Highparks Medical Practice

22/10/2025

Details on how to join our Patient Partnership group can be found on our website: https://highparksmedicalpractice.nhs.uk/patient-group/ or you can scan the QR code or speak to a member of staff at the practice.

21/10/2025

From wobbly steps, to first words, to the first day at school, Best Start in Life is here to help families at every stage. Explore resources and support at Best Start In Life.

www.beststartinlife.gov.uk

02/10/2025

⚠️ eConsult Service Update ⚠️

We’ve been made aware that eConsult is currently down across Kent and Medway. This is a wider system issue and not just affecting our practice.

We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and thank you for your patience while the problem is being resolved.

If you need urgent medical help, please contact the practice by phone, or dial 111 outside of normal hours.

02/10/2025

Winter Vaccines Update ❄️💉

The NHS has changed who is eligible for the COVID vaccine this winter. This means not everyone who had it last year will be invited this time.

When you come in for your flu and/or COVID jab, our team will be following the new national rules. Please be kind to our staff if you’re told you’re not eligible – it’s not our decision, but we’re here to help guide you.

✅ You can check the latest eligibility on the NHS website before attending.

12/08/2025

From September 2025 and in addition to the support already available, eligible working parents will be able to access 30 hours of childcare per week, over 38 weeks of the year, starting from the term after their child turns 9 months old. This is all part of the government’s Plan for Change to give every child the best start in life by making high-quality early years education and childcare more affordable and accessible for families.

We'd recommend encouraging all parents to find out what they might be eligible for and apply ahead of the 31st August deadline (to start using their hours from 1st September) by visiting:

Information targeted at Parents

31/07/2025

25/07/2025

Unfortunately our phone provider has confirmed there are issues with the call back function which is being looked into. If you need to contact us today, please remain in the queue and do not request a call back.

Apologies for the inconvenience and thank you for your understanding.

24/07/2025

We are currently experiencing issues with our phone system, specifically with making outbound calls. Our phone provider has confirmed that this appears to be a wider issue affecting multiple customers and they are currently looking into this.

Inbound calls are still working, so patients are able to call the practice as usual through to reception.

However, if you have requested a call back, please be aware that it may not take place, as it requires an outbound call. We kindly ask that you do not request a call back today, as there is a possibility you may not receive one.

If you have a scheduled phone appointment with a clinician this afternoon, please be assured that should still go ahead. The call may appear as ‘No Caller ID’, so please be prepared to answer.

We apologise for any inconvenience and appreciate your understanding.

23/07/2025

As part of the Integrated Sexual Health Service ongoing efforts to improve their services, they are planning to introduce a community-based Long-Acting Reversible Contraception (LARC) service. This service is intended to complement the care you are currently provide within general practice.

Before launching this initiative, they would greatly appreciate support in gathering feedback from women who may potentially use the service.

They have kindly asked our patients to complete the attached questionnaire using the QR code.

23/07/2025

This summer, Joe Wicks has released a new animated physical activity series, Activate, which aims to get children moving and having fun.

Co-created by Joe Wicks and Studio AKA (the makers of ‘Hey Duggee’), Activate is backed by the government as part of a new partnership to reach families and schools across the country.

Physical activity is essential for growing bodies and minds. Activate aims to make fitness fun and spark a love of movement in children, by bringing together bright and energetic new characters, alongside well-known upbeat music from exclusive music partner Universal Music UK.

At a time when many parents are concerned about keeping their kids active over the holidays, Activate aims to turn screen time into active time and boost their physical and mental health – over the summer holidays and beyond.

The first episode is out now on The Body Coach YouTube channel, with new episodes out weekly over the summer.

Welcome to the Body Coach TV where I post weekly home workouts to help you get, stronger, healthier and happier.

22/07/2025

📢 Important Notice: Impact of Resident Doctors’ Strike on GP Services 📢

Resident doctors (formerly known as junior doctors) will be taking industrial action from 7am Friday, 25 July to 7am Wednesday, 30 July. This strike is expected to impact ALL NHS services, including GP practices.

To help manage demand during this period and prioritise care for those who need it most, our eConsult service will be CLOSED from Friday, 25 July and will reopen on Wednesday, 30 July.

During this time:
✅ Please think carefully about which NHS service you use
✅contact your GP surgery, where our team will triage your call appropriately or use 111.nhs.uk for urgent health concerns or
🚨 Call 999 only in life-threatening emergencies
🧠 Mental health crisis services remain available through usual routes
💊 Many issues can be managed at your local pharmacy or urgent treatment centre

16/07/2025

Update from Highparks Medical Practice – Higham Site Closure
Despite discussions and strong campaigning by some local campaigners and political representatives to keep the Higham site open, no viable alternative solution has been offered by them or the Integrated Care Board (ICB) at this point.

We are concerned that some incomplete or out-of-context information is circulating across social media, which changes the reality of the situation.

We have submitted a formal application to close Higham because running four sites so close together is not financially or operationally sustainable under current NHS funding.

This decision impacts everyone — if the closure is not approved, the future of Highparks Medical Practice as a whole will be at serious risk.

We have created a document with further information, which can be found https://highparksmedicalpractice.nhs.uk/important-update-from-highparks-medical-practice-higham-site-closure/
We re-iterate this is the most difficult decision we have ever faced as a partnership. This is a difficult step but necessary to safeguard safe, sustainable care for all 15,000 patients.