watling Vale Medical Centre are committed to delivering the best possible experience for our patients. We acknowledge areas where improvement is needed and are actively implementing initiatives to address them. I look forward to sharing more on these over the coming months.

Despite the challenges, we remain dedicated to providing quality care to each of our patients. With over 4000 appointments booked in January alone, we are continuously striving to meet your health needs to the best of our abilities within our resources.

Thank you for your continued support and understanding as we work towards a better healthcare experience for all.

 

Warm regards,

Edwin Practice Manager (starting April)

 

 

 

Measles spreads very easily among those who are unvaccinated, especially in nurseries and schools. It can be a very unpleasant illness and, in some cases can lead to hospitalisation and sometimes can cause death. Vaccines are our best line of defence against diseases like measles and help stop outbreaks occurring in the community.

 

We are calling on all parents and carers to make sure their children are up to date with their 2 MMR doses. You can check if your child is up to date with their MMR vaccines, by either looking in their Child Health Record (PCHR) or red book, or you can contact your GP practice. You can also check your vaccination records on the NHS App.

 

 The MMR vaccine is free on the NHS, whatever your age.

From September 2023, there will be changes to the dose schedule in the shingles vaccination programme.

Please download this excel workbook which contains a shinlges calucator to find out if you are eligible for the vaccine. 

 

https://www.healthpublications.gov.uk/ViewArticle.html?sp=Sshingleseliligibiltycalculatorfromseptember2023

 

Please note: Watling Vale Medical Centre are currently NOT be administering any COVID-19 vaccines as part of this programme.

Who is being offered an autumn booster?

COVID-19 is more serious in older people and in people with certain underlying health conditions.

This winter it is expected that many respiratory infections, including COVID-19 and flu may be circulating at high levels – this may put increasing pressure on hospitals and other health care services. For these reasons, people aged 50 years and over, those in care homes, and those aged 5 years and over in clinical risk groups are being offered an autumn booster of COVID-19 vaccine.

A booster will also be offered to front-line health and social care staff, those who care for vulnerable individuals and families of individuals with weakened immune systems.

The autumn booster is being offered to those at high risk of the complications of COVID-19 infection, who may have not been boosted for a few months. As the number of COVID-19 infections increases over the winter, this booster should help to reduce your risk of being admitted to hospital with COVID-19.

The booster may also provide some protection against mild Omicron infection but such protection does not last for long.

Seasonal boosters

A seasonal booster (autumn booster) can be booked online for anyone who is:

• aged 65 or over
• pregnant
• aged 5 and over and at high risk due to a health condition
• aged 5 and over and at high risk because of a weakened immune system
• aged 16 and over and lives with someone who has a weakened immune system
• aged 16 and over and is a carer, either paid or unpaid
• a frontline health and social care worker

People aged 50 to 64 years old who are not in any of these groups will be able to get a seasonal booster (autumn booster) later in autumn 2022.

The appointment dates you'll be offered will start from 3 months (91 days) after your previous dose

 

Timing of the autumn booster

You should be offered an appointment between September and December, with those at highest risk being called in first. You should have your booster at least 3 months after your last dose of vaccine.

If you are eligible for a flu vaccine, you may be able to have them at the same time – if not please go ahead anyway, you can catch up with the other vaccine later.

 

Which vaccine will you be offered?

You will be given a booster dose of a vaccine made by Pfizer or Moderna. You may be offered an updated combination version of these booster vaccines – the combination vaccines include a half-dose of the previous vaccine combined with a half-dose of a vaccine against the Omicron variant. For a very small number of people another vaccine product may be advised by your doctor.

Both the previous and the combination vaccines boost protection very well, although the combination vaccines produce slightly higher levels of antibody against some strains of Omicron.

As we cannot predict which variants of COVID-19 will be circulating this winter, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) have concluded that both types of vaccine can be used in adults, and that no one should delay vaccination to receive combination vaccines. So you will be offered the right vaccine for you at the right time.

Please accept the vaccination that is offered to you as soon as you are able to – it is important to have your booster and build up your protection against severe illness before the winter.

 

Who cannot take up the offer of an autumn booster

There are very few people who should not have this booster. If you have had a severe reaction to a previous dose of the vaccine you should discuss this with your doctor.

 

Further information

You can read the COVID-19 guides below for more information:

• COVID-19 vaccination guide for adults
• COVID-19 vaccination guide for women of childbearing age, currently pregnant or breastfeeding
• COVID-19 vaccination guide for people with a weakened immune system
• What to expect after COVID-19 vaccination guide

These leaflets are available free to order or download and are available in various languages and alternate formats.

Visit coronavirus booster vaccination on NHS.UK.

Read the product information leaflets for UK recipients of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines for more details on your vaccine, including possible side effects.

(https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-vaccination-autumn-booster-resources/a-guide-to-the-covid-19-autumn-booster)

 

Please note: Watling Vale Medical Centre are currently NOT be administering any COVID-19 vaccines as part of this programme.

The NHS will be offering further COVID-19 booster vaccinations to patients who are:

• Aged 75 years and over
• Living in a residential care home for older people
• Aged 12 years and over and immunosuppressed*

 Spring Boosters will be offered to these groups six months after their last dose of COVID-19 vaccine.

The programme will start from 21^st March 2022.

If you are eligible, you will be contacted by the NHS. You can then arrange an appointment at a vaccination centre by visiting www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/book-coronavirus-vaccination/ or calling 119.

For more information, visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-vaccination-spring-booster-resources/a-guide-to-the-spring-booster-for-those-aged-75-years-and-older-residents-in-care-homes

https://www.blmkccg.nhs.uk/covid-19/drop-in-covid-19-vaccination-sessions-available/

This service enables you to book an appointment to show evidence for any coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccinations you've had outside of England. This is so the NHS can securely update your vaccination record.

We urgerg all patient who have had any part of their COVID Vaccine aminstered abroad to follow the link below 

Tell the NHS about coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccinations you've had abroad - NHS (www.nhs.uk)