THE WILLOWS NEWSLETTER
NOTICE TO PATIENTS
The Willows Medical Practice works as part of the Westcliffe Group in that there are formal ties within the
partnerships of these practices linking them together. This allows for the sharing of clinical and nonclinical staff and therefore expertise across a group of practices as well as joined up strategic planning for
service delivery. Other practices that are part of the Westcliffe Group are Westcliffe Medical Practice,
Cowgill Surgery (Clayton) and Thornton & Denholme Medical Practice.
APPOINTMENTS BOOKED AND HOW MANY DID NOT ATTEND
Appointments
Doctors
Did not attend
Hours wasted
December 2014
2066
58
10hours 20mins
January 2015
1923
41
7 hours
February 2015
1961
50
8hours 45 mins
Nurse
Did not attend
Hours wasted
829
63
15hours 20mins
987
58
13hours 15mins
939
56
15hours 30mins
Other clinics
Did not attend
Hours wasted
232
48
28hours
212
16
5hours 25mins
215
32
9hours 25mins
Additional GP
Service
Rapid Access
Doctors Ring
backs
December 2014
January 2015
February 2015
436
148
419
126
326
125
March 2015
March 2015
IF YOU CANNOT MAKE YOUR APPOINTMENT, PLEASE LET THE SURGERY KNOW
ROB DAW - ADVANCED NURSE PRACTITIONER
We would like to welcome Rob Daw – Advanced Nurse Practitioner, to the surgery.
He is a RN Adult BNurs (Hon), PG Dip COPD, Non medical prescriber, PG Dip Advanced Nurse
Practitioner.
Rob is an Advanced Nurse Practitioner, a highly experienced nurse who has completed extended training
in order to diagnose and manage a wide range of conditions. Rob is able to prescribe medications and
refer to hospitals where appropriate.
Rob’s specialist area of interest is chronic lung conditions such as COPD and asthma.
CARERS’ RESOURCE
A carer is someone who, without payment, provides help and support to a friend, neighbour or relative who could
not manage otherwise because of frailty, illness or disability. They may even be juggling paid work with caring
responsibilities at home. Carers have a tough job – it can mean unrelenting pressure, little chance to relax and a lot
of worry. The system is complicated, and the issue is hidden.
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The Carers’ Resource provides support for carers, no matter what their age, race, religion or needs. Follow the
links to discover what support we can offer you as a carer, or as someone who might work with carers.
PATIENT PARTICIPATION GROUP
Did you know the Willows have a Patient Participation Group (PPG)? The PPG is a group of patients who
meet with the surgery staff to give comments and suggestions to the Willows on nonmedical topics, the
sort of things which patients may be finding niggling or frustrating. The surgery is keen to listen to patients
and where possible improve your experience of using the surgery.
In February the PPG members will be assisting whenever possible with the Annual Patient Survey, please
take some time to complete a survey if you visit the surgery, they are available at the reception desk, your
views do count!
Please complete the enclosed slip below if you would like to become a member of the PPG.
PATIENTS OUT OF THE AREA
As from 5th January 2015 practices may accept a patient outside of their Practice Boundary. This means
that as a patient you will be able to register with the practice of your choice. However, if you live outside
the practice boundary you will not be entitled to a home visit and will have to find an alternative Doctor to
visit you at home should you need to.
PHARMACY FIRST
Go straight to the pharmacist for expert advice and treatment.
Every year, millions of us visit our GP with minor health problems that our local pharmacist could
resolve.
It is estimated that every year, 50 million visits to the GP are made for minor ailments such as coughs and
colds, mild eczema and athlete's foot.
But by visiting your pharmacy instead, you could save yourself time and trouble.
Instead of booking and waiting for a GP appointment, you can visit your local pharmacist any time – just
walk in.
All pharmacists can recognise many common health complaints. They can give advice or, where
appropriate, medicines that will help clear up the problem.
If your problem is more serious and needs the attention of a GP, your pharmacist will recognise this and
advise you to see your GP instead.
What's more, many pharmacies are open in the evenings and on the weekends.
If everybody went to a pharmacist with common health problems, more time would be freed up for our
GPs. This might make it easier to get a convenient appointment with your GP next time you need one.
So, if you have a common health problem, a trip to your local pharmacy is an option.
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Your pharmacist may be able to help with:
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skin conditions, such as mild acne and mild eczema
coughs and colds, including nasal congestion and sore throat
minor cuts and bruises
constipation and haemorrhoids (piles)
hay fever and allergies
aches and pains, such as headaches, earache and back pain
indigestion, diarrhoea and threadworms
period pain and thrush
warts and verrucas, mouth ulcers and cold sores
athlete's foot
nappy rash and teething
WHAT IS THE NHS FRIENDS AND FAMILY TESTS
The NHS wants to ensure that you have the best possible experience of care.
The NHS Friends and Family Test is a way of gathering your feedback about your experience so we can
make improvement to our services.
Please complete the attached feedback form on reception.
Your feedback will help us learn more about what you think about our service – what you like and what
you think we could improve. Ultimately you’re helping us to make changes that will improve our services.
You don’t have to give your name or contact details, nut you can do so if you chose and we might get in
touch to find out a little bit more about your feedback. If you need support when completing the question
then a volunteer may be available to help you.
WE DO NOT ISSUE PRESCRIPTIONS OVER THE TELEPHONE
We DO NOT issue prescriptions over the telephone. The only time we would do this, is if the GP has
confirmed the patient is Housebound.
 BY E-MAILwillowsprescriptions@bradford.nhs.uk
 ON-LINE www.thewillowsmedicalcentre.co.uk
 BY FAX 01274 818447
 BACK OF SCRIPT - Please complete the counterfoil on the back of the prescription issued
 AT RECEPTION Completing the white requisition form on reception desk
IMPORTANT - We cannot respond to any queries sent to our email and website, because it is a
secure site. We will respond by letter or by telephone.
PLEASE ALLOW 48 HOURS FOR BEFORE YOU COLLECT THE PRESCRIPTION FROM THE SURGERY OR TO THE
DESIGNATED PHARMACY OF YOUR CHOICE
BANK HOLIDAYS 2015
Good Friday
April 2015
Bank Holiday Monday 31st August 2015
th
Easter Monday 6 April 2015
Christmas Day Friday 25th December 2015
May Day Monday 4th May 2015
Bank Holiday Monday 28th December 2015
3rd
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Spring Bank Monday 25th May 2015
SURGERY CLOSED FOR TRAINING IN 2015
Thursday 16th April 2015
Thursday 17th September 2015
Thursday 21st May 2015
Thursday 15th October 2015
th
Thursday 18 June 2015
Thursday 19th November 2015
Thursday 16th July 2015
Thursday 17th December 2015
th
Thursday 20 August 2015
When the surgery is closed, our telephone system will direct you to the Out of Hours service. If you need
medical help fast, but it’s not a 999 emergency, please ring NHS 111 telephone number.
Call 999 in an emergency e g: Chest pains and / or shortness of breath
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