What are the opening hours?

Monday 7am - 6:30pm Tuesday 7am - 7:30pm Wednesday 7am - 6:30pm Thursday 7am - 6:30pm Friday 7am - 6:30pm

Birchwood Medical Practice

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Birchwood Medical Practice

Birchwood Medical Practice is located in Brislington, Bristol and provides NHS Primary Care Services to the great people of BS4.

Phone lines close 1-2pm except for urgent medical issues

09/07/2025

🔥 MENOPAUSE & WEIGHT LOSS MEDS: What You Need to Know! 🔥

If you’re on HRT for menopause and have started a weight loss or diabetes medication like Wegovy, Ozempic, Saxenda, Mounjaro, or similar… read this!

⚠️ GLP-1 medications can slow down your stomach. This means your body might not absorb other medication as well—including your HRT meds.

So what could happen?
→ Hot flushes coming back
→ Night sweats
→ Mood swings
→ Trouble sleeping

Don’t panic—but do take action!

✅ Chat with your doctor about switching to non-tablet HRT options like patches, gels, sprays, or implants. These bypass your stomach and work differently.

✅ Keep track of how you’re feeling. If menopause symptoms return or get worse after starting your GLP-1 medication, get medical advice.

Your comfort and hormone balance matter! 💪

08/07/2025

🌟 CONTRACEPTION - Heads Up for Anyone Taking Weight Loss Meds! 🌟

Are you taking oral contraception and taking a GLP-1 medicine like Wegovy, Ozempic, Saxenda, Mounjaro, or similar for weight loss or type 2 diabetes?

Here’s something important you should know:

👉 These GLP-1 meds can slow down how your body absorbs oral meds—including birth control pills. This could make your birth control less effective, especially in the first 4 weeks of starting them or after a dose increase.

✅ What to do:

Use a backup method (like condoms) for at least 4 weeks after starting GLP-1 meds or talk to your prescriber about increasing your dose.

Your health matters! Check out the leaflet attached for more details, and talk to your prescribing doctor if you have questions. 💙

20/06/2025

🧠💙 Learning Disability Week 2025 💙🧠
📅 17–23 June
Theme: Do You See Me?

👀 "Do You See Me?" means:

See me for who I am

Listen to me

Include me

At Birchwood, we want everyone to feel:
✅ Welcome
✅ Safe
✅ Included

💬 If you have a learning disability, we can support you by:
🕒 Giving you more time at your appointments
😌 Offering quiet or calm rooms
🗣️ Using easy words or pictures
🤝 Involving your carer or support worker
📄 Giving you easy-read letters or forms

💡 Your health matters to us.
We’re here to help you stay well. ❤️

📞 Need support or want to talk?
Call us or pop in—our friendly team is ready to help.

📚 Want to know more?
Check out Mencap’s Easy Read guide to Learning Disability Week here:
🔗 https://www.mencap.org.uk/easyread/learning-disability-week-2025

You can also find more information on our website : 🔗 https://www.birchwoodbristol.nhs.uk/policies/support-for-autistic-patients-and-patients-with-learning-disabilities/
🌟 Let’s make healthcare better for everyone! 💪🌈

19/06/2025

☀️🔥 Beat the Heat – Stay Safe This Summer! 🔥☀️

The temperature's rising, and it’s important to look after ourselves AND each other. Here are some top NHS tips to stay cool and protect those most at risk:

💧 Stay hydrated – Drink plenty of fluids, even if you’re not thirsty.
🏡 Keep it cool – Close blinds during the day and open windows when it’s cooler at night.
👕 Dress for the weather – Wear loose, light-coloured clothing and a wide-brimmed hat if you're outside.
🧓 Check on others – Older people, babies, and those with health conditions are especially vulnerable. Give them a call or pop in to check they’re okay.
🧊 Stay out of the sun between 11am and 3pm – that’s when it’s hottest.
❄️ Cool yourself down – Use a damp cloth, take cool showers, or sit with your feet in cold water.

Together, we can help each other stay safe and well in the heat! 💙

18/06/2025

🩺 Cervical Smear Week 2025: Your Health Matters
It's Cervical Smear Week! This week, we want to remind everyone about the importance of cervical screening (also known as a smear test).

✅ What is a cervical screening?
A cervical screening is a test that checks the health of your cervix (the opening to your womb from your va**na). It looks for changes that could lead to cancer in the future. The test is quick, usually takes only a few minutes, and is done by a nurse or doctor.

📅 Who should have a cervical screening?
In the UK, cervical screening is offered to women and those with a cervix aged 25 to 64. You will receive an invitation when it's time for your test.

💡 Why is it important?
Cervical screening can find changes early, before they turn into cancer. This helps prevent cervical cancer and saves lives.

🗣️ Tips to make your screening easier:
Ask for a longer appointment if you need more time.

Bring someone you trust with you.

Wear a skirt or dress to keep comfortable.

Talk to your nurse if you have any worries or questions.

📞 What if I missed my screening?
If you missed your last screening or are not sure when it's due, contact your GP practice. They can help you book an appointment.

📚 Want to know more?
You can find more information in the easy-read leaflet here: bit.ly/smear-test-easy-read

⏰We will be introducing more early and late appointment times to suit those with day time commitments from later in July. If you or someone you know needs more support at a smear test, please let us know so we can accommodate you :)

24/05/2025

☀️ We can't bring you the sunshine, but we hope you have a fabulous & healthy Bank Holiday weekend!

🩺 If you need to see or speak to a GP, Bristol has an out-of-hours GP service—just call 111 for assistance.

💙 Struggling with your mental health? Immediate support is available—just call 111 and press Option 2 for guidance.

💊 For minor ailments advice or prescriptions, check the link below for Bank Holiday pharmacy opening hours.

Enjoy the weekend & take care! 😊✨

🔗https://www.england.nhs.uk/south/info-professional/pharm-info/pharmacy-opening-hours/

22/05/2025

🌟 Exciting News from Birchwood! 🌟

At Birchwood, we're always striving to provide you with the highest quality of care 💙. That’s why we’re introducing something new and innovative to support your health journey!

🤖✨ Meet Heidi – our new AI-powered medical scribe! Heidi is here to help our clinicians by documenting parts of your consultation, allowing them to focus even more on you.

🛑 Prefer not to have Heidi in your consultation? No problem at all – just let your clinician know! 💬

🔐 Your privacy and data security are our top priorities. Click below to learn more about how Heidi works and how we keep your information safe:

👉 https://www.birchwoodbristol.nhs.uk/2025/05/22/7630/

30/04/2025

🌟 MS Awareness Week | 28th April to the 4th May, 2025 🌟

Join us in raising awareness and supporting those affected by Multiple Sclerosis! 💪💙 Let's come together to spread knowledge, hope, and strength.

🧠 What is MS? Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic illness that affects the central nervous system, disrupting the flow of information within the brain and between the brain and body.

💙 How the MS Society Can Help 💙

The MS Society is dedicated to supporting those affected by Multiple Sclerosis. Here’s how they can make a difference:

Educational Programs: Learn about MS, treatment options, and symptom management strategies.
Support Groups: Connect with others, share experiences, and find emotional support.
Financial Assistance: Get help with financial planning and managing MS-related costs.
Healthcare Resources: Access tailored medical care and find healthcare providers.
Online Communities: Join safe spaces to connect, share stories, and support each other virtually.
No one has to face MS alone. The MS Society is here to provide the necessary support and resources to help individuals live their best lives with MS. 💪✨

💡 How can everyone help?

Educate yourself and others about MS.
Support MS research and advocacy groups.
Share stories and experiences to inspire and connect.
Together, we can make a difference! 🌍✨

16/04/2025

**What to do if you become ill when our Practice is Closed:**

🟢 Do use the NHS 111 symptom checker.
🟢 Do call NHS 111 for advice.
🟢 Do speak to a pharmacist.
Here’s a link to pharmacies open when we’re closed: https://www.england.nhs.uk/.../pharmacy-opening-hours/

🟢 Do remember that GPs are available on bank holidays and weekends. NHS 111 will help you see a GP when needed.
🟢 Do call 999 if it is a medical emergency

🔴 Don’t wait to seek advice if you’re feeling unwell.
🔴 Don’t let your condition or that of someone you care for worsen.
🔴 Don’t wait for our practice to reopen before getting help

After the Bank Holiday weekend, we anticipate high demand when we reopen.
We monitor our capacity to safely manage acute healthcare needs and may need to direct you to other services if we reach full capacity.

🏥For accidents, please visit A&E or your nearest Urgent Treatment Centre—our practice is not equipped as a minor injuries unit.

🌞We hope you stay healthy and well this Bank Holiday. Hopefully, the above information won’t be necessary!🌞

07/04/2025

⁉️ Nervous about technology but wanting to do more on your phone instead of waiting on hold?

✅️ Come to Brooklea this Thursday 1.30-3.30 where Well Aware will be able to support you in getting the most out of your NHS App - or just help you to log in for the first time 😊 📲

27/03/2025

** NOTICE TO PATIENTS: STAFF SICKNESS **

We are experiencing high levels of sickness absence in our Nursing and Reception teams today and tomorrow.

Please only contact the practice for same day urgent needs.

If you do not have to contact the practice today, please don't. Please speak to your pharmacy or 111 for general advice where possible.

All appointments scheduled with Nurse Charlotte for today have been cancelled.
The practice will contact all patients booked for today within the next two working days to reschedule your appointment.

We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding.

Thank you,
The Management Team

21/03/2025

📞☎️📞 Some phone calls are cutting out at Brooklea Health Centre affecting both practices and other buidling tenants.

We have reported to our phone provider.

If you need advice please call 111 / 999 depending on your need.

We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

Address

Brislington

Opening Hours

Monday	7am - 6:30pm
Tuesday	7am - 7:30pm
Wednesday	7am - 6:30pm
Thursday	7am - 6:30pm
Friday	7am - 6:30pm

Website

http://www.birchwoodbristol.nhs.uk/

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