Practice Newsletter Autumn 2025

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


STAFF TRAINING CLOSURE DATE
The surgery will be closed on Wednesday 15th October 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 Thursday 16th October.


SURGERY NEWS!
Sadly we have said goodbye to our Receptionist Karen who was with us for 6 years but will be moving away from Cowfold.  We are going to miss Karen’s Victoria sponges and hope she will pop in with one every now and then!

CLOSURE OF PARTRIDGE GREEN SURGERY

Sadly Partridge Green surgery is now closed.  All our staff that worked at Partridge Green are now working at Cowfold.  Katharine will be in the dispensary on Monday and Tuesday mornings as well as having her HCA clinics in the afternoons.  We have added some clinical rooms to Cowfold to cope with the capacity so some of our clinics will be now be upstairs.  We do have a lift if needed.  We know that it has been extremely difficult for all our staff and patients but Ann our Care Coordinator has been finding out about travel options if you cannot get to Cowfold.  The Henfield volunteer driver service have very kindly agreed to help Partridge Green patients if they need to get to their appointments at Cowfold.  If you are having difficulties please speak to Ann.

NEW ONLINE TRIAGE SYSTEM

Our new online triage system Rapid Health went live on the 1st September. GP, paramedic and Advanced Nurse Practitioner appointments can only be booked online.  Please go to our website for more information including a video of how to complete the form.  Nurse and HCA appointments are still being booked by our Reception team over the telephone.  We know this will take some adjusting but hopefully this will help with capacity for appointments, both on the day and pre-bookable.  If you are having difficulties completing the form, our Reception team would be happy to help you. 

We would like to say a big thank you to all our staff who have worked together as a team over the last 4 weeks helping each other as we all learn how to use the new system.  Thank you also to our patients for your patience and understanding.

This month we have asked Louise McMeeking, our Deputy Practice Manager to talk about her role within the practice.

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

Hello, I have been working at Cowfold Medical Group for almost 10 years having started as a medical secretary when Dr Darcy, Dr Smethurst and Dr Stupple were partners along with Dr Carter.  Over the last few years I have been lucky to progress to my current role of Deputy Practice Manager.  My role is to help Anna, our Practice Manager with the day to day running of the surgery, managing the staff and also any patient queries that might arise.  I trained as a medical secretary and worked at Guy’s Hospital before moving to Crawley Hospital working for a Consultant Breast Surgeon.  I then had a bit of a career break looking after my children.  I live in Horsham with my husband and 2 daughters and our dog Nova!. I like working here as no two days are the same!

CARER SUPPORT

Following on from working with West Sussex Carers Support, they are launching a new project called the Carer Energy and Wellbeing project. Caroline from Carers Support together with Ann and Louise will be organising a Carer Energy Group meeting in November hopefully at The Allmond Centre for carers to attend.  More information to follow.

PATIENT PARTICIPATION GROUP

This year we have already had 3 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 18th November 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 8.7.25 can be found on the notice board at Cowfold Surgery and also on our website.


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. Please also be mindful that some of our staff live in the village so please treat them with respect at all times when they are in work and also when they are not.   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.

NHS CERVICAL SCREENING PROGRAMME

The NHS Cervical Screening Programme is transitioning to a digital-first approach aiming to improve accessibility and efficiency.  This includes a new system for invitations and reminders making it easier for individuals to book appointments and access information.  As a Practice we encourage all patients to download the NHS App.  Results of cervical smears will be sent via the NHS App or text.  Anyone who does not have the NHS App or where an SMS text cannot be delivered will be sent a letter as a failsafe.  All invites will still direct people to book in the usual way.  The goal is to make screening invitations more convenient, quicker and cost effective.  This is a step toward a more accessible and patient focused service.

AWARENESS MONTHS 2025

OCTOBER

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month which is an annual campaign raising awareness around screening, treatment and prevention of breast cancer.

Breast Screening

Breast screening, also known as a mammogram is an x-ray that checks for signs of breast cancers when they are too small to see or feel.  Women between the ages of 50-71 are invited by the NHS for breast screening every 3 years.  This service is free and women and people are encouraged to get screened as the sooner breast cancer is found, the more likely it is to respond well to treatment.

Breast Aware

You should become more breast aware as it is important to know how your breasts usually look and feel.  That way you can spot any changes quickly and report them to your GP.  The NHS Breast Screening Programme has produced a 5 point plan for being breast aware:

  1. Know what is normal for you
  2. Look at your breasts and feel them
  3. Know what changes to look for
  4. Report any changes to a GP without delay
  5. Attend routine screening if you are aged 50-71

You should see a GP if you notice any of the following changes in your breasts:

  • A change in the size, outline or shape of your breast
  • A change in the look or feel of the skin of your breast, such as puckering or dimpling, a rash or redness
  • A new lump, swelling, thickening or bumpy area in one breast or armpit that was not there before
  • A discharge of fluid from either of your nipples
  • Any change in nipple position, such as your nipple being pulled in or pointing differently
  • A rash (like Eczema), crusting, scaly or itchy skin or redness on or around the nipple
  • Any discomfort or pain in one breast, particularly if it is new pain and does not go away (although pain is only a symptom of breast cancer in rare cases)

During October, University Hospital Sussex is hosting a Breast Care Roadshow, raising awareness and educating both colleagues, patients and the public about breast cancer at information stands.  This will lead to a “Wear it Pink” event on October 18 featuring a series of activities including free MOT health checks, a breast care nurse stand, a breast cancer awareness talk and even a bake sale.  If you would like to come along please see the information below:

NOVEMBER

LUNG CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

There are 2 main types of lung cancer, these are:

Non-small cell lung cancer

Small cell lung cancer

Sometimes cancer spreads to the lungs from somewhere else in the body.  This is called lung metastases or secondary lung cancer.

CAUSES OF LUNG CANCER

Smoking tobacco is the cause of most lung cancers and the biggest risk factor.  This includes smoking cigarettes, cigars and pipes.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF LUNG CANCER

  • A cough for 3 weeks or more
  • A change in a cough you have had for a long time
  • A chest infection that does not get better, or repeated chest infections
  • Feeling breathless and wheezy for no reason
  • Coughing up blood
  • Losing weight for no obvious reason
  • Feeling tired
  • Chest or shoulder pain that does not get better
  • A hoarse voice for 3 weeks or more

In England the NHS has just started lung cancer screening health checks to diagnose people at risk of lung cancer at an early stage.  This is for people over 55 who smoke or used to smoke.  Patients will receive an invite letter through the post in a YELLOW envelope from the NHS.  The patient will then be called to complete an assessment over the telephone which will take approximately 15 minutes.  Patients will be asked questions about their overall lung health.  Patients may also be invited to have a lung CT scan.  This will take place in a mobile van at the Tesco Car Park in Broadbridge Heath.  The results will be sent by letter and if follow up is needed, the team will contact the patient to talk about what the next steps are.

PANCREATIC CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

Pancreatic cancer develops when cells in the pancreas grow out of control, forming a lump. There are different types of pancreatic cancer, the most common type being ductal adenocarcinoma.

SYMPTOMS OF PANCREATIC CANCER

Pancreatic cancer develops when cells in the pancreas grow out of control, forming a lump. There are different types of pancreatic cancer, the most common type being ductal adenocarcinoma.

It is important to remember that having these symptoms doesn’t always mean you have pancreatic cancer but you should get them checked out.

That is all for now.Enjoy Halloween and Bonfire Night!