FRIENDS OF AVISFORD – SUPPORTING YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY avisford.friends@gmail.com
AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM YOUR SURGERY
Dear Patients,
In response to the new Omicron Variant of COVID-19 virus, all GPs have been instructed by NHS England to cease all routine care with immediate effect till the end of December to allow maximum participation of all clinical and admin staff from GP surgeries to deliver COVID booster doses to all eligible 18 years + adults.
We need to yet again refocus all efforts on delivering this crucial work and all resources will be redeployed at Local Vaccination Site at Bognor and within practice to make sure this happens successfully.
We are hence forced to pause all routine care at the surgery. Only urgent blood tests, wound care, immediate medical care like infections, palliative care, suspected cancers will remain available. Please do not call us unless this is absolutely necessary. We are unable to chase your hospital appointments or expedite them for you.
We regret the changes and fully understand that this will inconvenience large number of patients but this has been done in view of emerging national situation. Please bear with us. Further changes will be announced at the earliest as we are directed by NHS England but several restrictions are expected to last until the end of March 2022.
Drs Bansil, Sidney and Lisowski
CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)
Advice changes frequently and we request that all patients follow the government advice which can be found at – https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-information-for-the-public.Here you can also sign up for regular governmental updates. If you want information from your local surgery please check the website for local arrangements – https://www.avisford.co.uk
Latest News – Avisford Medical Group has a new Business Manager
As many of you will know Jerry Nelson retired from his role as Business Manager in May 2021 and the surgery welcomed Paul Lovell to the role. To find out more about Paul read the Summer Newsletter by clicking the link:
Newsletter Summer 2021
You can download the newsletter here. Hardcopies are available in local pharmacies and shops.
FRIENDS OF AVISFORD – AFFILIATED TO THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF PATIENT PARTICIPATION (NAPP)
Did you know that the Friends are affiliated to NAPP? A certificate is displayed on our noticeboard in each surgery. On a regular basis NAPP send out a bulletin about national issues this is also available in the surgery on our noticeboard or from the website: NAPP
FRIENDS OF AVISFORD – MEMBER OF THE REGIS COMMUNITY BOARD
The Friends are part of the NHS initiative to promote closer collaboration between those who need the services and those who provide them, with the focus on the services our community really need. A representative from each of the local Patient Participation Groups (PPG) in our area sit on the Regis Community Board (RCB) which, in turn, reports to the Local Community Network (LCN). [How the NHS love their acronyms!] The LCN reports through the normal NHS structure. at the current time the monthly meetings are being held virtually via Microsoft Teams
The system is a like a ladder, with each Group reporting upwards with any problems or issues causing concern and collecting information on the various services available. The initiative should speed the flow of information in both directions – helping patients to air their concerns and thereby aiding the NHS to focus on providing or transforming services in areas of importance to local people – moving from a reactive to a proactive system that prevents ill-health rather than simply treating it and promotes physical, mental & social well-being.
Three areas specifically identified in our area are:
- Prevention;
- Frail & Ageing Population
- Urgent Care
The RCB meet once a month and although only in place for a few months, has already proved how valuable it could be with topics discussed so far covering means of communication – including translation and poster services to broadcast services available to patients, and information on other services available to patients. Of particular interest in our area is the relatively new Carer’s Health Team, with information on how their Carer’s Clinics can help carers. Other subjects for discussion are in the pipeline, including dementia provisions and hospital discharge processes.
Our representative on the RCB can raise any questions or issues you may have with the health system. We cannot guarantee the outcome but can, and will, air your concerns and let you know of any resulting changes or improvements. If we are not made aware of problems, we can do nothing to help, so please ‘talk’ to us – via our website or email avisford.friends@gmail.com or drop a note into either surgery and we will do our best.
FRIENDS OF AVISFORD – CONNECTING WITH THE CQC
Did you know that the Care Quality Commission sends out a monthly bulletin?
The bulletin covers:
- Latest publications that you can use to help drive improvement locally
- Resources for PPGs to use to have conversations with their practices
- Information on how to get signed up to receive alerts about new reports for services you’re interested in
- Details of consultations where your views can help shape how the CQC monitor services
The latest newsletter can be downloaded from or you can subscribe to their email service: http://www.cqc.org.uk
FRIENDS OF AVISFORD – CONNECTING WITH NHS CLINICAL COMMISSIONING GROUP (CCG)
A clinical commissioning group (CCG) is a NHS organisation that brings together local GPs and experienced health professionals to take on commissioning responsibilities for local health services.
As commissioners of local health services, a CCG is responsible for planning the right services to meet the needs of local people, buying local health services including community health care and hospital services, and checking that the services are delivering the best possible care and treatment for those who need them.
A CCG has to work within a local budget from the NHS for local health services and work closely with other NHS colleagues and local authorities to ensure local people are receiving the best possible care.
We are part of the Sussex NHS Commissioners and there is a lot of information on: West Sussex CCG