Cobham Health Centre PPG Newsletter Autumn 2024

Welcome to the Patient Participation Group Newsletter

The purpose of our communications is to keep you up to date with developments at the GP practice and highlight areas that may be of interest and use to you.
 
Please feel free to forward this to other people who might be interested in the contents.
 
With this are two attachments:
 

1. A How-to instruction guide to using the NHS App.  Via the app, you can view your GP health record, order repeat prescriptions, manage GP and hospital appointments, see messages from the surgery or hospital and access help when the surgery is closed. 
2. An introduction to social prescribing. Paul Chouls is the Social Prescriber for the Cobham and Oxshott Primary Care Network, which links the resources of the Cobham Health Centre and Oxshott GP practice to enable better provision of services to the combined patient group that the two practices serve.  As you see from the attachment, Paul helps people aged 18 and above with a wide range of issues from loneliness and social connectivity to housing, financial, mental and/or emotional health, or helping carers receive appropriate support.  His first goal is to help define the issue(s), then to frame appropriate support and a plan of action.  He is available for face-to-face or telephone appointments and is at the Cobham Health Centre on Mondays, Thursdays and Friday mornings.  Additionally, he is available at the Cobham Day Centre from 10am-2pm on Tuesdays.  To set up an appointment, contact, the Health Centre reception, or drop-in to see him at the Day Centre (Oakdene Road, Cobham KT11 2LY).       

 
In other news:

A new appointments system has been launched.  Following an extensive review over several months, including a survey sent to Cobham Health Centre patients, a new appointments system has been introduced, reflecting the opinions of Cobham Health Centre patients.  The aim is to improve continuity of care; enable better access for patients; and ensure that patients are seen by the right person in a timely fashion.  The major changes include:

• The opening of pre-bookable (up to two weeks in advance) phone or face-to-face appointments.
• Pre-bookable appointments will be made with your registered doctor to ensure continuity of care.  Same-day appointments will be made with your registered doctors where this is possible.
• The online booking system has been closed.  However, online prescriptions and administrative support are still available.

The introduction of the new system  has included additional training for staff and the initial feedback from patients and staff about the new system has been positive. Reception is calmer and overall, patients appear happier. The system will be reviewed regularly   
 
Booking is available for COVID and flu jabs:  

• Booking Flu jabs: Winter flu jabs are available for patients that are either clinically at risk due to underlying health conditions or if they are over the age of 65. Please call the practice to book an appointment.
• Booking is available for COVID vaccinations:  Autumn COVID jabs are available to book by using the NHS app, by booking online (https://www.nhs.uk/book-a-flu-vaccination) or by calling 119.

 
Finally:
 
Can you help the PPG:  
We are seeking more members to help support the Cobham Health Centre and its work.  The PPG promotes community involvement in the practice to help provide better services for patients, and works with care staff, doctors and administration to improve overall effectiveness.  We need your help, so if you are interested in working with us and want to attend one of our meetings to find out more, please email us at:  ppg.cobhamhc@nhs.net

Attachment

Published on 4 November 2024