The Hereward Practice

The Hereward Practice Welcome! We cannot answer medical questions on Facebook. Welcome to The Hereward Practice! About Lakeside Healthcare!

Our close-knit team of GPs, nurses, allied health professionals, administrative and reception staff, are dedicated to providing the best possible healthcare services for our community. Our team works collaboratively to provide healthcare services at The Hereward Practice. We are fortunate to have a close-knit team of GPs, nurses, allied health professionals, administrative and reception staff, who

are all dedicated to providing the best possible service for our community. Patients are at the heart of what we do and we couldn’t do it without our extensive team. We are lucky to have so many experienced and long serving colleagues, plus newer staff who are committed to a career in Primary Care. We have an experienced management team who deal with the daily running of our practices and our patient service advisors are there to help whether you have a medical concern or administrative query. They are very busy so if your enquiry can wait until after 11am each day then that would be appreciated and should save you time either waiting on the telephone or in our reception areas. We engage regularly with patients through our Patient Participation Group, taking their views into account where possible when making changes and listening to their views, issues and ideas. We also have productive working relationships with the Integrated Care Board and Care Quality Commission and make improvements as and where we can. As well as our daily work in surgeries we also work in the local community, making home visits, providing healthcare for residents in local care homes and offer advice and support on lifestyle and non-clinical issues with our Personalised Care Team of care coordinators and social prescribers. We are busier than ever so thank you for your understanding while we continue recruit, train and develop our team and working practices to see as many patients as we can safely. The Hereward Practice is a part of Lakeside Healthcare, a large GP partnership that provides NHS care for around 170,000 patients across Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire, Peterborough and Northamptonshire. We are made up of eight GP practices across 14 sites that are all part of their local communities. We work together as practices to provide resilience, sharing learning and professional back-office support services. Our most important asset is our people, who provide care for our patients and help run our surgeries smoothly. We employ over 500 clinical and non-clinical staff and we invest in training and developing to ensure that we retain and attract good quality staff who want to stay with us and be part of our team. We also host a clinical research team who run high quality clinical trials and studies to support the development of new medications and preventative treatment for long-term conditions. We are proud of what we do and strive to demonstrate our values of Caring, Respect, Quality and Teamwork in everything we do. For further information please visit our website.

Looking for something fun to get the kids moving?Fitness coach, Joe Wicks MBE, has just released a new online series for...
23/07/2025

Looking for something fun to get the kids moving?

Fitness coach, Joe Wicks MBE, has just released a new online series for children and families called Activate. It's a free animated series to keep them physically active over the summer. Each workout is for five minutes and is led by Joe dressed as an animate character.

➡️ You can watch the first episodes of Activate online now: https://ow.ly/3MWj50WsyFf.

We’d like to thank more than 500 patients who took the time to complete our recent survey.We have also looked at the lat...
15/07/2025

We’d like to thank more than 500 patients who took the time to complete our recent survey.

We have also looked at the latest national GP Survey which had similar questions and which had 116 responses. Our patient survey showed an improvement on all measures, for two consecutive years and, we are continuing to build on this momentum.

The national GP patient survey also showed upward trends in key areas, including good overall experience, both with the practice and when contacting us.

Over the past few months we have implemented a Total Triage system meaning that all cases are submitted through Anima. If patients do not have online access our team can do it on their behalf.

Our receptionists are no longer having to ask patients to call back the following day unless the platform has reached capacity.

So far some of the benefits have been:

We have amended appointment slots meaning more are available each day

We can process simple requests more quickly

Anima is open consistently, until we reach capacity, from 7.30am to 11.00am and 1.30pm to 4.30pm on weekdays so patients can submit a request at the most convenient time

Call waiting times have fallen as the number of telephone calls has reduced

Once triaged, patients can book their own appointment time with a doctor of their choice

There has been a substantial reduction in the 8am rush as our patients have realised the early pressure to get an appointment has been alleviated

Our patient survey results this year showed:

78% of respondents were offered an appointment (up 2% from last year)

77% said that their overall experience of our service was good or very good (up 4%)

78% said they found it easy to contact us (up 6%)

Call waiting times have reduced with 76% of calls being answered in under 10 minutes.

Patients were more satisfied than in previous years in seven key areas including being able to access our practice (up 20 points) being happy with their appointment and likely to recommend our practice (both up 17 points).

Our national GP patient survey results this year showed:

85% of patients had a good overall experience of our practice (up 6%)

78% said they had a good overall experience of contacting us (up 5% and above national and ICS figures)

62% said it was easy to contact us by phone (up 9% and above national and ICS figures)

99% of people knew what the next steps would be within two days of contacting us (up 1% and above national and ICS figures)

The surveys also highlighted general areas of concern around access and continuity of care which we want to continue to address.

Lead GP, Dr Tom Ashley-Norman said: ‘Both the Lakeside and National GP Surveys give us valuable feedback and statistics so thank you to everyone who took part. We are pleased that patient satisfaction has increased for two consecutive years.

‘We have introduced accountless access to Anima, our online platform, which makes it easier for registered patients to get in touch, and we look forward to further developments with the NHS App and what it should mean for patient access. We have read the hundreds of comments that patients have taken the time to submit and continue to work closely with our Patient Participation Group.’

08/07/2025

Check your skin like Dr Mountis does☀️

We’ve launched a new campaign to help raise awareness of melanoma and the importance of both early detection and protecting your skin in the sun.

Our Skin Check Challenge features Dr Mountis, a GP at one of our partner practices, Lakeside Healthcare at St Neots. In the video, he explains how to check your skin for signs of melanoma and what to do if you notice any changes.

You’ll see him outdoors – but don’t worry, he’s wearing Factor 50 sunscreen and following all the right steps to protect his skin.

We’ve also shared a simple sun safety checklist on our website to help you stay protected while enjoying the outdoors.

👉 Watch the Skin Check Challenge video on Facebook, website or on our YouTube channel.
👉 Use the ABCDE checklist to check your skin.
👉 Share the video and help spread the word using .

Early detection can make all the difference. A simple skin check could save a life.

More here: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/SW-yGPHwc8o.

We’re supporting Alcohol Awareness Week. We’re joining Alcohol Change UK to help raise awareness. Small changes to how m...
07/07/2025

We’re supporting Alcohol Awareness Week. We’re joining Alcohol Change UK to help raise awareness. Small changes to how much we drink can make a big difference to our health and how we feel at work.

This year, the focus is on how alcohol and work are linked. Whether it’s long hours, stress, blurred lines between work and home, or peer pressure to drink alcohol at workplace socials, there are so many ways work and alcohol are linked.

This , are starting a conversation about how alcohol and work are linked and you can be part of it. Join the conversation here: https://ow.ly/Amet50Wi9YT.

03/07/2025

‼️PATIENT NOTICE ‼️
On Thursday 3rd July, the Anima platform will be open all hours between 7:30am & 2pm, then closing for essential maintenance.
The platform will reopen as normal at 7:30am on Friday 4th July and resume normal opening hours of 7:30am-11am & 1:30pm-4:30pm.

Tell us what you think about using online healthcare services 📣We’re working with the Health Inequalities Team at NHS Li...
03/07/2025

Tell us what you think about using online healthcare services 📣

We’re working with the Health Inequalities Team at NHS Lincolnshire Integrated Care Board to understand how we can better support patients who use digital healthcare services.

We know that not everyone finds it easy to use things like online forms, booking systems or the NHS App. That’s why we’re asking for your feedback.

We’ve created a short survey to help us understand any challenges patients may face and find ways to make online healthcare easier and more inclusive for everyone.

The survey takes around five minutes to complete and is mostly multiple choice. You can fill it in online at: https://forms.office.com/e/WnF0udMz6s.

Paper copies are available at reception and in the waiting room for anyone who cannot complete the survey online. Alternatively, if you are supporting someone who would struggle with the online version, we’d really appreciate your help in filling it out with them, especially if they are unable to get to the practice.

Your views will help us shape services that work better for all patients.

Thank you for your support.

We’re making some improvements to the flooring in our foyer from today until Friday 4 July. We understand this may cause...
02/07/2025

We’re making some improvements to the flooring in our foyer from today until Friday 4 July. We understand this may cause some inconvenience, and we’re really grateful for your patience and understanding while the work takes place.

During this time, there will be a few temporary changes to how you access the building and our services.

Main entrance
The main entrance will be closed. Please use the side door in the car park to enter the building. Just press the buzzer and a member of the team will let you in.

Dispensary access
Our main dispensary window will be closed, but we’ll be serving patients from the window at the front of the building instead.

Posters and signs will be in place to help guide you.

Collecting prescriptions
If possible, we kindly ask that you collect any prescriptions before or after these dates to help keep things running smoothly.

We know this may be a little disruptive, and we’ll do everything we can to make your visit as straightforward as possible.

Thank you again for your support as we carry out these essential improvements.

The Hereward Practice Team

01/07/2025

Cervical screening is changing – Dr Tobin from our partner practice Lakeside Healthcare Corby and Brigstock Surgeries breaks it down in under 60 seconds 👇

From July 2025, people aged 24.5 to 49 who attend routine cervical screening will see a change to how often they are invited for their next test.

Under the updated NHS Cervical Screening Programme, anyone in this age group who tests HPV negative at their next routine screening will be invited for their next test in five years, instead of the current three.

This brings the screening schedule in line with people aged 50 to 64, who are already offered screening every five years after a negative result.

The change follows national recommendations and is based on research. Studies show that:
• HPV testing is the most accurate way to identify those at risk of cervical cancer.
• A negative result means the risk of developing cervical cancer is very low.
• It is safe and effective to extend the gap between tests to five years.

Anyone who tests positive for HPV will continue to be monitored as before. This may include earlier follow-up or further testing if needed.

People who have had previous HPV-positive results may still be invited sooner, until a negative result is confirmed.

Those who miss their screening appointments will continue to receive reminders every three years until they attend and receive a negative result from a clinician-taken sample.

Self-sample tests will not be used to move people to five-year intervals. If your most recent test was from a self-sample kit, your next invitation will remain on a three-year cycle for now.

Screening schedules may also differ for people with certain medical conditions, such as those who are immunosuppressed or living with HIV.

If your next test is HPV negative, you will be invited again in five years.

If you are already waiting for your next screening invitation, this will not change, you will still be contacted as originally planned.

The new schedule will apply only after your next test, from July 2025 onwards. For more information about cervical screening, visit www.nhs.uk/cervicalscreening. You can also visit our website too.

To learn more about what to expect during your appointment, you can also watch our GP Talks video. In it, Dr Mittal from Lakeside Healthcare Corby and Brigstock Surgeries explains how the test is done, what your results mean, and how it helps protect your health https://youtu.be/X-hs6d8_k_E?si=4yEmtR0msgootAs9.

We’re making some improvements to the flooring in our foyer between Wednesday 2 July and Friday 4 July. We understand th...
26/06/2025

We’re making some improvements to the flooring in our foyer between Wednesday 2 July and Friday 4 July. We understand this may cause some inconvenience, and we’re really grateful for your patience and understanding while the work takes place.

During this time, there will be a few temporary changes to how you access the building and our services.

Main entrance
The main entrance will be closed. Please use the side door in the car park to enter the building. Just press the buzzer and a member of the team will let you in.

Dispensary access
Our main dispensary window will be closed, but we’ll be serving patients from the window at the front of the building instead.

Posters and signs will be in place to help guide you.

Collecting prescriptions
If possible, we kindly ask that you collect any prescriptions before or after these dates to help keep things running smoothly.

We know this may be a little disruptive, and we’ll do everything we can to make your visit as straightforward as possible.

Thank you again for your support as we carry out these essential improvements.

The Hereward Practice Team

Dear Patients We will be closed for all routine appointments today Thursday (26 June 2025) from 2.00-6.30pm for practice...
26/06/2025

Dear Patients

We will be closed for all routine appointments today Thursday (26 June 2025) from 2.00-6.30pm for practice learning time for all of our staff.
Thank you for understanding the importance of this training and how we strive as a practice to give our patients the best possible care.

Normal service will resume Friday morning at 8.00am.

Lots of patients are getting in touch about prescribed weight loss injections. To be eligible you have to meet the follo...
23/06/2025

Lots of patients are getting in touch about prescribed weight loss injections. To be eligible you have to meet the following criteria. For more information please visit our website.
Thank you.

It’s  . The NHS has pledged to eliminate cervical cancer by 2040. If you have received an invitation for cervical screen...
21/06/2025

It’s .

The NHS has pledged to eliminate cervical cancer by 2040.

If you have received an invitation for cervical screening or missed your last screening, please don’t wait - book an appointment as soon as you can.

You can find more information about cervical screening on the NHS website: https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/cervical-screening. You can also hear our some of our GPs at Lakeside Healthcare talk about cervical screening in our GP Talks video series - just search our GP Talks playlist to watch: https://www.youtube.com//playlists.


Address

Bourne

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 6:30pm
Tuesday 8am - 6:30pm
Wednesday 8am - 6:30pm
Thursday 8am - 6:30pm
Friday 8am - 6:30pm

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