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Patient News

Catchment Area Changes

These changes will not affect any current registered patients (or their families registered at the same address).

Where are we at?

We have become victims of our own success with a biggest growth of any practice in Bracknell. 

Why has this happened?

Some of the list size increase has arisen due to recent large local developments. The majority of the increase in list size is due to other factors- a result of retention of existing patients, local newspaper and social media reviews, and word of mouth prompting new patients to join.  As you may be aware, there is a severe and chronic lack of staff in General Practice. We are keen to increase team and are working towards it.

What examples can you give of areas of good care?

Although we have grown tremendously, we have done our utmost not to compromise the very best level of care that we can offer via the NHS. This has been demonstrated in a many quality areas like, Regionally we have some of the lowest A&E attendance rates, Low 111 utilisation, Low rates of hospital admissions, We have some of the highest levels of face-to-face appointments and GP appointments, High levels of staff retention and Highest smears rates locally.

How will this affect me?

The changes would, if anything, have a positive impact on the care provided to existing patients, enabling us to avoid a transition to the sub-optimal system and enabling us to maintain the level of service and care provided to date. The changes would mean that some prospective patients on the peripheries of the current catchment area, currently able to register would not be able to.In effect the changes are to help us maintain our current high standard of service provision and prevent, through necessity, the introduction of processes that reduce patient choice and reduce the safest modality of consulting i.e. face to face. There will only be a small minority of prospective new patients affected, primarily those who are mainly housebound or those requiring more complex local care services as such as domiciliary care provided by the district nurses. Obviously, the secondary effects of these changes may disincentive new patients to register and in doing so slow the growth.

How can I feedback any concerns I may have regarding the changes directly to the practice management?

We welcome any feedback, and you can do this completing the feedback form on our website or if you prefer you can do this via post or you can drop a physical letter to reception.

Thank you for your continued support and understanding.

Crownwood Medical Centre

These changes will not affect any current registered patients (or their families registered at the same address).

Where are we at?

We have become victims of our own success with a biggest growth of any practice in Bracknell. 

Why has this happened?

Some of the list size increase has arisen due to recent large local developments. The majority of the increase in list size is due to other factors- a result of retention of existing patients, local newspaper and social media reviews, and word of mouth prompting new patients to join.  As you may be aware, there is a severe and chronic lack of staff in General Practice. We are keen to increase team and are working towards it.

What examples can you give of areas of good care?

Although we have grown tremendously, we have done our utmost not to compromise the very best level of care that we can offer via the NHS. This has been demonstrated in a many quality areas like, Regionally we have some of the lowest A&E attendance rates, Low 111 utilisation, Low rates of hospital admissions, We have some of the highest levels of face-to-face appointments and GP appointments, High levels of staff retention and Highest smears rates locally.

How will this affect me?

The changes would, if anything, have a positive impact on the care provided to existing patients, enabling us to avoid a transition to the sub-optimal system and enabling us to maintain the level of service and care provided to date. The changes would mean that some prospective patients on the peripheries of the current catchment area, currently able to register would not be able to.In effect the changes are to help us maintain our current high standard of service provision and prevent, through necessity, the introduction of processes that reduce patient choice and reduce the safest modality of consulting i.e. face to face. There will only be a small minority of prospective new patients affected, primarily those who are mainly housebound or those requiring more complex local care services as such as domiciliary care provided by the district nurses. Obviously, the secondary effects of these changes may disincentive new patients to register and in doing so slow the growth.

How can I feedback any concerns I may have regarding the changes directly to the practice management?

We welcome any feedback, and you can do this completing the feedback form on our website or if you prefer you can do this via post or you can drop a physical letter to reception.

Thank you for your continued support and understanding.

Crownwood Medical Centre

Measles cases are on rise

Please visit the link to check for symptoms 

Measles - NHS (www.nhs.uk) 

Please visit the link to check for symptoms 

Measles - NHS (www.nhs.uk) 

Easter Bank Holiday Pharmacy Opening times

Please click on the link below to find out pharmacy opening hours during Easter Bank Holiday.

Find a pharmacy - NHS (www.nhs.uk)

Please click on the link below to find out pharmacy opening hours during Easter Bank Holiday.

Find a pharmacy - NHS (www.nhs.uk)

Try the NHS App

If you’re a patient at our practice, you can use the NHS App to access a range of NHS services on your smartphone or tablet. 

It doesn’t replace existing services. You can still contact us in the usual ways. But, once you have verified your identity in the app, you will have easy, 24/7 access to a growing range of health services and information. 

You need to prove who you are to get full access to the NHS App. You must also be aged 13 or over and be registered with a GP surgery in England or the Isle of Man.  With full access you can: 

Get advice and information: 

  • search symptoms, conditions, and treatments
  • get health advice through 111 online
  • find NHS services near you
  • check your NHS number

Manage appointments: 

  • book and cancel appointments
  • check your referrals and hospital appointments
  • manage vaccinations

Manage prescriptions: 

  • nominate a pharmacy and order repeat prescriptions

Manage your health: 

  • access your GP health record securely
  • register your organ donation decision
  • take part in health research

Send and receive messages: 

  • send an online form about your symptoms, conditions, or treatment directly to the surgery
  • receive messages and notifications
  • view messages from your GP surgery and get notifications through your phone or tablet

Help someone else: 

  • link profiles. You can apply to access the health records, appointments and prescriptions of people you care for (including children) – or get help from someone you trust

If you already use [insert name of GP online service available at practice] you can continue to use it. But the NHS App will give you easy and secure access on your smartphone.   

Keeping your data secure 

To access the NHS App, you will need to set up an NHS login and prove who you are. Your NHS App then securely connects to information from your GP surgery. 

If your device supports fingerprint detection or facial recognition, you can use it to log in to your NHS App each time, instead of using a password and security code. 

If you have any problems using the NHS App, you can select ‘help’ in the top right-hand corner of the app or visit nhs.uk/helpmeapp

If you’re a patient at our practice, you can use the NHS App to access a range of NHS services on your smartphone or tablet. 

It doesn’t replace existing services. You can still contact us in the usual ways. But, once you have verified your identity in the app, you will have easy, 24/7 access to a growing range of health services and information. 

You need to prove who you are to get full access to the NHS App. You must also be aged 13 or over and be registered with a GP surgery in England or the Isle of Man.  With full access you can: 

Get advice and information: 

  • search symptoms, conditions, and treatments
  • get health advice through 111 online
  • find NHS services near you
  • check your NHS number

Manage appointments: 

  • book and cancel appointments
  • check your referrals and hospital appointments
  • manage vaccinations

Manage prescriptions: 

  • nominate a pharmacy and order repeat prescriptions

Manage your health: 

  • access your GP health record securely
  • register your organ donation decision
  • take part in health research

Send and receive messages: 

  • send an online form about your symptoms, conditions, or treatment directly to the surgery
  • receive messages and notifications
  • view messages from your GP surgery and get notifications through your phone or tablet

Help someone else: 

  • link profiles. You can apply to access the health records, appointments and prescriptions of people you care for (including children) – or get help from someone you trust

If you already use [insert name of GP online service available at practice] you can continue to use it. But the NHS App will give you easy and secure access on your smartphone.   

Keeping your data secure 

To access the NHS App, you will need to set up an NHS login and prove who you are. Your NHS App then securely connects to information from your GP surgery. 

If your device supports fingerprint detection or facial recognition, you can use it to log in to your NHS App each time, instead of using a password and security code. 

If you have any problems using the NHS App, you can select ‘help’ in the top right-hand corner of the app or visit nhs.uk/helpmeapp

How you make a complaint about primary care services has changed

There are two ways people can make a complaint about GPs, dentists, opticians or pharmacies:

o They can complain to the healthcare provider: this is the organisation where they received the NHS service, for example a GP practice, a dental practice, a community pharmacy or an optometry practice or

o They can complain to the commissioner of the service: this is the organisation that paid for the service or care they received.

After 1 July 2023 if people want to make a complaint about primary care services to the commissioner, the way to do this is changing. Rather than contacting NHS England, people will contact the Complaints team via new contact details below:

South East Complaints Hub

NHS Frimley ICB

Aldershot Centre for Health

Hospital Hill 

Aldershot 

Hampshire 

GU11 1AY

Phone number: 0300 561 0290 

Email address: frimleyicb.southeastcomplaints@nhs.net

As each email received is so important to the team, an acknowledgement to all complaints will be sent as soon as possible.

Information governance regulations mean that the emails sent to the old email address after 1 July, cannot be automatically forwarded and the inbox will not be accessible. People will therefore receive an automatic response, asking them to resend their email to the new address.

Members of the public with ongoing complaints received after 1 July 2022 will receive a letter from NHS England informing them that the Complaints team based in the South East Complaints Hub, hosted by NHS Frimley ICB will now be handling their complaint with confirmation of their case handler. We would like to reassure you that the current team and case handler will remain the same as the staff move organisation.

Members of the public will still be able to make a complaint to the provider. This is NOT changing. There is also no change for people wishing to make a complaint for specialised services, health and justice, screening and immunisations and Continuing Healthcare.

There are two ways people can make a complaint about GPs, dentists, opticians or pharmacies:

o They can complain to the healthcare provider: this is the organisation where they received the NHS service, for example a GP practice, a dental practice, a community pharmacy or an optometry practice or

o They can complain to the commissioner of the service: this is the organisation that paid for the service or care they received.

After 1 July 2023 if people want to make a complaint about primary care services to the commissioner, the way to do this is changing. Rather than contacting NHS England, people will contact the Complaints team via new contact details below:

South East Complaints Hub

NHS Frimley ICB

Aldershot Centre for Health

Hospital Hill 

Aldershot 

Hampshire 

GU11 1AY

Phone number: 0300 561 0290 

Email address: frimleyicb.southeastcomplaints@nhs.net

As each email received is so important to the team, an acknowledgement to all complaints will be sent as soon as possible.

Information governance regulations mean that the emails sent to the old email address after 1 July, cannot be automatically forwarded and the inbox will not be accessible. People will therefore receive an automatic response, asking them to resend their email to the new address.

Members of the public with ongoing complaints received after 1 July 2022 will receive a letter from NHS England informing them that the Complaints team based in the South East Complaints Hub, hosted by NHS Frimley ICB will now be handling their complaint with confirmation of their case handler. We would like to reassure you that the current team and case handler will remain the same as the staff move organisation.

Members of the public will still be able to make a complaint to the provider. This is NOT changing. There is also no change for people wishing to make a complaint for specialised services, health and justice, screening and immunisations and Continuing Healthcare.

4 Aug, 2023
18 Aug, 2023
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NHS App: A More Secure and Reliable Way to Receive Messages from Your Surgery

Please click the link below to download the NHS App.

NHS App | www.nhs.uk

Please click the link below to download the NHS App.

NHS App | www.nhs.uk

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Need help with your muscle or joint problems?

The getUBetter MSK app is provided free of charge by Frimley Health & Care ICS for registered patients at GP Practices. It can be accessed on a Smartphone or on the Web, and guides you day-by-day through a sequence of exercises, tips, and support to help you recover from a range of new, recurrent or long term conditions:

  • Lower back pain
  • Back and leg pain
  • Neck pain
  • Shoulder pain
  • Ankle pain
  • Knee pain
  • Soft Tissue Lower Limb pain
  • Hip pain

You can self-refer to the app by clicking on this link

Please use an email address that is unique to you and select the condition you need help to manage. We will then send you an email with all the information you need to get started.

You can download the getUBetter MSK app to your Smartphone for easiest access, or you can use the Webapp.

If you develop another condition, select your new condition from within the app and it will be added to your account.

The getUBetter MSK app is provided free of charge by Frimley Health & Care ICS for registered patients at GP Practices. It can be accessed on a Smartphone or on the Web, and guides you day-by-day through a sequence of exercises, tips, and support to help you recover from a range of new, recurrent or long term conditions:

  • Lower back pain
  • Back and leg pain
  • Neck pain
  • Shoulder pain
  • Ankle pain
  • Knee pain
  • Soft Tissue Lower Limb pain
  • Hip pain

You can self-refer to the app by clicking on this link

Please use an email address that is unique to you and select the condition you need help to manage. We will then send you an email with all the information you need to get started.

You can download the getUBetter MSK app to your Smartphone for easiest access, or you can use the Webapp.

If you develop another condition, select your new condition from within the app and it will be added to your account.

Remote Monitoring Service fpr Complex and Frail Patient

Frimley Health and Care is helping residents with long term health conditions to live their lives with confidence from the comfort of their own home.  

The remote monitoring service enables people to regularly share their health readings, such as their symptoms and blood pressure, with a Digital Health Team.  This team of healthcare professionals can spot any changes and offer clinical advice and further support when needed.  

In the past we had to wait for you to tell your care professional that you need help.  Now, professionals can combine their clinical expertise with the information in your shared care record to proactively offer help such as remote monitoring.  

For more information on how we use your information visit https://www.frimleyhealthandcare.org.uk/about-us/connected-care/

Frimley Health and Care is helping residents with long term health conditions to live their lives with confidence from the comfort of their own home.  

The remote monitoring service enables people to regularly share their health readings, such as their symptoms and blood pressure, with a Digital Health Team.  This team of healthcare professionals can spot any changes and offer clinical advice and further support when needed.  

In the past we had to wait for you to tell your care professional that you need help.  Now, professionals can combine their clinical expertise with the information in your shared care record to proactively offer help such as remote monitoring.  

For more information on how we use your information visit https://www.frimleyhealthandcare.org.uk/about-us/connected-care/

Worried about Strep A or Scarlet Fever?

Dr Streeter De Diego, local GP, Paediatric Doctor & Clinical lead Frimley Healthier Together, talks through what to do if you're worried and when to seek help.

Dr Streeter De Diego, local GP, Paediatric Doctor & Clinical lead Frimley Healthier Together, talks through what to do if you're worried and when to seek help.

Podcast on Strep A with Dr Sabina Shaik

Please listen to the podcast here.

Please listen to the podcast here.

Klinik GO Live Wednesday 28th September

We are excited to let you know that we will be launching our new online consultation service Klinik on Wednesday 28th September at 8am.

If you have a clinical or non-clinical enquiry you could save time by visiting our website www.crownwoodmedicalcentre.nhs.uk, and click on the secure link. You will be asked to complete a simple form that enables you to provide us the information needed to direct your enquiry to the right member of the practice team. Please note this is only available between 8am and 4pm Monday to Friday. If it is after 4pm and your issue needs to be dealt with urgently that day, please call the surgery and the staff will complete the form with you on your behalf. 

We have been aware for some time of the pressure on the phone system and the stress this causes for both patients and staff members and over the past year have been looking at ways to improve our service. We also wanted a system that could help us to make better use of the other clinicians we now have access to such as Paramedic Practitioners, Advanced Nurse Practitioners, Clinical Pharmacists, First Contact Physiotherapists and the Community Pharmacy Consultation Service. Our aim is to make sure we offer fair access to our appointments based on medical need.

For more information about Klinik  visit their Frequently Asked Questions page for patients at Patient FAQs (klinikhealthcaresolutions.com)

We are excited to let you know that we will be launching our new online consultation service Klinik on Wednesday 28th September at 8am.

If you have a clinical or non-clinical enquiry you could save time by visiting our website www.crownwoodmedicalcentre.nhs.uk, and click on the secure link. You will be asked to complete a simple form that enables you to provide us the information needed to direct your enquiry to the right member of the practice team. Please note this is only available between 8am and 4pm Monday to Friday. If it is after 4pm and your issue needs to be dealt with urgently that day, please call the surgery and the staff will complete the form with you on your behalf. 

We have been aware for some time of the pressure on the phone system and the stress this causes for both patients and staff members and over the past year have been looking at ways to improve our service. We also wanted a system that could help us to make better use of the other clinicians we now have access to such as Paramedic Practitioners, Advanced Nurse Practitioners, Clinical Pharmacists, First Contact Physiotherapists and the Community Pharmacy Consultation Service. Our aim is to make sure we offer fair access to our appointments based on medical need.

For more information about Klinik  visit their Frequently Asked Questions page for patients at Patient FAQs (klinikhealthcaresolutions.com)

15 Jun, 2022
Help us help you get the right urgent care and support

Frimley Health has launched a new electronic patient record system that is affecting the Accident and Emergency (A&E) departments at Wexham Park and Frimley Park Hospitals. Safety remains paramount, so please be patient with the staff. Waiting times are likely to be longer than usual. 

Unless it’s an emergency remember there are lots of alternatives for you to make use of:

  • Visit your local pharmacy
  • During the day contact your GP practice via online consultation or phone
  • Contact NHS 111 online, www.111.nhs.uk or dial 111. If you are calling NHS 111, please be patient. NHS 111 may advise you to contact your GP or its out-of-hours service or attend the Bracknell Minor Injuries Unit.
  • For minor injuries, such as sprains and strains, suspected broken limbs, or minor head injuries, visit the Minor Injury Unit at Brants Bridge in Bracknell or the High Wycombe Urgent Care Centre – open 8 am-8 pm 7 days a week.

Anyone with a life-threatening condition should call 999. Help us to help you by seeking alternatives to A&E where it is safe to do so.

Frimley Health has launched a new electronic patient record system that is affecting the Accident and Emergency (A&E) departments at Wexham Park and Frimley Park Hospitals. Safety remains paramount, so please be patient with the staff. Waiting times are likely to be longer than usual. 

Unless it’s an emergency remember there are lots of alternatives for you to make use of:

  • Visit your local pharmacy
  • During the day contact your GP practice via online consultation or phone
  • Contact NHS 111 online, www.111.nhs.uk or dial 111. If you are calling NHS 111, please be patient. NHS 111 may advise you to contact your GP or its out-of-hours service or attend the Bracknell Minor Injuries Unit.
  • For minor injuries, such as sprains and strains, suspected broken limbs, or minor head injuries, visit the Minor Injury Unit at Brants Bridge in Bracknell or the High Wycombe Urgent Care Centre – open 8 am-8 pm 7 days a week.

Anyone with a life-threatening condition should call 999. Help us to help you by seeking alternatives to A&E where it is safe to do so.

A&E High Demand

The Emergency Departments at Wexham Park and Frimley Park hospitals are currently experiencing an increasing level of demand which is likely to continue throughout this weekend. Please only attend if you have severe symptoms or suffering from a life-threatening condition. Check out our Know Where To Go guide for advice on how to get the help you need quickly and close to home. Remember, if it’s less than an emergency, call 111 https://orlo.uk/MYet4.

The Emergency Departments at Wexham Park and Frimley Park hospitals are currently experiencing an increasing level of demand which is likely to continue throughout this weekend. Please only attend if you have severe symptoms or suffering from a life-threatening condition. Check out our Know Where To Go guide for advice on how to get the help you need quickly and close to home. Remember, if it’s less than an emergency, call 111 https://orlo.uk/MYet4.

14 Mar, 2022
Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Advice in your region:

England | Scotland | Wales | Northern Ireland | Ireland

Get the latest NHS information and advice about coronavirus (COVID-19).

Check if you or your child has coronavirus symptoms

Find out about the main symptoms of coronavirus and what to do if you have them.

Self-isolation and treatment if you have coronavirus symptoms

Advice about staying at home (self-isolation) and treatment for you and anyone you live with.

Testing and tracing

Information about testing for coronavirus and what to do if you're contacted by the NHS Test and Trace service.

People at high risk

Advice for people at higher risk from coronavirus, including older people, people with health conditions and pregnant women..

Social distancing and changes to everyday life

Advice about avoiding close contact with other people (social distancing), looking after your wellbeing and using the NHS and other services during coronavirus.

GOV.UK: coronavirus – guidance and support

Government information and advice.

Advice in your region:

England | Scotland | Wales | Northern Ireland | Ireland

Get the latest NHS information and advice about coronavirus (COVID-19).

Check if you or your child has coronavirus symptoms

Find out about the main symptoms of coronavirus and what to do if you have them.

Self-isolation and treatment if you have coronavirus symptoms

Advice about staying at home (self-isolation) and treatment for you and anyone you live with.

Testing and tracing

Information about testing for coronavirus and what to do if you're contacted by the NHS Test and Trace service.

People at high risk

Advice for people at higher risk from coronavirus, including older people, people with health conditions and pregnant women..

Social distancing and changes to everyday life

Advice about avoiding close contact with other people (social distancing), looking after your wellbeing and using the NHS and other services during coronavirus.

GOV.UK: coronavirus – guidance and support

Government information and advice.

24-hour dedicated advice line for pregnant women

Frimley Health's new 24-hour telephone triage service supporting pregnant women and new mums goes live at Wexham Park Hospital on 28 April 2022. 

The Maternity and Midwifery Advice and Support (MAMAS) Line is a collaboration with South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS) and provides a single point of contact for women from 16 weeks into their pregnancy through to 28 days postpartum.

A team of our midwives will give consistent, evidence-based advice to women who are concerned about their pregnancy or who think they may be in labour. They will signpost other callers to alternative services when appropriate.

From 28 April at Wexham Park, mothers and families should call 0300 013 2004 to contact MAMAS Line. The same number will be able to be used by Frimley Park families in a few weeks' time.

The team, which will be based at the SCAS northern headquarters in Bicester, Oxfordshire, will also monitor 999 calls, enabling them to provide support when needed and to offer guidance to paramedics on the road. Their expertise could result in some ambulance callouts being stood down, ensuring they are available to respond to other emergencies. 

The scheme will replace separate telephone triage lines currently operating at Wexham Park and Frimley Park hospitals, ensuring all future calls are answered in a timely manner and improving the experience for women.

The initiative is another example of the Trust collaborating with our partners to improve services for our communities - one of our key strategic ambitions.

The new phone number will be shared with women in their maternity notes and widely publicised in our hospitals, clinics and in the community. 

Debbie Simkin, Lead Midwife for the Telephone Triage Project, said: “This brand new and innovative pregnancy advice telephone line will give women and community clinicians access to 24-hour evidence-based, consistent advice and support from midwives via a single point of contact.

“It will maximise our clinical expertise and empower women during pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period.”

Frimley Health's new 24-hour telephone triage service supporting pregnant women and new mums goes live at Wexham Park Hospital on 28 April 2022. 

The Maternity and Midwifery Advice and Support (MAMAS) Line is a collaboration with South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS) and provides a single point of contact for women from 16 weeks into their pregnancy through to 28 days postpartum.

A team of our midwives will give consistent, evidence-based advice to women who are concerned about their pregnancy or who think they may be in labour. They will signpost other callers to alternative services when appropriate.

From 28 April at Wexham Park, mothers and families should call 0300 013 2004 to contact MAMAS Line. The same number will be able to be used by Frimley Park families in a few weeks' time.

The team, which will be based at the SCAS northern headquarters in Bicester, Oxfordshire, will also monitor 999 calls, enabling them to provide support when needed and to offer guidance to paramedics on the road. Their expertise could result in some ambulance callouts being stood down, ensuring they are available to respond to other emergencies. 

The scheme will replace separate telephone triage lines currently operating at Wexham Park and Frimley Park hospitals, ensuring all future calls are answered in a timely manner and improving the experience for women.

The initiative is another example of the Trust collaborating with our partners to improve services for our communities - one of our key strategic ambitions.

The new phone number will be shared with women in their maternity notes and widely publicised in our hospitals, clinics and in the community. 

Debbie Simkin, Lead Midwife for the Telephone Triage Project, said: “This brand new and innovative pregnancy advice telephone line will give women and community clinicians access to 24-hour evidence-based, consistent advice and support from midwives via a single point of contact.

“It will maximise our clinical expertise and empower women during pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period.”

Related Information