Barton Family Practice News – December 2023

The surgery was vandalised on the night of Friday the 10th of November. Several windows on the front of the surgery were smashed in a senseless act of criminal damage which was discovered the following morning. The windows have since been boarded up awaiting replacement. Worryingly, we understand that several vehicles, including one belonging to the Fire Service, which were parked in the adjoining Fire Station car park were also damaged.

We would appeal to anyone who knows anything about this incident or saw or heard anything unusual in the area that night, to please contact the Police on 101. It is sad that facilities on which so many people depend, including the most vulnerable amongst us, together with an emergency service, should be damaged in this way.

NHS App

Have you downloaded the NHS App yet? The App has several useful functions including being able to receive and send messages to NHS services, view your GP health record, view, and manage prescriptions and change your nominated pharmacy, book, and manage coronavirus and flu vaccinations.

You can also check your symptoms on NHS 111 online, find NHS services near you, or if you are a carer, access services for someone else. We highly recommend the NHS App to everyone.

A word about what it is like to work in the NHS now. Sometimes it feels as if some of our patients think we are on opposing sides, with differing aims and objectives. Nothing could be further from the truth. We are public servants who are in the NHS because we want to help people. We are on the same side, and our overriding priority is your welfare. Of course, there will be times when we will not have lived up to our exact standards, but rest assured that we are constantly trying to improve the service we offer you. We are currently able to offer appropriate appointments to most patients who contact us each day, even when contacted in the afternoon. Those who have not heard about the situation in other practices should speak to their friends registered elsewhere. Thankfully, we do not run out of appointments at 8:30 each morning!

Wishing you a wonderful Christmas and a healthy New Year, from your team at Barton Family Practice.