Dementia Action Week is an annual campaign led by the Alzheimer’s Society, its purpose is to encourage individuals, communities, and organizations across the UK to act in support of people affected by dementia. The event takes place between May 19^th- May 25^th  and focuses on raising awareness and challenging stigma.

Each year has a set focus, this year’s is on diagnosis and highlighting the most common symptoms of dementia

Did you know:

1 in 3 people in the UK living with dementia do not have a diagnosis

91% of people affected by dementia say there are benefits to getting diagnosis

For more information please visit The Alzheimer's Society directly, to find out more and to see how you can get involved.

Other helpful links:

Dementia Action Week

PPG Dementia Leaflet

Last month we utilised 8,660 appointment slots, including routine face to face, triage and telephone appointments. 

The number of appointments that were not attended: 250

Please make sure to let the surgery know if you can not make the alotted time or if you need to reschedule before your appointment date. 

To our pateints who are visiting the practice this afternoon,

Please be aware we will be observing the 2 minute silence for VE day at mid-day.

Please be respectful of staff members taking part.

Thank you 

Our practice will be closed for the Easter Bank Holiday on the following dates: 

Friday 18th April

Monday 21st April

As well as, Monday 5th May 

If you need medical advice in this time please call 111 or visit 111 online, In an emergency call 999.

April is finally here, and the start of it marks Stress Awareness Month 2025. This highlights a time for you to take charge of your wellbeing and explore varied ways to manage stress. 2025’s theme is ‘Lead with Love’, empowering those to approach themselves and others with kindness.

Below is a link to The Stress Management Society’s resources page, filled with ways to become proactive this April. The resources include:

• Information packs
• Podcasts
• Planners
• Workshops
• Journals
• And more…

Click here for more information 

Last month we utilised 8,893 appointment slots, including routine face to face, triage and telephone appointments. 

The number of appointments that were not attended: 350

Please make sure to let the surgery know if you can not make the alotted time or if you need to reschedule before your appointment date. 

The GP Exercise Referral Scheme is an NHS initiative designed to help patients with existing health conditions or people at risk of developing them.

It connects patients to tailored exercise programs, typically lasting 12 to 16 weeks, to improve their physical and mental well-being. The scheme aims to bridge healthcare and fitness, providing access to gym facilities at a concessionary rate. If you would like more information such as referral criteria, please click on services page

We are now inviting patients to book in for Spring booster vaccinations.

How to Book Your Vaccination: If you are eligible, you will be sent an invite to book your spring booster vaccination. Please use the booking link on the invite to book your appointment. We also have measures in place to contact our patients who do not have a mobile phone to invite you in for an appointment.

All vaccinations will be administered at Westlands Medical Centre through our Extended Access Service on Saturdays.

Who is eligible? 

• Adults aged 75 years and over
• Residents in care homes for older adults
• Individuals aged 6 months and over who are immunosuppressed

Information :

Last month we utilised 8,017 appointment slots, including routine face to face, triage and telephone appointments. 

We are always striving to see more patients and making our service as accessible as possible. 

The number of appointments that were not attended: 502

Please make sure to let the surgery know if you can not make the alotted time or if you need to reschedule before your appointment date. 

The Centre Practice is now offering patients the option to Self-refer to local pharmacies for Minor Illnesses, these include: 

• Cold or Flu symptoms

• Sore throat

• Cough

• Diarrhoea

• Skin / Rash issues

• Hay Fever

Pharmacists are qualified healthcare professionals and can offer clinical advice and medicines for all sorts of minor ailments, with a same day consultation at a time that suits you.

The referral process is secure and easy to access. Please complete the digital triage on the link below to see if your condition is appropriate for self referral

https://www.patienttriage.co.uk/centre-practice?serviceId=b33c1f59-66fb-410b-aa6d-f42674d334f8

(Please note: If you self-refer on a weekend, your referral will not be seen until the next working day) 

Its almost Winter!

Which means our PPG Winter Newsletter is Here.

For tips on how to stay safe to where to get vaccinations. 

You can read it all by clicking the link above. 

If you are subscribed to our newsletter it will be sent to you via email. You can subscribe at anytime by filling out our quick and easy submission form on our homepage.

There has been an increase in patients sending in letters to the practice addressed to GP's about their general health concerns, test results and seeking appointments through this medium.

We appreciate it might not always be simple to get through to us, but if you are seeking a routine appointment, please ring us on 01329 823456 or complete an econsult on this page. 

all letters will scanned onto patients records but will not be reviewed by a GP. 

Thank you

If you are being referred via the e-referral system (previously known as choose & book), you will be sent referral booking/triage summary information. This paperwork will include instructions on your next step and the contact telephone number for the Outpatient Booking Centre. If you have any queries regarding your appointment, please ring the Outpatient Booking Centre on 02392 681700.

We understand that waiting for a hospital appointment can be overwhelming.

The My planned care website gives you advice and support while you wait and helps you to prepare for your hospital consultation, treatment, or surgery. This includes giving you up to date information about waiting times at your hospital and other supporting and local services.

https://www.myplannedcare.nhs.uk/

Would you like to be a part of our Patient Participation Group? 

The group meets at least twice a year to review the practice survey and plan improvements to the services we provide.

There is also a Fareham group where each of the ten practices in the area send a representative to discuss wider local issues.

So, if you are passionate about the Fareham community and how the practice provides for it, we would love to hear from you.

Go to our PPG page and fill out our sign up form today. 

When contacting the surgery please remember, we are here to help you.

Our staff have the right to be treated with dignity and respect at all times without the risk of threatening behaviour or violence.

This behaviour will not be tolerated towards staff.

In this leaflet you will find information, support numbers and symptoms which are often missed, put together by our Patient participation group.

It also importantly express's that 'It is possible to live well with dementia,'  and that if supported  'people with dementia are able to continue enjoying activities they have always enjoyed and even to try new ones.'

If you would like more information, please contact the surgery.

If you would like to be a part of our PPG, you can find out how here

We are fast approaching the first day of summer!

Excitment is in the air, and good weather looks to be on the horizon.

Would you like some tips from our PPG group about safety in the sun? Or prehaps tackling Hay fever?

You can read it all in their Summer Newsletter HERE

Did you know most Pharmacies can help with a range of common conditions without needing to see a GP? 

The new Pharmacy First service was launched 31 January 2024 and adds to the existing consultation service. This enables community pharmacies to complete episodes of care for 7 common conditions following defined clinical pathways. 

For more information of how a Pharmacy can help you, and for a list of the conditions, click the below link 

How pharmacies can help - NHS (www.nhs.uk)

Often, patients are requested by the Hospital to obtain a letter from the GP so their appointment can be expedited.

Waiting a longer time for an appointment does not deem your request urgent. According to figures from NHS England, a total of 7.42 million people were waiting to start treatment at the end of May 2023, the highest since records began in August 2007. As a result, we are unable to write letters to expedite your appointment.

If you are experiencing worsening of your symptoms, we advise you to contact your specialist directly so they can assess your condition and make the necessary arrangements. If you have difficulty in accessing your consultant, we advise you to contact PALS for assistance.

Patient Advice Liaison Service :: Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust