Sid Valley Practice

21/01/2026

16/01/2026

Sid Valley Practice launches new booking system

Sid Valley Practice is introducing a new way for patients to request appointments and advice, aimed at improving access to care and managing rising demand.
From 4th February 2026, all appointment requests and administrative enquiries will be handled through a new system called Care Compass. The change follows patient feedback about long waits and difficulties seeing a GP.

📝How it works
- All GP appointment requests will be made using an online AccuRx form
- Each request will be reviewed by a GP within one working day
- Patients will then be directed to the most appropriate care as quickly as possible

📞 Inclusive access
Patients can still contact the practice via the website, NHS App, by phone or in person. Staff can complete the form on behalf of patients who do not have internet access.

⚠️ Emergency and Urgent Care Information
- Care Compass is not for emergencies – please call 999 or attend A&E for serious or life-threatening symptoms or contact NHS 111 when the practice is closed.
- Urgent same-day needs will be managed by a clinical team including GPs, nurses and paramedics.
- The walk-in Minor Injury service will continue, 8am–6pm, for injuries sustained within the previous 48 hours.

👩‍⚕️ Patients will continue to receive care from the wider team, including pharmacists, nurses, first-contact physiotherapists and a mental health and wellbeing team, ensuring they see the right professional first time.

📅Key dates
• Current AccuRx online form switches off: 1st February 2026
• Care Compass goes live: 4th February 2026
• Patients are asked to limit routine GP appointment requests from 19th January 2026 where possible

🗣️The practice will also hold two patient engagement sessions:
Thursday 22nd January 2026, 3pm – St Theresa’s Church Hall
Thursday 22nd January 2026, 6.30pm – Beacon Medical Centre

30/12/2025

The NHS is introducing MMRV vaccination into the routine childhood vaccination schedule from 1 January 2026 to replace MMR vaccination.

The new routine MMRV vaccine schedule will offer 2 doses with the first dose recommended at the 12-month appointment. The second dose will be offered at the new 18-month appointment. Older children will receive a second dose at 3 years 4 months.

09/12/2025

Beacon medical centre & Victoria cottage hospital opening times over Christmas & New year.

09/12/2025

Your local pharmacy opening times over Christmas & New year.

01/12/2025

Prescription requests running up to Christmas.

19/11/2025

Carers Rights Day is on Thursday 20 November

We’re proud to be supporting !

Carers Rights Day is about raising awareness of the rights the UK’s 5.8 million unpaid carers are entitled to, and to help them get the support they need and the recognition they deserve.

Know your rights, use your rights

As a carer, knowing your rights empowers you with information about what you’re entitled to. This helps you feel confident asking for what you need, as well as challenging things when your rights are not being met – whether that be in the workplace or education, in accessing health or social care, or when interacting with other professionals or at home. Find out more about carers rights:

https://go.carersuk.org/CRD

Facebook – carersuk
Instagram -

2025!

17/11/2025

World AMR Awareness Week (WAAW)

What is WAAW?

World AMR Awareness Week (WAAW) is a global campaign held every year from 18 to 24 November to raise awareness and encourage global action to address antimicrobial resistance (AMR). With various events and activities organized worldwide, WAAW promotes a One Health approach to addressing AMR across human, animal, plant and environmental health.

Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites no longer respond to antimicrobial agents. As a result of drug resistance, antibiotics and other antimicrobial agents become ineffective and infections become difficult or impossible to treat, increasing the risk of disease spread, severe illness and death.

10/11/2025

Armistice Day

On this Armistice Day 11th November 2025, Sid Valley Practice remembers and honours all who served and sacrificed — including those from our own community.

We give thanks for their courage and reflect on their legacy of peace.

We’re proud to be a Veteran Friendly Accredited GP practice and to support our veteran community

If you’re a veteran patient, please do let us know that you have served so that we can make sure you receive the most appropriate and best
care, if and when you ever need it.

You can learn more about the accreditation and how it supports veteran patients, here: rcgp.org.uk/veterans

04/11/2025

Children and diabetes

Are you worried your child has diabetes? Find out the symptoms of diabetes in children.

https://www.diabetes.org.uk/living-with-diabetes/life-with-diabetes/children-and-diabetes/symptoms

These symptoms can be remembered as the 4Ts: Toilet, Thirsty, Tired and Thinner

03/11/2025

Movember is the leading charity changing the face of men’s health on a global scale, focusing on mental health and su***de prevention, prostate cancer and testicular cancer.

GUYS, NAIL THE FIVE
Men will die on average 4.9 years earlier than women and for reasons that are largely preventable, which means that it doesn’t have to be that way. Here’s five ways you can give yourself the best chance at living a healthy and long life.

https://uk.movember.com/mens-health/general