Practice Newsletter Spring 2025

Welcome to the spring edition of our newsletter for Cowfold and Partridge Green patients.

STAFF TRAINING CLOSURE DATE
The surgery will be closed on Tuesday 1st April from 12-30-18.30pm for us to enable full staff training. If you have an urgent query, please telephone 01293 698088. In the event of a medical emergency such as chest pain or suspected stroke, please dial 999 for an ambulance. Otherwise please dial NHS 111. The surgery will reopen as normal on Wednesday 2nd April.

SURGERY NEWS!
Since the winter we have had a few members of staff who have sadly left the surgery. Laura our Practice Nurse left at the end of last year but we are happy to share that Jayne has taken over as our Practice Nurse. Jayne works Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays and has clinics at both Cowfold and Partridge Green surgeries. Marie, one of our dispensers also left last month to work in a school. We wish them both all the best for the future. We are also saying goodbye to Dr Oscar Ferguson who has been with us for 4 months as a GP trainee. We are sad to see him go. Dr Georgia Lilikaki will be starting with us on Monday 7th April for 4 months so welcome to Georgia. We are also happy to announce that we have a new Advanced Nurse Practitioner, Chauda Tandi who will be joining us in a few months’ time. More about that in the summer newsletter.

Dr Russell has now returned from paternity leave following the birth of twins (a boy and a girl) and we are very happy to have him back (albeit a bit tired!)

Olga Rodrigo who is our Dispensary Manager has just finished her training and is now a qualified Pharmacy Technician. We would like to say congratulations to Olga as we know it has been quite a long journey. Well done.

Here is a little paragraph we asked Olga to write to let you know a bit more about her.

Hi, I joined Cowfold Medical Group in 2018 as the Dispensary Manager.  My working days are Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Fridays. I live locally with my husband and daughter.  I am originally from Spain; I was born in a small town called Zamora in the North West of the peninsula. I moved to England in 2004.  As well as supervising the smooth running of the dispensary I have recently completed my 2 years training as a Pharmacy Technician.  This will allow me to give advice to patients about medications and refer complex medication queries to the pharmacy team when needed.  As always, the dispensary window is open for any queries you may have.  If you need any help regarding your medications or anything regarding the dispensary, please call reception and ask to speak to me.

On Saturday 15th March we ran an RSV vaccination clinic at Cowfold Surgery. RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) is a common cause of cough and colds. These usually get better by themselves but can sometimes be serious for babies and older adults.

COVID SPRING BOOSTER 2025

The Covid Spring Booster programme will commence from 1st April-17th June 2025. This will be for patients who are aged 75 and over (including those who turn 75 by 17th June 2025) and patients aged 6 months and over who are immunosuppressed. Clinics will be run at Bohunt Sports Hall, Bailey Road, Horsham, RH12 6AP and will be on Sundays. If you require patient transport this can be provided for morning appointments. The number to call is Horsham District Community Transport on 01403 754206. Invitations are already being sent out for patients to book.

CARER SUPPORT

At the beginning of the year we were asked to take part in the Lead Carer Network Meeting as a showcase practice. Over the last year, myself, Ann and Heidi have been working to improve patient care for anyone who identifies as an unpaid carer. This means if you look after a family relative or friend or neighbour who could use some additional support. Ann is the Lead Carer in the surgery and is always happy to help with any questions or advice. We also have Heidi as a care coordinator and are happy to announce that Zoe who is one of our admin team has agreed to take on the role of care coordinator to help Ann and Heidi. This means we now have a member of staff who is in the practice every day. If you would like to register as a carer in the practice, please see our website or pop into the practice to pick up a form and arrange to meet with one of the care coordinators.

PATIENT PARTICIPATION GROUP

This year we have already had 2 Patient Participation Group meetings and have been very happy to welcome new members to the group. Going forward we will be meeting across the next year to work together to help both the patients and staff to provide a good service for our patients. Our next meeting is on Tuesday 24th June at 6.30pm at Cowfold Surgery. If you would like to join the PPG, please contact Louise McMeeking our Deputy Practice Manager or tell one of the Reception team. We look forward to seeing you. Minutes of the previous meeting held on 25.3.25 can be found on the notice board at Cowfold Surgery and also on our website.

DIGITAL TELEPHONE SYSTEM
Our new telephone system has been in place since January 16th. Thank you to all our patients for your kindness and understanding while we familiarised ourselves with the new system. There is a new answerphone message which might sound different to the last message so please do not hang up! You can also now call back if you are in the queue. You will not lose your place in the queue and will be called when it is your turn. You will be sent a text message if we try to contact you and cannot get through.

PLEASE BE PATIENT AND KIND TO ALL OUR STAFF

Everyone here at Cowfold Medical Group is working hard to support our community but sadly our staff are increasingly experiencing rudeness and abuse from patients which is very unpleasant when they are just trying to do their job. Demand for appointments is high and we appreciate it can take a while to speak to a member of the Reception team, but we ask that you be patient and more importantly – be kind. Any behaviour, verbal or physical which causes our staff to feel uncomfortable is totally unacceptable and will not be tolerated. Many thanks.

PATIENT CHOICE FOR REFERRALS
The NHS is offering more options to enable you to make choices that best suit your circumstances and giving you greater control of your care. If your GP needs to refer you to hospital you have the right to choose the hospital or service you would like to go to. When you are referred our Admin Team will choose 5 possible hospitals for you to be seen. You will then receive a letter, email or message through the NHS App with instructions on how to book your appointment. If you do not have the internet there will be a telephone number on your
letter that you can telephone to book. Most people want to be seen at the nearest hospital. Some people would want the shortest waiting time. If you choose a hospital which is not local to you, please bear in mind that all your clinic appointments and treatment will be at that
hospital going forward.

AWARENESS MONTHS 2025
MARCH

Wednesday 12th March was NO SMOKING DAY. It is never too late to stop smoking. With the right support you are up to 3 times more likely to quit for good. Katharine, our Health Care Assistant offers smoking cessation clinics at the surgery. If you would like to see Katharine, please telephone the surgery to book an appointment.

APRIL

April is Bowel Cancer Awareness month and Irritable Bowel Syndrome Awareness month. IBS is one of the most common reasons to visit the GP. 1 in 8 people have symptoms of IBS at any one time. Once diagnosed and given help, most people can find effective ways of living with IBS.

The earlier bowel cancer is spotted, the more treatable it is likely to be. In fact more than 9 in 10 people survive bowel cancer when it is diagnosed at the earliest stage.

Bowel Cancer Screening saves lives. The test can detect invisible early signs of bowel cancer. Taking part is easier than you think. The age for taking the test has now changed to 54 so you may receive a test before you are 60. If you receive a test through the post, please complete it. You should receive the result within 10 working days.

MAY

Mental Health Awareness Week is 12-18 May 2025

West Sussex Mind is an independent local charity who support people with their mental health, provide specialist training and campaign to improve services and promote understanding.

The advice and support they offer aims to improve physical and mental well-being, strengthen self-esteem and confidence and promote strong relationships with family, friends and communities. They work in communities to raise awareness and tackle the stigma which continues to affect the lives of people with mental health problems. For more information please look at their website: westsussexmind.org