Practice Newsletter: August 2026

Patient Survey Results

The results of the latest National Patient Survey are now available.

We were disappointed with the results because our team works hard every day to give the best care possible. Even so, we are grateful to everyone who took the time to share their views.

Although this is not fully reflected in the National Patient Survey, other information shows there is a lot to be proud of. We answer over 94% of our telephone calls, and we offer more appointments per 1,000 patients than the national and regional average. We know that getting help when you need it is important, and we will keep working hard to improve our services.

This year, 561 patients were invited to complete the National Patient Survey, but only 124 people replied. That is a response rate of 22%. This means the results are based on the views of a small number of our patients.

We want to hear from more of you.

In September, we will be sending out our own short patient survey. It will ask similar questions to the National Patient Survey, but it will be quick and easy to complete.

If you receive one, please take a few minutes to fill it in. Every response helps us understand what we are doing well and what we can do better. Your feedback helps us make changes that matter to all our patients.

Please look out for our September survey. The more people who reply, the better we can understand what matters most to our patients and make improvements where they are needed.

Thank you for helping us make our practice even better.

Read the full National Patient Survey results

Flu Vaccination Book Your Flu Vaccinations with Us This Autumn

Our flu vaccination clinics begin in September. If you are eligible, we encourage you to book with us. This includes people aged 65 and over, pregnant women, people with certain long-term health conditions, unpaid carers, care home residents, frontline health and care workers, and eligible children.

We order vaccines especially for our patients, so having your flu vaccine at our practice helps reduce waste and makes the best use of NHS resources.

We will invite pregnant women and eligible children from September, with all other eligible patients invited from October, in line with the national programme.

Please look out for your invitation and book your appointment. Thank you for helping protect yourself and our community this winter.

COVID-19 Vaccinations – Autumn Programme

We will offer COVID-19 and flu vaccines at the same appointment wherever possible.

The autumn COVID-19 vaccine is available for eligible patients, including people aged 75 and over, care home residents, and those with a weakened immune system.

If you are eligible, we'll contact you by text or email with details of how to book your appointment. If you are housebound, we will contact you to arrange a home visit. Combining both vaccines helps protect you before winter and reduces the number of appointments you need.

Practice Closure

We will close for bank holiday on Monday 31 August and reopen on Tuesday 1 September. In an emergency, such as chest pain or collapse please call 999 to speak to the emergency services. To see a doctor when we are closed, please call 111 for advice.

Staff News

We said goodbye to Drs Robert Smith, Jyneva Kanor and Emily Whitehall who completed their rotation with us at the end of July, and, we are pleased to welcome Drs Natalie Bober, Nikita Patil, Philippa Jackson and Emily Stroud who joined us at the beginning of August. We hope you will join us in giving them a warm welcome.

Cancer Screening

Have you received a letter inviting you for Bowel, Smear or Breast Cancer Screening? Do not ignore it. Please call the number stated on your invite letter. Alternatively, contact the surgery by phone or email for further advice

Supporting Our Carers

We recognise and thank all unpaid Carers in our community. Every day, Carers provide vital support to family members, friends, and loved ones living with illness, disability, or age-related needs. We understand that caring for someone else can be rewarding and challenging, and that Carers’ own needs can be overlooked. Carers should always feel valued, listened to, and supported. If you are a Carer or think someone you know may be providing unpaid care please speak to a member of staff. Our Carers’ Champions are here to help you access information, advice, and support. Together, we can ensure Carers receive the recognition and support they deserve.

Reflecting on Pride Month

During July, we were proud to celebrate Pride Month and recognise the diversity and experiences of everyone in our community.

We are proud to hold the Gold Pride in Practice Award, recognising our commitment to providing inclusive, welcoming, and high-quality care for LGBTQ+ patients. Our team continues to build understanding of LGBTQ+ health needs and the barriers some people may face when accessing healthcare.

Our Pride display helped celebrate our community and highlight our commitment to creating a safe, inclusive environment where everyone feels respected and valued.

Facts and figures

Here’s a quick look at what we achieved together in July:

Your calls

• Incoming Calls: 2075
• Answered: 2019 (97.3%)

Your requests

Total Requests: 3966

• Via NHS App: 473
• Care Navigators: 729
• Online: 2764

Average: 308 per 1000 patients - (National average: 139 Regional average: 146)

Appointments and services

• Telephone Appointments: 840
• GP Appointments Offered: 2276
• Blood Tests: 594
• Prescriptions Issued: 3340
• Home Visits: 28

Your feedback

• Friends & Family Test: Total of 165 feedback received. 94.55% of our respondents rated our services as Very Good or Good.

Published: Aug 7, 2026