April 2018

NHS England have advised the Mid Essex Clinical Commissioning Group that they must encourage all member practices to reduce the money spent on prescribing OTC (Over the Counter) medicines.

In the first instance, we will no longer be prescribing the following medicines to patients over 18 year old: cetirizine & loratidine tablets, sodium cromoglycate eye drops, beclometasone (beconase) or fluticasone (flixonase) nasal sprays.  You will need to buy these from a chemist in future.

Click here for further information http://www.freshwell.co.uk/info.aspx?p=6

February 2018

When you book an appointment, please let the receptionist know a brief reason why you need to see a clinician. This will allow them to book you in with the most appropriate person. Thanks to CREAMER funding, we now have a Orthopaedic Specialist Practitioner working here twice a week. He is able to give advice regarding musculoskeletal injuries. You can book to see him directly without a referral from one of our doctors.

January 2018

Think #3beforeGP

The Royal College of General Practitioners is currently running a campaign asking everyone to help alleviate the pressure on GP Practices across the UK.  It simply asks you to consider....

Before making a GP appointment, can I?

1) self-care

2) use NHS Choices or a similar reputable UK resource

3) seek advice from a pharmacist

December 2017

To improve communication we are introducing a new FREE text message appointment booking confirmation and reminder service for all patients aged 18yrs and over.  If you would like to be included in this service please make sure we have your current mobile number.

If we already have your mobile phone number you will receive a text messaging asking if you would like to opt in/out of this service.  If you choose to opt out this can be done by a simple return of text, but you can always opt in at a later date if you change your mind.

If you remain opted in you will start to receive text messages to confirm your appointment giving you the option to cancel your appointment directly by return of text.

Our plan is to expand this service to allow us to inform you if a clinic has been cancelled, the flu jabs are now available or if the Doctor would like you to book an appointment to discuss recent test results.

Please help us to keep your records up to date by informing us on any changes to your mobile telephone numbers to ensure you continue to be included in this text messaging service.

October 2017

Our children's flu vaccines have now arrived. Children who were 2 or 3 on 31st August 2017 are eligible. Please ring for an appointment if you would like your child vaccinated. Primary school aged children will be vaccinated at school.

We have now installed hearing loops at both the reception and dispensary counters. We would like to thank The CREAMER Fund for financing this important improvement to our practice for patients who are hard of hearing. We have added signs to each counter to help them know where to stand for the best reception. There is also a portable device available for use in the consultation rooms. Please ask at reception if you would like this to be made available when seeing a doctor or nurse. the portable device can be used without a hearing aid if necessary.

September 2017

We are now taking bookings for our flu clinic on Saturday 7th October. Eligible ADULT patients (over 65s, pregnant women, carers, patients with certain chronic diseases, immunosuppressed and obese patients) should phone reception to book. Further information relating to flu vaccinations for children will follow shortly.

August 2017

Our Summer 2017 Newsletter is now on the website and available to download.  Head over to the newsletters page to find what has been happening behind the scenes at Freshwell Health Centre.

4th July 2017

Building works are currently underway at the surgery. Because we are having a new reception counter fitted the main entrance is not in use. Please follow the signs to enter at the rear of the building. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

June 2017

Please note that due to a technical error on the website previous news items have been lost.