We have changed our online request provider from eConsult to AccuRX. It is live from today (1st December).

We believe this will be easier to complete, as it asks fewer questions, and does not try to collect information such as smoking status, alcohol consumption, weight, etc.

Your requests will be responded to by 7pm on the day of submission.

You can find the link on our website home page below the welcome message, along with a link to a you tube video that shows you how to use AccuRX.

With the cost of living soaring, more and more people are struggling to feed themselves and their families.

There’s nothing worse than hunger when you’re cold, and if you’re struggling to feed yourself or your children, a food bank can supply an emergency parcel with enough food for at least three days.

To receive support from a food bank, you’ll need a referral for a food voucher. Contact your local Citizens Advice: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/debt-and-money/food-bank/using-a-food-bank/

If you don’t have enough food and cannot afford to buy food, you may be able to seek support from the Trussell Trust.

The Trussell Trust is a national foodbank organisation. Visit: https://www.trussell.org.uk/

Remember, if you are in need, your local foodbank is there to help:
https://www.trussell.org.uk/emergency-food/find-a-foodbank

There are also independent foodbanks. Buckinghamshire Council website has information and support: https://familyinfo.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/advice-and-support/money-and-benefits/help-with-essentials/ 

FOODBANKS – serving those in need

• Chiltern Foodbank, 71 The Broadway, High St, Chesham HP5 1BX
  Tuesday – Friday 10:30 – 12:30 (voucher based)
• (Chesham) FoodLife – Restore Hope, The Estate Office, Latimer Park, Latimer, Chesham, HP5 1TU https://www.restorehopelatimer.org/foodlife/ (families only)
• High Wycombe/ South Bucks – One Can Trust, 11B Duke Street, High Wycombe, HP13 6EB
  referral based

COMMUNITY FRIDGES – helping food go the extra mile – all welcome

• Chesham – next to the Broadway Baptist Church, Chesham, HP6 1EG
  Wednesday 10:00 – 12:00am, Saturday 10:00 – 12:00am.
• High Wycombe – Oakridge Baptist Church, High Wycombe, HP11 2PH
  Monday 9:30am – 2:30pm, Wednesday 9:30am – 2:30pm
• Chalfont St Giles – All Together Community Fridge, Blizard’s Yard Car Park, High Street, HP8 4QA
  Wednesdays 10:00 – 12:00 and Saturdays 10:00 – 12:00

FOOD HUBS – no one in our community should have to face going hungry

• Wycombe Food Hub, Chilterns Shopping Centre, High Wycombe, HP13 5ES
  Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday & Saturday 11am – 2pm

Additional Support

High Wycombe Central Aid: Help local people who are in need and/or on a low income with basic essential furniture and electricals.

For those in need of a little extra support to access food, there are lots of wonderful agencies and schemes running within Buckinghamshire.

Buckinghamshire Council have several schemes available to residents in Buckinghamshire, including grants, insulation programs and support and guidance, for more information visit: Buckinghamshire Council Keep Warm

Buckinghamshire Council has published a number of avenues that may support our patients, including access to free or low cost food, financial support and help with other living costs.

Click the link for more information: https://www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/cost-of-living/?utm_medium=email&utm_name=&utm_source=govdelivery 

Christmas Closures
Over the festive season, we shall be closed on the Bank Holidays – Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Day, in addition to the weekends.

When we are not open you can find help and advice here: https://111.nhs.uk
If you need help in an emergency, you should attend A&E, or in a life-threatening emergency, call 999

Prescriptions & Medications

Prescription ordering can be busier than usual in the weeks leading up to Christmas, so please ensure you order your repeat medication with extra notice during this time, and ensure you have enough to cover the festive period into January.

Order now, then focus on the fun things that Christmas brings.

Once it has been confirmed which pharmacies will be open over the Christmas bank holidays, we shall update the website and display notices in the lobby.

Digestive Health

Changes in diet over Christmas, including rich food and less movement, can play havoc with the digestive system, leading to issues such as heartburn, constipation and reflux.

These tips can help to keep your gut healthy over the period of indulgence:

• Limit your alcohol intake
• Eat a varied diet – try to include vegetables and grains to help gut movement
• Take some time to relax – stress and anxiety can increase the speed of digestion, causing diarrhoea and bloating
• Make time to move! Even a gentle walk after dinner can make a huge difference
• Consider a probiotic

However you celebrate, have a gut-friendly season ahead! https://www.kingedwardvii.co.uk/health-hub/how-to-have-a-gut-friendly-christmas

Feeling the chill this winter? Keeping warm is essential for your well-being and health. Winter weather can stop vulnerable people getting out and about, so it’s important to check on your neighbours and friends during this time.

When it’s cold outside, and inside, there are some tips you can use to preserve heat and keep warmer:
Reduce draughts where you can

• Layer up – wear lots of layers of thinner clothing
• Cover extremities – hats, gloves, thick socks and scarves
• Eat healthily with plenty of hot drinks
• Avoid alcohol
• Keep moving
• Hot-water bottles are a great, cost-effective way to keep warm
• Look into financial support such as the winter fuel payment

Keeping the cold at bay can help you stay healthy over the wintry months. https://www.ageuk.org.uk/informatio...keep-well-this-winter/stay-healthy-in-winter/

https://www.gov.uk/winter-fuel-payment

As part of the NHS Digital Transformation plan, all practices are required to have a digital platform.

Our digital platform or online service is called AccuRX and is available through the week.

It can be accessed via our website, from your mobile, tablet or PC, or the NHS App. There is no need to download an app.

AccuRX is a service for patients wanting to contact the GP to request routine appointments, medication requests along with any queries, either clinical or administrative. You should receive a response for medical matters on the same day, and for admin matters within two working days. 

Avoid calling the practice where possible as our phone lines are very busy.

Simply use AccuRX, the link button is located on our home page, and avoid the queues.

FOR PATIENTS WITH CLINICALLY URGENT PROBLEMS NEEDING AN ON-THE-DAY APPOINTMENT, PLEASE CONTINUE TO PHONE AT 08:30 OR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

The Infected Blood enquiry focused on patients who received blood transfusions and blood products between 1970 and 1996, and is now complete.

The final report was published on 20 May 2024. Visit: https://www.infectedbloodinquiry.org.uk/reports 

Although it is likely that the majority of those who were directly affected have now been identified and started on appropriate treatment given the time that has elapsed since the last use of infected products, there may be people who have not yet been identified, particularly if they are living with asymptomatic Hepatitis C.

Some patients will already have been contacted by the blood service as part of the ‘lookback investigations’ which began in the mid-1990s following introduction of HIV and Hepatitis C screening.

What to do if you think you may have received blood in the 1970s and 1980s

If you received blood or blood products prior to 1992, and were not contacted but think you might be at risk of Hepatitis C, please visit:  https://hepctest.nhs.uk/. This NHS website enables patients to request a simple finger prick blood test kit to do at home and post back to the lab, results received within 2 weeks.

It is very unlikely that anyone who has HIV following blood transfusions in the 1970s and 1980s is not already diagnosed and aware of their infection.

For those who are concerned about the risk of HIV infection, further information can be found here: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hiv-and-aids/diagnosis/ and here: https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/other-health-services/hiv-testing      

Hepatitis B, another infection that can be linked to infected blood, usually clears up on its own without treatment; however, if you are concerned about Hepatitis B infection more information can be found here: https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/england-infected-blood-support-scheme or your local sexual health clinic: https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/sexual-health/find-a-sexual-health-clinic  

The government has published guidance for patients, please visit: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5d1613ec40f0b609da30d37c/Information_for_patients_on_the_Infected_Blood_Inquiry.pdf

Patients and families affected/infected are entitled to compensation. More information about the compensation scheme can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/infected-blood-compensation-scheme-summary/infected-blood-compensation-scheme-summary

As part of a government change to the structure of the NHS, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West Clinical Commissioning Groups [CCGs] merged to become BOB ICB.

They have launched a stakeholder newsletter to enable patients to keep abreast of the current services and changes being proposed in hospital and community care.

To view the nesletter, please visit: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKBOBICS/bulletins/3a14197   

If you wish to subscribe to the newsletter, clicl on the link above, scroll to the bottom of the home page and subscribe. You can unsubscribe at any time.