Patient Autumn Newsletter

Autumn Covid & Flu Vaccine Clinics

As we move into Autumn 2025, it will soon be time for all eligible patients to have their Flu and Covid-19 vaccines. All eligible patients should by now have received their invitation to make an appointment at one of our Clinics.

Patients should use the booking link or call us on 01275 335666 (please call after 2pm)

Flu & Covid Autumn 2025 Clinic dates:

4 October 2025, 11 October 2025, 18October 2025 and 8 November 2025

To be eligible for the vaccines, patients must be:

• Over 65 – Flu only
• Over 75 and immunosuppressed over 18 – Covid & Flu

Additional eligibility for the Flu vaccine (only) is:

• Carers for elderly or disabled person
• All frontline workers – clinical and nonclinical
• Close contacts of immunosuppressed patients.

We will also be visiting our eligible housebound and care home patients to provide their vaccines. If you think you may be eligible, but have not received an invitation, please call us and ask to speak to a Care Co-ordinator.

NHS Cervical Screening – Digital results launching September 2025

From September 2025, the NHS plans to start sending results from the NHS Cervical Screening Programme, utilising the NHS App. In September, those who have a negative test result will be notified of this by an NHS App message.

It will also appear as an NHS App notification. If the NHS App message isn’t read within 72 hours, a letter will be sent as a failsafe. Abnormal result letters will continue to be delivered by post for the time being.

Continuity of Care starts 15 September 2025

Clevedon Medical Centre is working hard to improve continuity of care, but what does that mean for you? At this practice, we believe you will get the most effective care if you have a strong relationship with a GP.

Seeing the same person when you attend is one way of strengthening that relationship and we are working hard to make sure that is possible.

Why are we doing this?

Over the past few years, there has been lots of publicity about how important it is to see your doctor quickly, but there is also lots of evidence that seeing the same person is just as important as seeing someone rapidly.

What are the benefits?

If you see the same person, or small team of people, over several appointments, then the levels of trust between you both are likely to grow. Studies have shown that increased trust leads to a better experience because patients are:

• More satisfied and more likely to have a good relationship with their GP
• Less likely to have to go to A&E or be admitted to hospital
• More likely to follow the advice they are given and take positive steps to look after their own health

Are there any disadvantages?

It may be that sometimes we will ask you to wait a little bit longer for an appointment so that we can make sure you see ‘your’ doctor (or nurse). If you have an urgent problem, we will always make sure you are seen as quickly as we can. Our continuity-based GP list system starts from 15 September 2025 From Monday 15th September, for routine appointments we will aim to book patients with their ‘usual GP’. Every GP will also have a buddy GP - which means if your usual GP has no availability, you will be booked with their ’buddy’ GP.

What are the next steps?

We kindly ask for your co-operation and help with this new system as it is designed to improve your own healthcare. For routine appointments, it might be that another GP is available sooner than your usual GP or their buddy, however we would strongly encourage you to wait and book in with your usual GP. This is because the benefits of continuity of care should far outweigh the benefit of a slightly shorter wait for an appointment.

Next PPG Meeting

The next PPG meeting will be held on 16th September 2025. The meeting will be dedicated to the practice’s plans to improve continuity of care with a presentation by Dr Streeton. Anyone who is interested in playing an active role in the PPG should sign up here.

Technology for better care – Pilot Study

Do you or a family member ever have difficulty remembering to take your medications on time? Or sometimes skip, or miss a dose altogether? The Technology for Better Care Study could help.

This is a trial of digital technologies that can be useful in helping people manage their daily medications. Patients of Clevedon Medical Centre can take part. Each technology will be free to use for the whole trial, which runs until January 2026 If you are interested in taking part please contact us by completing an online Accurx form.

Team Update - Say ‘hi’ to our new Registrar GPs

Three new Registrar GPs have recently joined our team at the Surgery. They are Dr. Cameron Montgomery, Dr. Rosie Pettit and Dr. Vita Stagno. They have been ‘buddied’ up with other GPs, so you could be offered appointments with them over the coming 6-18 months.

Discover the power of ordering prescriptions through the NHS App

Ordering repeat prescriptions via the NHS App provides 24/7 convenience, allowing you to order medication at any time, from any location, without needing to visit your GP practice.

This digital tool offers greater control over your health, lets you select a convenient pharmacy to receive your medication, and provides greater visibility into your prescription status and history.

Key Benefits for Patients

• Convenience: Request repeat prescriptions anytime, anywhere, 24/7, without needing to call your GP surgery during opening hours.
• Control: You are in better control of your own health, able to order medications when you need them and choose your preferred pharmacy to receive them.
• Visibility: Track the status of your prescription and view your medication history in one secure place.
• Flexibility: You can change the pharmacy your prescription is sent to at any time, making it easier to collect your medication at a location convenient to you. Need help with the NHS App? Join one of our free, regular Digital Drop-in Sessions – ask Reception to be added to the invite list. Thank you for reading our newsletter. If you would like to hear more about a particular topic, please let us know. Clevedon Medical Centre Team

Published: Sep 11, 2025