May 2023
Dear Patient, You are cordially invited to the inaugural meeting of the Ledbury Health Partnership Patient Participation Group (LHP PPG), to be held at the Ledbury Methodist Church, 4A Bye Street on May 10th 2023 at 6pm.
In order to create a group that is fully representative of our GP Practice’s patient population we are looking for members spanning the decades from those aged 20s to those aged 80s, so it will be fantastic to see as many of you as possible at this meeting. This is your PPG; the aim of which is to be a representative collaborative body, acting as a conduit for information sharing between patients and LHP.
If you have friends and colleagues who may not have registered their email addresses with LHP, or do not have their own email address, please do pass on this invitation. The meeting is open to all LHP patients and all are very welcome.
Best wishes,
On behalf of the LHP interim PPG
Secretary, Jennifer Harrison
Information Officer, Jayne McGlone
Chair, Ray Hunter
April 2023
April 2023
We have a different Duty Doctor each day, and all GPs take it in turn, so it may possibly be that if you phone on a certain day to see a GP, that they may be on duty that day, and will be unable to see routine patients.
March 2023
As we approach the 20th anniversary of the Iraq conflict, we are conscious that some military veterans might be affected by the anniversary.
The surgery is proud to be accredited as a veteran friendly practice by the Royal College of GPs. If you have been affected by this, we would initially suggest you have a look particularly at the following resource, "Op Courage:" which is the veterans’ mental health and wellbeing service. Please click link below for more information.
Dr Flewers is our veteran GP and we could book you a routine appointment if you feel you need further support. Otherwise, our duty team are always available to speak to in a crisis.
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We are please to be accredited as Armed forces veteran friendly, for more information download the information below
Hi Colleague, NHS expands Veterans Mental Health Support through partnership with Togetherall and Dr Julian. Togetherall have been supporting the UK Armed Forces for over 12 years, and during that time, have supported over 15,000 members of the Military Community.
NHS England and NHS Improvement have now enhanced the partnership to provide an online counselling service to clients of OpCOURAGE, the Veterans Mental Health and Wellbeing Service.
The Live Therapy service will expand the capacity of the current commissioned veterans’ mental health services and will help to address waiting times which have seen an increase in demand resulting from both the COVID-19 pandemic and a decrease in charitable services.
Over many years of experience, Togetherall has seen the benefits of combining its online and moderated peer-support model alongside courses of CBT and other forms of counselling. Individuals can benefit from the support of the community while waiting for, during, or following discharge from counselling.
Treatment will be delivered through the digital therapy provider, Dr Julian, working in association with Togetherall. We made the decision to work alongside Dr Julian after a detailed assessment of their experience and capability to provide Step 3 psychological CBT and Counselling therapy.
Clients will be offered eight sessions of therapy (online remote video, audio, or instant message appointments). Dr Julian provides clients access to therapists that may meet specific cultural and language requirements for minority groups and access to appointments at times that suit them, with operating hours across 7 days a week.
How can my Veteran patient’s access one-to-one therapy?
Veterans can access Togetherall’s Online Therapy with Dr. Julian through participating TILs. Firstly, a referral (or self-referral) is made to the local Op COURAGE, where the Veteran will be assessed for suitability and referred to an appropriate service, which could include Dr Julian. You can find out more information about the Transition, Intervention and Liaison Services (TILs) and OpCourage via the NHS website.
To read more about our partnership with NHS England & NHS Improvement please click below:
Yours sincerely, Lisa Hancock Togetherall Head of Account Management, UK
March 2023
Hay fever is usually worse between late March and September, especially when it is warm, humid and windy. This is when the pollen count is at its highest.
HAY FEVER selfcare PDF March 2023
We will be starting our Spring Covid Booster Campaign after Easter.
· Adults aged 75 and over
· Care Home residents
· Patients aged 5 and over who are considered Immunosuppressed according to the Green Book (tables 3 and 4)
We have not arranged clinics yet because we have not been informed of when vaccine supplies will be available.
Once we know, we will invite you by text if you have a mobile number, we will call your land line to invite you if you do not have a mobile phone, or we will send you a letter if you do not have a telephone.
If you are housebound you will be contacted by the Taurus Roving team again.
If you are eligible for a Covid jab and have not heard from us by mid-May, please get in touch.
February 2023
Togetherall is a safe anonymous online community where members can share what’s on their mind, take comfort reading the thoughts of others or browse the many resources available.
· A supportive online community – moderated by professionals at all times (BACP members or equivalent)
· An anonymous space, free from stigma or judgement.
· A safe place to talk at any time of the day or night.
· A library of self-help materials, including structured online courses on topics such as managing depression, improving sleep and our ‘managing PTSD’ course, which has been specifically designed to support the Armed Forces.
Our service is free for veterans and can be accessed immediately through a computer or mobile device at togetherall.com."
VISIT TOGETHERALL WEBSITEFebruary 2023
An app that provides advice and support to parents and carers of sick children up to the age of 11 has been launched in Herefordshire.
Available in Worcestershire since 2020, the app has proved popular with parents keen to access consistent and reliable advice on common childhood illnesses, such as diarrhoea and vomiting, high temperature and respiratory problems.
The app has been developed by NHS organisations across the two counties, including Dr Lauren Parry (Taurus Healthcare’s Medical Director) and can be downloaded onto Apple and android devices free of charge.
February 2023
January 2023
We are now a part of Newent's Parkrun as a Parkrun practice. A free, fun, and friendly weekly 5k community event. Walk, jog, run, volunteer or spectate – it's up to you!
November 2022
November 2022
November 2022
Whether you live, work, receive care, or you’re part of a group or organisation in Herefordshire, we want your voice to be at the heart of the new health & wellbeing strategy. Let us know what you think we should focus on:
October 2022
October 2022
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September 2022
We would like to inform residents of Ledbury that two condolence books are now open - one at St Michael and All Saints Church, and one at The Master’s House.
The book at St Michael and All Saints Church will be open over the weekend, and the following week from 9am to 6pm.
The book at The Master’s House will be open today until 4.30pm; 9.30am-12.00pm on Saturday 10 September ; and then from 9.30am-4.30pm on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday of the following week, as well as Monday 19 and Tuesday 20 September.
If you wish to lay a floral tribute these can be laid at The Masters House or at St Michael and All Saints Church.
September 2022
Flu Vaccines
We are here to provide you with your free NHS flu and COVID jabs to help protect your health this vaccination season.
We have started to invite eligible patients to our joint Covid booster and flu jab clinics. Our first big clinic is on Saturday 17th September and is by invitation only.
We are offering flu vaccines to people who are:
• aged 65 years and over
• aged 2 or 3 years on 31 August 2022
• aged six months to under 65 years with long-term conditions including conditions of the lungs, heart, liver, kidney and neurological system, diabetes, a learning disability, problems with your spleen, if you have had your spleen removed or if you have a weakened immune system
• pregnant
• living in long-stay residential care homes
• carers
• living with someone who is more likely to get infections
• frontline health and social care workers – if this service is not provided by your employer
• healthy 50-64 years olds – we will invite you as soon as the majority of medically vulnerable have been vaccinated
COVID Autumn Booster Programme
The COVID vaccine supplies are managed centrally so unfortunately we have no influence over deliveries. However, if they arrive in time to coincide with the start of our flu clinics and you are in one of the categories below, we are happy to offer you both vaccines at the same time. This is perfectly safe and can be more convenient for you.
We are offering COVID vaccines to people who are:
• aged 50 years and over
• pregnant
• residents and staff of care homes for older adults
• frontline health and social care workers
Care Home and Housebound Residents
If you live in a care home, we will come out to give you your flu and COVID vaccines. If you are housebound and living in your own home, you will be given your jabs by the Taurus roving team who will contact you directly.
How do I get my Flu/COVID Vaccine?
Everyone in the categories above will be invited by text, phone or letter if you do not have a telephone. This year we are hoping to be able to offer you the additional option of booking online, as well as by phone or in person. If you are in one of the categories above and have not been contacted by the end of October, please do get in touch with us.
If you are in any other eligible group for a COVID jab than those listed above, you can book by calling 119 or online at www.nhs.uk.
We look forward to seeing you and helping to give you and your nearest and dearest the best protection for your health this autumn and winter.
July 2022
July 2022
June 2022
June 2022
May 2022
Day Lewis have started offering a new service for medication collection. If anyone would like to use this service, please speak directly to Day Lewis, Ledbury, thank you.
What is the Collection Point?
The Collection Point allows you to pick up your repeat prescriptions at your convenience for free. The collection point can be accessed securely inside the pharmacy (during opening hours) or outside the pharmacy 24/7.
How can I Sign up?
If you would like to sign up, either click on your pharmacy location at the top of the Day Lewis web page or contact your local pharmacy team directly
How do I collect my medicines at the Collection Point?
Once you have signed up with your pharmacy team, you will be sent a message when your medicines have been placed into the machine. Your message will include a unique pin number.
When you arrive at the machine, follow the instructions on screen.
1. Touch the screen to activate
2. Enter the pin number we sent you
3. Enter your date of birth
4. Collect your medicines
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I really access the Collection Point 24/7? Yes, the Collection Points can be accessed in pharmacy during opening hours (so no need to wait in the queues), or outside the pharmacy 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Allowing you to collect at your convenience.
Are the machines safe and secure?
The machines have been developed to ensure the safety of you and your medication. You can only access the Collection Point with the unique pin code (which will change for every collection) sent to you and your date of birth. Keep this information safe.
Can my family member collect my medication?
Only share your unique pin code and date of birth with those whom you wish to give access to your medication, ensuring that they also keep your pin code and personal information safe.
Are the machines safe and secure?
How long do my medicines stay in the Collection Point? Your medicines will stay in the Collection Point for up to 7 days. You will be sent reminder text to collect your medication. If you have not collected your medicines after 7 days, you will be sent a final text letting you know that your medications have been removed from the Collection Point and are available to collect from the pharmacy counter (during pharmacy opening hours).
The machines have been developed to ensure the safety of you and your medication. You can only access the Collection Point with the unique pin code (which will change for every collection) sent to you and your date of birth. Keep this information safe.
May 2022
Ever wondered why, when you visit your GP or hospital, they can’t see all your health and care information? And why you find yourself having to answer the same old questions over and over – about things like the medicines you take, the treatment you’ve had, and whether you have any allergies?
An introduction to the Shared Care Record videoWhy Shared Care Record matters videoThe Shared Care Record and your care videoMay 2022
April 2022
March 2022
March 2022
We are delighted to announce the arrival of three new GPs, two new Advanced Clinical Practitioners (ACPs) and two new members to our reception team.
Doctors Mary Wall and Lauren Smith joined us on the 7th December and Dr Liz Bullivant will start on the 10th January to expand and strengthen our team of permanent GPs. Our GPs are here to care for you if you have complex medical needs and oversee all clinical work in the practice. Our new GPs will each have their own list of registered patients and if you become registered with one of them, we will inform you of your named GP by text or letter.
Our ACPs are Emily Locke, who joined us in October, and Emily Roper, who started in December, to enhance and build resilience within our duty team. Our duty team are here to help if you are suffering with a minor illness or an urgent medical problem.
We also welcomed Ruth and Tracey to our reception team in November and are in the process of re-organising and recruiting to expand the capacity of the reception team even further to handle our high volume of incoming calls.
March 2022
You may be invited participate in one of the national cancer screening programmes; either by us, or centrally by the NHS. It is important that you attend your breast and cervical screening; if the date is not convenient then please rearrange your appointment.
Below you will find information on 3 types of cancer for which regular screening is available depending on your age and sex.
www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/bowel-cancer
www.youtube.com/watch?v=il6VSceMWfM
From 1st July 2021 there is a new way for you to register for all your maternity care at Wye Valley NHS Trust.
October 2021
Please do not drop off a urine sample at the Practice because we have stopped accepting unsolicited urine samples. If you suspect that you might have a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) you have a couple of options:-
1. If you are female and between the ages of 16 and 64, you can use the UTI service provided by Day Lewis Pharmacy. Please speak to a Receptionist first who will send an electronic referral for you, do not go there with a sample.
2. Day Lewis will then contact you directly and they may ask you to drop off a sample or they might prescribe antibiotics without the need for a sample. Please note that this service is not available on a Tuesday or Wednesday.
October 2021
We wanted to let you know that we are finally connecting our systems to offer joined-up health and care records, which will enable better, safer care and treatment for all our patients.
As a GP, it is difficult to provide joined-up care with so many separate systems for handling patient information. These were not connected, meaning that you often had to repeat your story each time you received care at a different organisation, or with a different health professional. The Shared Care Record means up-to-date records will be immediately available to professionals caring for you as a patient, when you need direct care.
It will mean, for instance, a doctor in a hospital, or a paramedic who attends a 999 call will be able to confidentially access the same crucial information that we can at the Practice, such as details of any allergies and current medications, bringing potentially life-saving benefits. Robust security measures are in place to protect your health information and all staff must follow the law on keeping your information confidential.
The Shared Care Record is not the same as the General Practice Data for Planning and Research Directions (GPDPR), which is a national NHS Digital initiative to use GP practice data for research and planning purposes. The Shared Care Record is a local initiative to share information with organisations directly involved in your care to ensure that you receive prompt and appropriate treatment when you need it.
For more information, please visit: https://herefordshireandworcestershireccg.nhs.uk/health-services/shared-care-record
September 2021
We are pleased to announce the arrival of our new Practice Manager, Catherine Simonini.
Catherine has been a Practice Manager for 11 years and previously worked in Oxfordshire. Please feel free to contact her at either catherine.simonini@nhs.net or on her direct line: 01531 825933.
Catherine is looking forward to working to the whole team at Ledbury Health Parternship.
September 2021
Practices across the UK have been informed that flu vaccines deliveries from the supplier Seqirus are going to be delayed by at least one or two weeks due to "unforeseen freight challenges."
That means that UK General Practices will be without vaccines, possibly until the beginning of October. This is completely outside of our control.
Your GP Practice will continue to work hard to change their existing plans and ensure that as soon as delivery dates are received patients will be contacted and appointments booked.
Thank you for your patience.
August 2020
St Katherines Surgery and Ledbury Market Surgery merged on 1st August 2020 in order to maintain general practice services in Ledbury and the surrounding area. This means that everyone now has equal access to both premises, all services and staff. We will continue to use both of the surgery buildings and you will be advised which site to attend when your appointment is booked.
We have combined our many years of experience and expertise to create a very diverse and forward thinking organisation offering an extended range of services to our patients – please take a look around the website to learn more about us.
The COVID pandemic continues to affect how we can offer services to our patients, though the restrictions are lifting slowly. If you are unsure as to how to access our services, or which site to attend for appointments it is important that you ask for advice from the staff who will be happy to help.
September 2021
In March 2020 GP practices were told by the Government to change the way they worked to keep patients and staff as safe as possible during what was a very scary and uncertain time. These changes included being asked to carry out appointments either on the phone or video wherever possible and offering face to face appointments for examination or treatment when medically necessary. The emphasis nationally in healthcare was to provide urgent care as a priority whilst limiting routine interactions.
You may be aware that our doors are now open and we are delighted to have welcomed our patients back to our reception area, whilst remaining vigilant and conforming to current Government guidelines on how to stay safe including the rules around hands, face, space and fresh air. We are hoping to reintroduce a greater capacity for routine care appointments, both with the GPs and Nurses and we are actively recruiting more GPs.
In order to improve access to health and social care and release GP time for the care of patients with complex medical needs, when you contact the surgery our fully trained Patient Service Advisors will provide information to help you to access the support that is right for you. This will help you to see the right person, to provide the right care, in the right place, at the right time as efficiently as possible. This includes signposting you to a person or service within the Practice as well as other NHS organisations, social care and in the community.
