Our April 2024 Patient Newsletter is hot off the press and you can read it here. Here's what we've included this month:

• What you told us in the patient newsletter survey
• A conversation about continuity of care
• Spring 2024 COVID-19 booster vaccinations
• Spotting stress signs by Dr Turner
• Our response to recent media coverage about physician associates
• New artwork in the waiting room

The reception team will also keep some printed copies by the reception desk if you prefer reading on paper - just pop in and grab a copy if you are passing.

We are now offering all patients an option of support in getting set up and using online apps. The NHS App allow you to complete tasks online without having to ring the surgery, like booking some routine appointments, looking at your medical record and test results, requesting prescriptions, checking your referral and many more!

By using the digital assistant, you will be able to access step by step guides on how to download and/or use functionalities within our online apps.

You can check out the digital assistant here

We have moved!! Our long-awaited move to the health centre building next door has gone ahead as planned! We look forward to providing care for you in our fantastic new premises.

For further information about the move please see the link below:

https://www.thehallpractice.co.uk/the-hall-practice---new-premises

Service currently suspended temporarily. FedBucks who operate the service are looking for an alternative location.

🚨Emergency test alert will be sent to mobile phones at 3pm on Sunday 23 April. The new government Emergency Alerts system will be used to let you know about emergency situations (like severe flooding) through your mobile phone. However, the alert will be accompanied by a loud sound even if your phone is on silent. The link below shows how you can turn alerts off, both on Android phones and on iPhones.

How emergency alerts work

Managing Emergency Alerts on your phone to stay safe if you’re experiencing domestic abuse

Refuge have information on securing your devices – for example your location settings or privacy settings – on https://refugetechsafety.org/

💉COVID-19 Spring Booster Vaccine 2023: The Hall Practice and The Allan Practice will be running joint clinics at Calcot Medical Centre on Saturday 22 April and Saturday 29 April to deliver the booster vaccination. If you are over 75 please call 119 to book your vaccine appointment slot. Our team will be delivering to our housebound and care home patients over the next 4 weeks.

A guide to the COVID-19 spring booster 2023

🎗️ April is Bowel Cancer Awareness month. Bowel cancer is the 4th most common type of cancer. Screening can help find it at an early stage, when it's easier to treat. Regular NHS bowel cancer screening reduces the risk of dying from bowel cancer and is offered to everyone aged 60 - 74 years every 2 years. The programme is expanding so that everyone aged 50 to 59 years will be eligible for screening. This is happening gradually over 4 years and started in April 2021 with 56 year olds. People over 75 can request a kit by calling the helpline. See link below for further information:

www.nhs.uk/conditions/bowel-cancer-screening/ 

www.bowelcanceruk.org.uk/

🚑 The Hall Practice will be closed on the afternoon of Wednesday 19 April for staff training. If you need urgent assistance during that time please call 111 or visit 111 online. Call 999 in an emergency.

Hoping the weather cheers up over the weekend!

Dr Nicola Turner, Dr Katherine Yeomans, Ruth Franklin, Dr Jasraj Panesar & The Hall Practice Team