Please note that EMIS Appointment System is currently down and we are unable to book, view and add consultations on our system. This includes reviewing medication and or issuing medication.

This is a national problem that is being currently investigated.

Covid-19 - Spring Booster Vaccinations -people aged 75 years and over, those in care homes, and those aged 5 years and over with a weakened immune system

Information on the program is here:
A guide to the COVID-19 spring booster 2023 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Please click the link for the latest Covid-19 Consent Form - Covid consent form 2023

Ear Wax Removal at Broadshires Health Centre (starts 10 Nov 2022)

We have recently entered into an joint arrangement with Ear Care Clinics, audiology specialists in micro suction ear wax removal.

Jason and Emma are audiologists with over 18 years’ experience between them.

They know better than anyone how much wax occlusion can impact people in their everyday lives and how tricky it can be to find a wax removal service. Their reason for specialising solely in wax removal is to offer the best dedicated care with as little stress and inconvenience to our patients. Currently providing wax removal services to GP practices and hospitals in the North Cotswolds area, we are delighted that they have decided to add Broadshires Health Centre to to one of their locations.

Every Thursday from 10 November 2022, Emma will be available for you to book directly by contacting them through their website Ear Care Clinics

This service is available not just to Patients of Broadshires Health Centre, but anyone who lives in the surrounding area.

INFECTION CONTROL & MASK WEARING (05/09/2022)

Patients are no longer required to wear masks in the reception area, waiting room or any outdoor waiting areas.

You will be required to wear a mask* - that you supply yourself - in either a Treatment or Consulting Room where two or more persons are present.  This is a requirement under infection prevention control (IPC) guidance in healthcare settings.

*There are some circumstances where people may not be able to wear a face covering.  Please be mindful and respectful of such circumstances.  Some people are less able to wear face coverings, and the reasons for this may not be visible to others.

This includes (but is not limited to):

• children under the age of 11 (the UK Health Security Agency does not recommend face coverings for children under the age of 3 for health and safety reasons)

• people who cannot put on, wear or remove a face covering because of a physical or mental illness or impairment, or disability

• people for whom putting on, wearing or removing a face covering will cause severe distress

• people speaking to or providing assistance to someone who relies on lip reading, clear sound or facial expressions to communicate

• to avoid the risk of harm or injury to yourself or others

• police officers and other emergency workers, given that this may interfere with their ability to serve the public

*We will continue to exercise our discretion with regards to patients and staff who have genuine concerns about wearing face masks.  Our priority is your safety and that of our staff.

APPOINTMENTS DILEMMA

For the last 12-18 months we have increasingly asked our practitioners (GPs, Nurses, ANPs) to "squeeze" additional appointments into their day to try and help meet demand.  We took the decision to adopt this approach because we believed our staff shortage would be resolved over the short to medium term.

You will not be immune to news almost everyday that more and more staff are leaving the NHS.  Also, stories about how fewer people are choosing healthcare/NHS as a career.

Hence, we continue to find it very difficult to employ new staff, especially GPs.  We are told by our peers locally and elsewhere in the country, that they are also finding it difficult to employ new staff.

So, it is with a heavy heart that we have taken the decision to return to a more manageable level of appointments each day for our clinical staff.  We will not be so able to squeeze additional appointments when the demand is greater than the availability of clinical staff on a given day.  We will need you to bear with us.  I know this is a big ask and many of you do understand that we are trying to offer you the best service we can under the circumstances.  Thank you for your support and for working with us, we do appreciate your patience.

If we do not take this decision NOW, more of our staff will burn out and suffer ill health and/or leave the NHS for good.  We do not want this to happen for our patients, for our team of excellent staff here at Broadshires.

In partnership with Broadshires Pharmacy, the Rural West Primary Care Network (Bampton, Charlbury and Burford practices) we are rolling out improved information to help you self care for minor illness and symptoms.  We might also recommend you call NHS111, visit Minor Injuries or A&E, if we do not feel we can meet your need soon enough.

Many of you will know our Practice Manager, Katie Nickless, who has been at Broadshires for some years.  Katie is working so hard to enhance the relationships with Broadshires Pharmacy, the Rural West PCN and other associated services.  Katie is organising further training for our staff and, Katie is at the heart of our recruitment process, actively interviewing and sending out offers of employment to those who we feel will bring something really excellent to our team.

The pandemic has probably left a lot of us feeling a bit more anxious about being ill, especially if the person experiencing difficulties is a child or elderly relative.  We will not turn away anyone who has a critical and urgent need.  We are enhancing the triage training of our Patient Coordinators and they will continue to treat you all as individuals and not just a statistic on our patient list.  Please help us by listening to their explanation of the next steps for you to take.  That might be some self care, a conversation with a Pharmacist, a telephone call with a practitioner.  We are not trying to fob you off, we are trying to do our best to use the appointments we have each day for anyone who is in absolute need.

Please DO NOT though, feel that your need is not as valid as another patient.  We will work out who needs to be seen and make those decisions.

We do have more amazing new staff joining over the next few months; Patient Coordinators, HCA's, Practice Nurses, GP Registrars.  We will continue to actively recruit for permanent GP staff, in the meantime, we are taking on Locum staff to work either remotely or in the Practice.

I know that for some of you, this will be unacceptable news.  I genuinely do care about your views and so encourage you to let me know your thoughts by email.

Please keep an eye on our website as we update you on the current situation as it changes daily.  Also, look out for information about how you can self care and use other associated services effectively to support your healthcare needs.

INFECTIOUS DISEASES/CONDITIONS

DO NOT ATTEND THE PRACTICE if you develop known symptoms of any infectious disease, including COVID-19. 

Follow this link for a comprehensive list of known infectious diseases

Please take responsibility for protecting others - fellow patients and staff - by NOT coming into the building if you have known symptoms or suspect you may be developing symptoms.

We are committed to following NHS Infection Control procedures, protecting vulnerable patients and staff, also ensuring that we continue offer a service to the community, however reduced that service might be some days.

For assistance, please phone through for a telephone consultation.

Thank you so much for your understanding and compliance, in advance.

Practice Telephone System

In our recent bulletin, we reported changes planned to our telephone system.  This is not an insignificant project and most important is continuity of service as we transition.

For the time being, you will continue to experience difficulties getting through when the phones are busy.  This is NOT because we switch off the phones when we cannot take the pressure!

We typically have 3 or more reception staff answering the phones all day between 08:00 and 18:30 each working day.  The phones are put to voicemail over lunch time 13:00 to 14:00 to allow handover between the AM and PM teams.

There is no typical phone call - they can last between 1 and 20-30 minutes, it depends upon your needs.  As soon as a call has been completed, our team update your notes, action anything required and move instantly onto the next call.

We are looking at other ways for you to access services - web and app based, self service, pharmacist support and other services.  This will reduce your need to phone to get the help you need, hence it will reduce the volume of call traffic.

If you would like to give any feedback about the impact of the current situation, please email alex.ruff1@nhs.net

Prescription Requests - Please allow 5 working days for us and Pharmacy to process your prescription.  If you have regular medications, please make yourself a note to request a repeat in plenty of time.  Each time a prescription is required "urgently" that could have been ordered ahead, it requires a receptionist to print a prescription and interrupt Duty Doctor to have the script signed and taken over to Pharmacy.  Then for Pharmacy to stop their regular work and prioritise your script.

UTI Service in Community Pharmacy (Women only)

Please use the following service before asking for an appointment with a GP or Prescribing ANP.  The service will undoubtedly be quicker and more convenient for you and help reserve scarce appointments for other patients.

The service is available to non-pregnant women aged 16 – 64 years old requiring treatment for an uncomplicated UTI, presenting with 2 or more of the following symptoms:

1. Dysuria (Burning pain when passing urine)

2. New nocturia (Needing to pass urine in the night more than usual)

3. Cloudy urine (visible cloudy colour when passing urine)

Patients do not have to make an appointment for this service, it’s a walk-in service. But it is recommended patients call the pharmacy first to see if the pharmacist registered to provide this service is working on the day. Telephone consultation during COVID-19 pandemic are also permitted under this service with a patient representative sent to collect the antibiotics.

The EXCLUSION to this service and thus will need a prescription is:

• Under 16y or over 65y
• Pregnant, possible pregnancy, breast feeding 
• Allergies to nitrofurantoin
• Fever >38 C, nausea/vomiting, lower back pain, severe abdominal pains, headache, abnormal vaginal discharge, blood in urine (unless menstruating)
• Women treated for UTI with antibiotics in the last 2 weeks, or on 2 occasions in the last 6 months or 3 during the previous 12 months 
• Women currently taking a prescribed course of antibiotics/current preventative UTI antibiotics 
• Previous failed antibiotic treatment for the same infection episode
• Kidney or liver disease 
• Women with catheters
• Diabetic, anaemic, HIV, nerve disorders (incl. peripheral neuropathy) patients on immunosuppressants

Below is a list of the pharmacies in Oxfordshire who are registered to offer the OCCG Nitrofurantoin Patient Group Direction: