The Portchester Practice

28/07/2025

We are very proud to have been ranked 14th best GP surgery in Hampshire in the national patient survey. Thank you for all your support

If you are interested you can find the survey results here

https://www.gp-patient.co.uk/patientexperience/results?code=J82012

Check if your GP surgery made the list 🩺

23/07/2025

The summer holidays are here! If you need advice about your child’s health or wellbeing during the holidays, visit the Healthier Together app or website.

Summer holidays can bring plenty of opportunities for fun and adventure but can also be a time where minor injuries occur, as well as heat-related illnesses and common infections. The Healthier Together website offers clear, reliable advice created by healthcare professionals to help families make the right decisions about caring for their child if they do become unwell.

Dr Tom Bertram, Local GP and Clinical Director for Primary and Local Care at NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight, said “We want children to enjoy their summer and for parents to feel reassured that there is easy to access help and advice at your fingertips. If your child is feeling unwell or has had an injury, there are a number of services available across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight where you can get help.

“If you’re unsure of where to go or what to do, the Healthier Together website is a great place to start as it helps identify what’s normal and when to seek help. The website offers guidance for common childhood illnesses, injuries and symptoms as well as advice on sun safety, mental health, and emotional wellbeing.

“It can help you decide whether you can self-care at home or if you need help, which service is best for the needs of children aged up to 18.”

Parents and carers are also encouraged to make sure children are up to date with their vaccinations, pack a family first aid kit for day trips and holidays and keep a close eye on children around water.

Download the Healthier Together app or visit the website for more information - you'll find the link in the comments.

15/07/2025

Have you downloaded the NHS App? More than 62 per cent of residents in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight are now using the NHS App to order prescriptions, make appointments, view their test results and more.

The App allows patients to view their GP health record, and makes it easier for people to better manage their condition without having to phone their GP surgery.

To make sure you receive these reminders and messages, it is encouraged that you switch on your notifications for the app.

Start using the NHS App today by downloading it on your smartphone or tablet via the Google play or App store. You can also access the same services in a web browser by logging in through the NHS website.

19/06/2025

We are supporting a new NHS campaign launching today to increase uptake in cervical screening among women aged 25 to 29.

The Love Your Cervix campaign will target those who are either due or overdue their first and second screening appointments. It is designed to encourage them to ‘love your cervix, show it you care,’ by booking an appointment with their GP practice when invited by the NHS for their cervical screening, and get checked out to help stop cancer developing.

In addition, Love Your Cervix is designed to increase awareness about the importance of cervical screening and promote healthy behaviours that can improve overall health outcomes.

Dr Charlotte Hutchings, Local GP and Clinical Director at NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight said: “We want young women to take charge of their health, take-up their invitation to attend cervical screening and develop the healthy habit of regular cervical screening for the rest of their lives.

“It is a not a test for cancer, it is a test to help prevent cancer and usually only takes a few minutes. Our health practitioners can put you at ease and help support you through this safe, simple and effective process.

“If you are scared or have concerns, please speak to your practice, as they will do all they can to make you feel safe and reassured.”

NHS screening helps prevent cervical cancer by using a highly effective test to check for high-risk HPV, which may cause abnormal cells to develop in the cervix. These abnormal cells can, over time, turn into cancer if left untreated. The test takes less than 5 minutes and the whole appointment takes 10 minutes.

It is important all eligible women attend screening. Whatever your age or where you live, if you’ve been invited to attend your cervical screening please book an appointment with your GP practice.

21/02/2025

For minor illness please think Pharmacy First ✅

29/12/2024

Poorly children? Visit the Healthier Together website or download the app to get up to date advice on what to do, where to go and how to treat a whole variety of common childhood illnesses and ailments. It's like having a GP in your pocket.

24/12/2024

Wishing you a very merry Christmas from everyone at The Portchester Practice. We hope you have a restful and enjoyable festive time.

If you need help over the festive period, don't forget that you can visit 111 online, or call 111, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year - including for urgent mental health support.

Some pharmacies will also remain open, even on the bank holidays, and can offer you help and support. Search 'NHS find a pharmacy' to find the nearest one open near you.

21/12/2024

We know that the darker days and longer nights can be a real challenge for some people, and have a significant impact on their ability to manage their mental health.

Today is winter solstice - the longest night of the year. That means that from tomorrow every day will start to get a little longer and brighter again as we build back up to spring.

Till then though, if you need support through the long nights, there are lots of services you can reach out to:

- NHS 111: Available 24/7 to anyone in crisis.
- Papyrus: Under 35s can call 0800 068 4141 or text 88247, 24/7.
- Samaritans: Call 116 123 to talk to someone, 24/7.
- Mind: Call their helpline on 0300 102 1234, 9-6 Monday-Friday.
- Shout: Text 'SHOUT' to 85258 for help, or text 'YM' if you are under 19.
- CALM: Mental health forum and chat for men, 5pm-midnight every day. Call or Whatsapp 0800 585 858.

19/12/2024

05/10/2024

The Portchester Practice is offering both flu and COVID vaccinations today, walk-ins welcome.
Come down any time before 5:00pm (closed for lunch between 1 and 1:30)
If you have an appointment booked in the coming weeks but prefer your vaccines today, you are also welcome.

04/10/2024

Following a recent post on a local forum, we would like to remind patients of our processes regarding access to GP appointments.

Please be advised that we are not a walk-in service or an emergency service, so it is not possible to arrange immediate access to a GP for patients presenting themselves at reception.

The best way to access our services is to complete an online consultation via our website www.theportchesterpractice.nhs.uk

Once this has been submitted, it will be reviewed by our care coordination team, who are supported by a duty GP, and you will be contacted on the same day with the suggested outcome which we believe is clinically suitable for your needs: this may be a same day face to face or telephone consultation with a GP or urgent care practitioner, referral to the pharmacy, text or email advice, referral to one of our allied healthcare professionals such as a clinical pharmacist or musculoskeletal practitioner or a routine GP appointment.

For patients who do not have access to the internet, or who are not able to complete an online consultation, we ensure that they are not in any way disadvantaged and are still able to access the same care: these patients can phone the practice on 02392 176101 and one of our receptionists will go through your symptoms with you and this can then be submitted to our care coordination team for consideration.

Online consultations are available Monday-Friday 0700-1600. The facility can be closed earlier if the maximum capacity that our team can manage safely has been reached. We ask that patients who believe they might need same day care submit an online consultation as early as possible in the day to ensure we can meet your needs.

Our receptionists are unable to take clinical requests for a patient at the reception desk due to patient confidentiality, hence the reason we request patients to call the surgery if unable to complete one online.

We would like to remind you that our reception team work very hard to assist our patients and always uphold the principles of confidentiality and respect for our patients. We would ask that this respect is reciprocated by our patients and people refrain from making any unsubstantiated or abusive comments which are intended to offend.

Thank you for your understanding
The Portchester Practice

Tel: 02392 176101…

05/09/2024