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Patient News

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Testing for gene faults in people with Jewish ancestry

If you are over 18 and have Jewish ancestry (at least one Jewish grandparent) you can now be tested for gene faults in the BRCA genes using a simple saliva test. 

Jewish people have a higher risk of having a BRCA gene fault which could increase the risk of developing certain types of cancer.

The BRCA gene test will identify those people who may be at higher risk of developing these cancers 

leading to more cancers being prevented or detected earlier.

Find out more and register for the test here: NHS Jewish BRCA Programme

This programme is self-referral only. There is no need to contact your GP surgery. For questions or support, call the genetic counselling hotline 020 3437 6001  

This service is provided by the NHS in collaboration with Jnetics and Chai Cancer Care

If you are over 18 and have Jewish ancestry (at least one Jewish grandparent) you can now be tested for gene faults in the BRCA genes using a simple saliva test. 

Jewish people have a higher risk of having a BRCA gene fault which could increase the risk of developing certain types of cancer.

The BRCA gene test will identify those people who may be at higher risk of developing these cancers 

leading to more cancers being prevented or detected earlier.

Find out more and register for the test here: NHS Jewish BRCA Programme

This programme is self-referral only. There is no need to contact your GP surgery. For questions or support, call the genetic counselling hotline 020 3437 6001  

This service is provided by the NHS in collaboration with Jnetics and Chai Cancer Care

13 Feb, 2024
28 Dec, 2023
Longest strike action set to severely disrupt the NHS in the New Year

The NHS will face 6 days of major disruption at a time when services are already under significant winter pressure. 

Junior doctors in England will be taking strike action from 7am 3 January – 7am 9 January, with NHS leaders warning the impact will be very challenging for local services.

The NHS will prioritise urgent and emergency care as consultants step in to cover for junior doctors, who make up 50% of the medical workforce. In more than a full calendar year of action, strikes have seen more than 1.1million inpatient and outpatient appointments rescheduled.

NHS Frimley Integrated Care Board (ICB) and Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust are grateful to people for their support during the several periods of industrial action seen so far, and is calling on the public to give support again to ensure local communities, patients, families, and carers are provided with provide high quality NHS care.

Despite extensive planning and cover arrangements in place, the latest strikes by junior doctors are expected to cause widespread disruption – from the impact on almost all routine care, to an extra admin burden and difficulties with discharging patients. 

The NHS is reminding people that they should continue to use services as they normally would when they need urgent medical help – using 999 and A&E in life threatening emergencies. 

General practice, community pharmacies, and dentistry are open, and the public should continue to access these services as needed on strike days.

Local people are being asked to take the following actions:

  • Choose the most appropriate NHS service for needs and only use 999 and A&E or Emergency Departments for serious or life-threatening emergencies.
  • For anything that isn’t a life-saving emergency, use an alternative NHS service and to use NHS 111 first either online or by phone.
  • Your GP practice offers same day primary care appointments, these may be at your practice or at another location for example an Urgent Care Centre.
  • Slough Urgent Care Centre, located at Priors Close, is open Monday to Sunday 8am – 8pm. It provides support for minor illnesses needing same day care such as chest infections, skin infections, or urinary tract infections. You may be offered an appointment here by your GP Practice or NHS 111. If you are not able to get an appointment at your Practice or NHS 111, you can walk in and be given a booked appointment (option to sit and wait or come back at the appointment time). Find out more here.
  • If your child is unwell, and you’re not sure where the best place to go for advice is, visit the NHS Frimley Healthier Together website or download the app. Designed by local experts, it provides support to parents and carers to help them manage a range of common childhood illnesses. https://frimley-healthiertogether.nhs.uk
  • Minor Injury Unit at Brants Bridge, Bracknell, RG12 9RT is open 7 days a week from 8am to 8pm – no appointment needed you can walk in.
  • If you are feeling worried about your mental health there are number of services available, visit Mental Health Support | Frimley Health and Care
    If you are in a mental health crisis, call 111 or text Shout to 85258. Shout is a free, confidential, 24/7 text messaging support service for anyone who is struggling to cope.
  • Know it may take longer than expected to be seen and treated.
  • Collect family and friends from hospital as soon as they are ready to be discharged.
  • To stay away from hospitals if showing the symptoms of flu or COVID-19 (or have been in contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19), unless it is an emergency.

There are steps we can all take to make sure we use the most appropriate service for our needs to support our busy health services. Visit our Choose the Right Service page or Document details of local services.  

The NHS will face 6 days of major disruption at a time when services are already under significant winter pressure. 

Junior doctors in England will be taking strike action from 7am 3 January – 7am 9 January, with NHS leaders warning the impact will be very challenging for local services.

The NHS will prioritise urgent and emergency care as consultants step in to cover for junior doctors, who make up 50% of the medical workforce. In more than a full calendar year of action, strikes have seen more than 1.1million inpatient and outpatient appointments rescheduled.

NHS Frimley Integrated Care Board (ICB) and Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust are grateful to people for their support during the several periods of industrial action seen so far, and is calling on the public to give support again to ensure local communities, patients, families, and carers are provided with provide high quality NHS care.

Despite extensive planning and cover arrangements in place, the latest strikes by junior doctors are expected to cause widespread disruption – from the impact on almost all routine care, to an extra admin burden and difficulties with discharging patients. 

The NHS is reminding people that they should continue to use services as they normally would when they need urgent medical help – using 999 and A&E in life threatening emergencies. 

General practice, community pharmacies, and dentistry are open, and the public should continue to access these services as needed on strike days.

Local people are being asked to take the following actions:

  • Choose the most appropriate NHS service for needs and only use 999 and A&E or Emergency Departments for serious or life-threatening emergencies.
  • For anything that isn’t a life-saving emergency, use an alternative NHS service and to use NHS 111 first either online or by phone.
  • Your GP practice offers same day primary care appointments, these may be at your practice or at another location for example an Urgent Care Centre.
  • Slough Urgent Care Centre, located at Priors Close, is open Monday to Sunday 8am – 8pm. It provides support for minor illnesses needing same day care such as chest infections, skin infections, or urinary tract infections. You may be offered an appointment here by your GP Practice or NHS 111. If you are not able to get an appointment at your Practice or NHS 111, you can walk in and be given a booked appointment (option to sit and wait or come back at the appointment time). Find out more here.
  • If your child is unwell, and you’re not sure where the best place to go for advice is, visit the NHS Frimley Healthier Together website or download the app. Designed by local experts, it provides support to parents and carers to help them manage a range of common childhood illnesses. https://frimley-healthiertogether.nhs.uk
  • Minor Injury Unit at Brants Bridge, Bracknell, RG12 9RT is open 7 days a week from 8am to 8pm – no appointment needed you can walk in.
  • If you are feeling worried about your mental health there are number of services available, visit Mental Health Support | Frimley Health and Care
    If you are in a mental health crisis, call 111 or text Shout to 85258. Shout is a free, confidential, 24/7 text messaging support service for anyone who is struggling to cope.
  • Know it may take longer than expected to be seen and treated.
  • Collect family and friends from hospital as soon as they are ready to be discharged.
  • To stay away from hospitals if showing the symptoms of flu or COVID-19 (or have been in contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19), unless it is an emergency.

There are steps we can all take to make sure we use the most appropriate service for our needs to support our busy health services. Visit our Choose the Right Service page or Document details of local services.  

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Receive messages from your surgery in your NHS App

Receive messages from your surgery in your NHS App, instead of by SMS text or letter.

MORE SECURE, MORE RELIABLE 

Download the NHS App and turn on notifications.

Receive messages from your surgery in your NHS App, instead of by SMS text or letter.

MORE SECURE, MORE RELIABLE 

Download the NHS App and turn on notifications.

11 Oct, 2023
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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.

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Digital Buddies - Free Workshops on Digital Skills

Join our FREE workshops and understand - the benefits of being online by learning how to: 

• use a smart device with ease & confidence! 

• trust the internet by doing simple searches, booking appointments and navigate Apps! 

• use the internet safely and securely! 

Please click to register. - Digital Buddies - The Slough Hub

Watch Video

Tel: 01779400755 

Email: contact@thesloughhub.org 

Website: www.thesloughhub.org

Join our FREE workshops and understand - the benefits of being online by learning how to: 

• use a smart device with ease & confidence! 

• trust the internet by doing simple searches, booking appointments and navigate Apps! 

• use the internet safely and securely! 

Please click to register. - Digital Buddies - The Slough Hub

Watch Video

Tel: 01779400755 

Email: contact@thesloughhub.org 

Website: www.thesloughhub.org

4 Feb, 2023
4 Aug, 2023
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.

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.

Surgery closed for bank holiday – 19 September

Monday 19 September, the date of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s State Funeral, will be a national bank holiday. As a result, the surgery will be closed. 

If you have an appointment booked with us for Monday we will contact you to make alternative arrangements. Please bear with us while we contact patients individually – do not call us direct.

If you need health support over the weekend or during the bank holiday visit https://111.nhs.uk/ or call NHS 111. You will be directed to the most appropriate health service in a timely and safe way. 

Thank you for your patience and understanding during this time.

Monday 19 September, the date of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s State Funeral, will be a national bank holiday. As a result, the surgery will be closed. 

If you have an appointment booked with us for Monday we will contact you to make alternative arrangements. Please bear with us while we contact patients individually – do not call us direct.

If you need health support over the weekend or during the bank holiday visit https://111.nhs.uk/ or call NHS 111. You will be directed to the most appropriate health service in a timely and safe way. 

Thank you for your patience and understanding during this time.

14 Sep, 2022
13 Jul, 2022
Practice Closures

Please visit the Opening Hours section of the website to see our planned closure dates for Staff Training.

Please visit the Opening Hours section of the website to see our planned closure dates for Staff Training.

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.

15 Jun, 2022
Infection prevention control guidelines to remain in place

The highest priority for the NHS remains the safety of staff, patients and visitors. While COVID restrictions will end in many settings in England from 19 July, everyone accessing or visiting healthcare settings must continue to wear a face covering (unless they are exempt) and follow social distancing rules.

Public Health England’s infection prevention control guidelines and hospital visiting guidance are therefore set to remain in place for all staff and visitors and across all health services including hospitals, GP practices, dentists, optometrists and pharmacies to ensure patients and staff are protected.

Read the infection prevention control guidance for further details.

The highest priority for the NHS remains the safety of staff, patients and visitors. While COVID restrictions will end in many settings in England from 19 July, everyone accessing or visiting healthcare settings must continue to wear a face covering (unless they are exempt) and follow social distancing rules.

Public Health England’s infection prevention control guidelines and hospital visiting guidance are therefore set to remain in place for all staff and visitors and across all health services including hospitals, GP practices, dentists, optometrists and pharmacies to ensure patients and staff are protected.

Read the infection prevention control guidance for further details.

Covid-19 Booster Vaccination - Update 13th Dec 2021

The NHS vaccination programme will offer every adult the chance to book a covid-19 booster vaccine by the end of the year to protect the nation against the Omicron variant.

As part of the biggest and fastest vaccine programme in health service history, online bookings are available for all those in their 30s and above from today.

The best way to get your vaccine is by booking online at www.nhs.uk or by calling 119 – please do keep checking availability as appointments are loaded onto the system every day. The website and phoneline are understandably very busy and we thank you for your patience when booking.

The national booking service will then open up to everyone aged 18 and over from Wednesday this week.

The NHS is prioritising bookings for boosters and is urging people to book a slot to guarantee their vital jab. Some sites offer walk-in appointments where no appointment is needed. Please check here for clinics with walk-in availability and their opening hours www.happyhealthylives.uk/vaccinationdrop-ins

GP teams have been asked to clinically prioritise their services to free up maximal capacity to support the covid-19 vaccination programme, alongside delivering critical appointments such as cancer, urgent and emergency care. This might mean that for some people, routine appointments are postponed as part of the national mission to roll out boosters.

Scientists are very concerned about the spread of Omicron due to the speed with which it spreads and because two doses do not appear to provide much protection but thankfully, a booster dramatically improves this.That is why the Government has asked the NHS to prioritise boosters over other routine care.

We appreciate your support and understanding – and urge you to come forward for your vaccination as soon as possible.

The NHS vaccination programme will offer every adult the chance to book a covid-19 booster vaccine by the end of the year to protect the nation against the Omicron variant.

As part of the biggest and fastest vaccine programme in health service history, online bookings are available for all those in their 30s and above from today.

The best way to get your vaccine is by booking online at www.nhs.uk or by calling 119 – please do keep checking availability as appointments are loaded onto the system every day. The website and phoneline are understandably very busy and we thank you for your patience when booking.

The national booking service will then open up to everyone aged 18 and over from Wednesday this week.

The NHS is prioritising bookings for boosters and is urging people to book a slot to guarantee their vital jab. Some sites offer walk-in appointments where no appointment is needed. Please check here for clinics with walk-in availability and their opening hours www.happyhealthylives.uk/vaccinationdrop-ins

GP teams have been asked to clinically prioritise their services to free up maximal capacity to support the covid-19 vaccination programme, alongside delivering critical appointments such as cancer, urgent and emergency care. This might mean that for some people, routine appointments are postponed as part of the national mission to roll out boosters.

Scientists are very concerned about the spread of Omicron due to the speed with which it spreads and because two doses do not appear to provide much protection but thankfully, a booster dramatically improves this.That is why the Government has asked the NHS to prioritise boosters over other routine care.

We appreciate your support and understanding – and urge you to come forward for your vaccination as soon as possible.

Temporary suspension of online appointments & Pre-bookable appointments

As per NHS England guidance we will be temporarily suspending the online appointments. This is to ensure that patients that are potentially at risk of being effected by Coronavirus are not booking appointments and attending the surgery.

We appreciate this may cause some inconvenience and would encourage our patients to use our eConsult service.

As per NHS England guidance we will be temporarily suspending the online appointments. This is to ensure that patients that are potentially at risk of being effected by Coronavirus are not booking appointments and attending the surgery.

We appreciate this may cause some inconvenience and would encourage our patients to use our eConsult service.

Increasing Demand at Emergency Departments

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.

Watch Video.

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.

Watch Video.

Related Information