St. Bartholomew's Medical Centre

10/01/2023

HARMONIE TRIAL

Is your child under 1 year old? They may be eligible to take part in the Harmonie trial - we are taking part in this trial at St Bartholomew's Medical Centre. This is a randomised controlled trial, where your baby will either get an RSV vaccine, or usual care. RSV is a virus that can cause bronchiolitis in babies and children, and can be an unpredictable illness.

If you're interested in your child taking part, please email sohc.research@nhs.net

23/12/2022

Christmas and New Year opening times

We will be closed on:
Saturday 24th December 2022
Sunday 25th December 2022
Monday 26th December 2022
Tuesday 27th December 2022
Saturday 31st December 2022
Sunday 1st January 2023
Monday 2nd January 2023

We re-open as normal on Tuesday 3rd January 2023.

Please refer to out of hours NHS services while we are closed
https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/urgent-and-emergency-care-services/when-to-use-111/

We would like to wish you a safe and happy Christmas and New Year from the surgery!

22/12/2022

There is currently higher levels of Streptococcal infections within the community than we would expect at this time of year. We have been reassured that the bacterial infections and other viruses circulating are the same strains that circulate each year, however they seem to be infecting people in slightly higher numbers than usual, most likely due to the increase in social interactions this year compared to the previous two winters.


For advice about these infections and what to look out for please visit Healthier together

https://www.what0-18.nhs.uk/

Strep A advice and what to do if your child is unwell

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/strep-a/

Find out about strep A infections, including what the symptoms are, when to get medical help and how mild and severe strep A infections are treated.

22/11/2022

Please note there is currently an issue with our phone lines, the problem is being worked on at the moment. Apologies we appreciate how frustrating this is, we will let you know when the issue is resolved. You can still contact us if you are a registered patient by using the Askfirst app.

11.41 - thank you for your patience, the
Phone system is now up and running again.

AskFirst is an online consultation platform developed in partnership with the NHS. Helping patients to self-help and connect with the right service at the right time, 24/7.

10/11/2022

DIABETES PREVENTION
New research proves the Diabetes Prevention Programme reduces cases of Type 2 Diabetes.

How do I know what my risk is? This risk calculator helps you work out this risk: https://www.lwtcsupport.co.uk/know-your-risk-tool
If you are at risk of developing diabetes, you may be able to enrol on the Healthier You Diabetes Prevention Programme.

Every two minutes someone finds out that they have Type 2 diabetes, a potentially serious health condition that can cause long-term health problems. It can lead to sight loss, kidney failure, loss of a limb, and makes you at least twice as likely to have a heart attack or stroke.

29/09/2022

Work has begun in earnest at our Lake street branch to replace the roof and boiler. All patients can still access full services at the main site on Manzil Way

23/09/2022

Our Lake Street branch surgery will be closed from Monday 26 September 2022 for approximately 10 to 12 weeks. This is because repair works are being done to the building by NHS Properties. Following a risk assessment, the decision has been made to close this site, due to concerns for the health and safety of our patients and of our staff. The site WILL reopen once all repair works have been completed and once it is felt safe to resume clinical practice there once more.

We would like to reassure our practice population that services are continuing as normal at the main surgery on Manzil Way, and at the Brookes Medical Centre.

16/09/2022

Please be aware we will be closed on Monday 19th September in honour of the Queen's funeral and to allow our staff to pay their respects.

All patients with appointments have been contacted and appointments have been or will be rebooked.

If you need medical advice when the surgery is closed please call 111 or visit NHS111 on line.

We thank you for your cooperation and understanding at this time.

05/09/2022

We are looking forward to using our new online consultation system, AskFirst. It offers more than the system we previously used. It is going live today!

Here are some videos to help you see what features it offers.

Introducing AskFirst (formerly Ask NHS) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mMCCTcGJWw

Getting Started with AskFirst (Downloading and creating an account) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9Av48wtnPE

Check Your Symptoms with AskFirst - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7OAJ3HkzXcw

How To Book a Routine Appointment - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DALZ5DrMD_g

Make General Enquiries and Admin Requests - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrFychktWOk

29/08/2022

St Bartholomew's Medical Centre is changing from eConsults to a new system called AskFirst. This is coming in September 2022. This is an app available on your phone, but we are also still available on the telephone!

The app enables patients to interact with a virtual health care assistant called Olivia, she asks a series of questions (approximately 15) to assess your symptoms. Using NICE accredited evidence based protocol, based on your responses, Olivia will recommend the most appropriate onward care which includes self-care advice, appropriate GP appointment, GP call back, advice from NHS.uk and direction to urgent or emergency care.

For patients that need to see a GP, it is able to prioritise into more urgent appointment slots based on their needs and offer less urgent needs a later appointment. Patients are able to directly book an appointment without having to call the practice. In addition, a transcript of the questions and answers is sent to the patient’s practice, helping to make the consultation more efficient and effective.

24/08/2022

We are changing our online consultation system to AskFirst, available from September 2022.

AskFirst is a new app commissioned by BOB ICS to help patients get the right healthcare they need at the right time. It has been developed by a local GPs and leading IT company, Sensely. The AskFirst app is free to download and features an interactive symptom checker which triages the patient to the most appropriate onward care service (self-care, NHS111, GP appointment or accident and emergency) within the appropriate timescale, effectively helping patients to choose the right service available.

AskFirst benefits you because:

· BOOK DIRECT - You can book routine appointments in less than 5 minutes
· SAVE TIME - You will avoid long waits in telephone queues or in queues at the practice
· INSTANT CARE - You get instant referrals to onward care services an cut out any unnecessary consultations in between which means improved care.
· 24/7 CARE - Use AskFirst anytime, day or night. The app is available 24/7, 7 days a week

AskFirst offers all the clinical and administrative services your practice does in exactly the same way. This includes:
· Book routine appointments (smear test, adult/child immunisations, blood pressure checks, asthma reviews and more)
· Booking an appointment with a GP if deemed necessary by the Symptom Checker
· Seek travel advice, self-care advice and find local services (dentist, pharmacy, opticians)
· Amend/cancel appointments
· Choose your own virtual healthcare assistant
· Make general requests and administrative queries

12/05/2022

25/04/2022

We are pleased to be able to say that the phone system is now up and running again. However if your query is not urgent please do delay contacting us until later in the week to allow us to process the existing queries.
Thank you for your patience.

25/04/2022

Apologies, there are problems with our phone system today. This is a problem affecting numerous surgeries and is being worked on. In the meantime if you have an urgent medical problem please use the contact us section of the website www.sbmc.org.uk

05/04/2022

Dear Patients,
The practice will be introducing a monthly meet the Practice manager appointment session-which you can book into as you would do a normal appointment -the appointment slot will be for 15 minutes and the first session will be held at the Manzil Way site on the 17th May, 4.30pm to 6pm. This would be an opportunity to raise any concerns about the practice in general, hear any positive feedback -or discuss a verbal complaint. Please contact reception to book an appointment.
Thank you Nargis Khan and Jo Hearle

05/01/2022

Please follow the link below for support to stop smoking with FREE NI****NE REPLACEMENT THERAPY for a limited time.
https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/residents/social-and-health-care/health-recovery-and-wellbeing/smoke-free-oxfordshire

Stopping smoking is the best thing an individual can do for their health and wellbeing.

22/12/2021

See this post for information about the new isolation rules.

The self-isolation guidance has been updated, including using lateral flow tests to reduce the self-isolation period from 10 to seven days. Below is a summary of the change and what they mean for anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19:

🔵 If you test positive on day 6 or 7, you can re-test yourself later during the 10-day period
🔵 You can leave self-isolation when you have had two negative tests, at least 24 hours apart, on consecutive days – e.g. on days 7 and 8, or days 8 and 9, or days 9 and 10.
🔵 If you leave self-isolation on or after day 7 you are strongly advised to limit close contact with other people in crowded or poorly ventilated spaces, work from home where possible and minimise contact with anyone who might be at risk of severe illness if infected with COVID.
🔵 The new self-isolation approach reflects the latest analysis on how long cases transmit the virus for, and supports essential public services and supply chains over the winter while limiting the virus’ spread.

You can find the full update on the guidance on the gov.uk website: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/self-isolation-for-covid-19-cases-reduced-from-10-to-7-days-following-negative-lfd-tests

02/12/2021

Please see this link to check if you are eligible for the flu vaccine
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/flu-influenza-vaccine/