Dr Baxter and Partners

02/03/2026

26/02/2026

📢Practice Closure Notice📢

Shefford Health Centre be closed today, Thursday 26th February 2026 between 14:30 – 18:30 for essential staff training.

📞 All practice calls will be handled by the NHS 111 service during this time, and our reception will not be available.

👉 If you need medical help, please call NHS 111.
🚨 In an emergency, always call 999.

Thank you for your understanding.

26/02/2026

You may be aware that there have been reports of widespread measles outbreaks in areas around London. While there is not currently a specific outbreak in Bedfordshire, you may wish to catch up on missing vaccines.

All children and adults are eligible for the vaccine on a catch-up basis. However, vaccine might be contraindicated for some people who may be immuno-suppressed. If you would like to have a catch-up dose of the Vaccine, please book an appointment with our practice nurses who will be able to check your medical records and advise you further.

What does measles look like?

Symptoms of measles are: Fever AND rash AND one of runny nose OR cough OR conjunctivitis that last for 2-4 days or up to a week. It’s very unlikely to be measles if you’ve had both doses of the MMR vaccine or you’ve had measles before.

Anyone with suspected measles should stay away from school or work for at least 4 days, rest and take pain relief as needed. They should avoid contact with young babies and anyone who is immuno-suppressed or pregnant.

More information about symptoms and treatment are available on the NHS website.

We are calling on all parents and guardians to make sure their children are up to date with their 2 MMR doses. It’s never too late to catch up, and people can get the MMR vaccine for free on the NHS whatever their age.

25/02/2026

Do you live in Central Bedfordshire and is your baby nearly 6 months old?

It's time for your 6 month contact with our health visiting team.

You should soon receive a text message from us, allowing you to choose and book a session at a time that suits you.
If you haven’t received the link by the time your child is 5½ months old, please give us a call on 0300 555 0606 and we’ll be happy to book you in.

22/02/2026

Children are heading back to school this week. But is your child well enough to go in?

From sore throats and earaches to high temperatures and tummy bugs – it's not always easy to know what to do.

But the NHS website is here to help. Click for some help and advice.

➡️ https://nhs.uk/live-well/is-my-child-too-ill-for-school

13/02/2026

09/02/2026

What is Rapid Health Triage? watch video here https://vimeo.com/948772217/f3e9d87d1b

Introducing Our New Appointment Booking System: Rapid Health Triage

Launching Monday, 16th February 2026, Shefford Health Centre is excited to roll out a new and improved way for you to request appointments — the Rapid Health Triage System.

We’ve heard your frustrations with the 8am phone rush, long queues, and difficulty booking appointments. The new system is designed to make it easier, faster, and fairer for everyone to access the care they need. This is the next step up from the current process.

How It Works

Fill in a simple online form – it takes about 4 minutes.
Receive an email with either an appointment offer or professional advice.
Choose your clinician and appointment type (face-to-face or phone), if available.

Watch this short explainer video: Rapid Health – Patient Explainer

Why the Change?

We’re responding to your feedback. With increasing demand and limited GP/Clinical time, Rapid Health helps:

Ensure fairer access for all patients
Match you with the most appropriate clinician
Reduce phone line pressure
Provide quicker, more accurate care

What Is Rapid Health?

An NHS-approved digital triage tool that lets you:

Submit a medical request
Make an admin request
Access self-help advice from trusted NHS sources

From our website, just click Rapid Health and choose:

Medical Request – for symptoms or concerns
Admin Request – for forms, notes, prescriptions, and more
Self-Help – for instant trusted health information

Important Dates & Preparation

Launch Date: Monday, 16th February 2026

Before Then:

Please make sure we have your up-to-date email address.

Look out for a text inviting you to update your contact info

Booking an Appointment – Step-by-Step

Starting 16th February:

Visit our website and click ‘Access Rapid Health Triage’
Select the option that suits your need:
Adult Medical Request – for new health concerns
Questions & Admin – for prescriptions, forms, letters, results
Self-Help – for NHS guidance
Provide your name, date of birth, postcode, email, and contact details
Answer a few brief questions

The system will either:

Offer an appropriate appointment
Forward your request to a GP for review — we’ll respond within 48 hours

PLEASE DO NOT SUBMIT MULTIPLE REQUESTS FOR THE SAME ISSUE

Don’t Worry – We’re Here to Help!

If you struggle with online forms, our reception team can help you complete the form over the phone.

FAQs

What time is Rapid Health available?

From 7:30am, Monday to Friday. It will close once that day’s safe capacity is reached.

Who can I book an appointment with?

GPs
Advanced Nurse Practitioners
Minor Illness Clinicians

Can I choose a specific GP?

Yes — if your preferred clinician is available, their name will appear for selection.

Can I pre-book?

Yes — appointments are allocated based on clinical need and availability.

What’s Not Currently Covered by Rapid Health?

Please contact reception directly for:

Nurse appointments (e.g. blood tests, vaccinations, smear tests)
Annual condition reviews (e.g. diabetes, asthma, heart)
Medication reviews
6-week baby checks and postnatal care
Contraceptive advice and prescriptions
NHS Health Checks
Home visits

Confidentiality

Your personal information is securely stored in your medical record.

Reception staff follow strict confidentiality rules — if your concern is private, they will handle it discreetly.

No Internet? No Problem

Call the practice and a receptionist will help you complete the online form.

Carers, Family Members & Housebound Patients

You can submit a form on behalf of someone over 16, with their consent.

For children under 16, complete a request on their behalf — the GP will follow up directly or call our reception team.
Let us know if you’re a carer or if you or someone you care for is housebound.
Let us know if you need an interpreter.

Admin Requests

Use this option for:

Sick notes
Test results – These can also be seen on the NHS App
GP letters
Prescription issues
General admin queries

Repeat Prescriptions

Please continue using the NHS App, SystmOnline.

Where to Find Rapid Health

From 16 February, find the Rapid Health button on our homepage.

Integration with the NHS App is coming soon!

Integration with the SystmOnline no plans!

Troubleshooting

I wasn’t offered an appointment – what now?

If your request wasn’t matched to an appointment, it’s would have been passed to a Triage GP for review. You’ll be contacted within 48 hours.

Who books follow-ups?

Your clinician will arrange any follow-up needed.

Why can’t I book directly for under 16s?

This feature is in development. For now, please complete a request on their behalf or call reception.

Have More Questions?

Still unsure about something?

Fill in our general query form (Please don’t submit medical or appointment requests via this form).

We’re learning this new system alongside you — and we’re here to support you every step of the way.

Watch again: Rapid Health – Patient Explainer Video https://vimeo.com/948772217/f3e9d87d1b

This is "Rapid Health - Patient Explainer" by Rapid Health on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.

21/01/2026

Dr Baxter and Partners will be closed tomorrow Thursday 22nd January 2026 between 14:30 – 18:30 for essential staff training.

📞 All practice calls will be handled by the NHS 111 service during this time, and our reception will not be available.

👉 If you need medical help, please call NHS 111.
🚨 In an emergency, always call 999.

Thank you for your understanding.

19/01/2026

We are moving to an improved online patient access system called Smart Triage, which is made by Rapid Health.

This will allow you to self-book medical appointments, and make administrative requests, at your convenience.

The new system will be available in February Date to be confirmed . The link to Smart Triage will be accessible through our website. It will be similar to the process you are currently doing.

No registration or setting of passwords is required to access Smart Triage.

To be able to book your own appointments you must have a valid email address on your patient record. Therefore, we ask you to check and update your email address.

You can do this using the NHS App (see instructions below) or using the change of personal details webform on our website (updating soon).

the following link (video) will give an small insight into Rapid Health

https://vimeo.com/1107530345/c203279518?fl=pl&fe=vl

11/01/2026

Your pharmacist can provide treatment or some prescription medicine, if needed, for seven common conditions - without you seeing a GP.

Think pharmacy first and get seen by your local community pharmacy team.

27/12/2025