Practice News

Tips for the Summer

As the weather is getting warmer, it’s incredibly important to protect yourself.

Shade from the sun will keep you safer in summer weather. Clothing should cover skin as much as possible and remember, no sunscreen provides complete protection.

Shade can also provide a good barrier between our skin and the sun so seek shade whenever possible and remember to stay hydrated!

Upcoming Events

• August 25th - Summer Bank Holiday Closure
• October 2nd - Staff training closure from 12:30pm to 6pm

For all upcoming event please see here

NHS Health Checks

NHS Health Checks are available to adults aged 40-74 with no pre-existing health conditions. The comprehensive check-up is designed to assess your risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, such as heart disease and diabetes.

If you are eligible for a Health Check you will be contacted around your birth month.

Hearing Aid Batteries

Unfortunately, due to a change in provider we can no longer supply hearing aid batteries, which is outside of our control. Patients can still collect them from Scrivens Opticians (M&S Opticians, 1st Floor, Marks & Spencer, 212-219 High St, Exeter) or Southwest Audiology Services at Tor View Clinical Rooms (4 Kew Court, EX2 5AZ) and The senate (Southernhay Gardens, EX1 1UG) Postal delivery is also available - call 01392 305746, email info@southwestaudiology.com, or visit www.southwestaudiology.com

Patient Feedback

If you have recently been in contact with us please fill out our practice survey which can be found here

Or you can fill out a paper version in our waiting rooms.

A big thank you to everyone who has completed our feedback form this year. So far we have received 95% positive feedback!

Patient Participation Group (PPG)

We are always looking for new members to join our group! If you have an idea or suggestion to improve patient experience, please let us know:

• d-icb.westbank.ppg@nhs.net
• Learn more about the PPG

Research Studies

At Westbank Practice, we think it is important to be research active and from time to time, your GP may invite you to take part in a particular clinical trial

We have a number of ongoing studies including:

• IID3 (Investigates the causes of infectious intestinal diseases) - Closed for applications. If you have signed up and respond positively to the weekly message, please collect your testing kit from the surgery within 14 days.
• OPTIMISE2 (Tests fluids and blood pressure drugs to improve surgery outcomes in older adults) - Currently consenting patients. If you responded positively to a letter you received in the post, you will be contacted by telephone over the next few months, to book you in for your initial appointments.
• OA HAND (Understanding osteoarthritis in hands) - Open for applications. If you received a text message from the surgery, you can contact the study team directly using the details in the message, they will arrange your appointment.

See here for info on how to join a research study or see here for research at Westbank Practice

Reminder

Due to a recent safeguarding policy change at the pharmacy, which is also out of our control, we kindly ask that you allow a minimum of 3 days for all prescription requests going forward.