News

Our GP Patient Survey Results

We are really pleased to have received our results from this year’s national survey of GP patients. The survey is one of the ways we engage with patients, and we use the information it provides to help us improve the services we provide. Find out more about the all the different ways we get feedback from patients here.

This year results show some areas for improvement, which we will be working on and report back in the coming weeks. However, the overall practice satisfaction score has increase by 2% and more patients felt involved in decisions than the averages seen nationally. We are also keen to support more patients to engage in future as very few patients engaged.

See full results below.

GP Patient Results Buchanan.pptx

Published on 25th Jul 2024

Industrial Action

Unions representing doctors in training have announced a number of strikes. Ambulance services, patient transport and NHS111 are not part of this industrial action.

The NHS is working hard to keep patients safe during strikes, while delivering the best care possible, and patients should continue to attend appointments as planned unless contacted to reschedule.  
Nobody should put off seeking only urgent or emergency care during the strikes, with key services continuing to operate. Please continue to call 999 in an emergency.  
Anyone who has an appointment which is affected by the industrial action will be contacted.  
We are asking people to attend any of their health and care appointments as usual if they haven’t been contacted.  
Please continue to use or contact NHS111 first for general guidance, advice and urgent care needs, this is a free service available 24 hours a day.

Thank you.

Published on 25th Jun 2024

Cervical Screening Guide Video

This video is a useful watch for anyone nervous about attending a smear, it gives a walk through of what will happen.

Watch Here.

Published on 25th Jun 2024

Cervical Screening Awareness Week 17 - 23 June 2024

Cervical screening is an important tool in the fight against cancer. With nearly 1 in 3 not attending their cervical screening test we want to share where to find information and support if you’re worried about cervical screening or your screening results.

What is cervical screening?

Cervical screening is a way of preventing cervical cancer (cancer of the cervix). It uses tests to find abnormal changes in the cells of the cervix.

The first part of cervical screening is to have a smear test. This is also called the cervical screening test.

We have more information about having a smear test.

How painful is a cervical screening (smear) test? Does it hurt?

A cervical smear test should not hurt, but sometimes it can feel uncomfortable. If you're worried about the test causing you pain, your GP or practice nurse can explain ways they can make the test easier for you.

What is a cervical screening (smear) test looking for?

A cervical screening test checks for abnormal cell changes in the cervix. Cervical cell changes are common, and often improve naturally. But sometimes these changes need treatment because there is a risk they may develop into cancer.

In England, Scotland and Wales, the sample is tested for a virus called HPV first. Samples that show high-risk HPV are then checked under a microscope for abnormal cells.

In Northern Ireland, the sample of cells are now also first tested for HPV.

The aim of cervical screening is to check for certain types of HPV and any abnormal cell changes early that might develop into cervical cancer if left untreated.

Do I need cervical screening if I’m a virgin or from the LGBTQ+ community

Cervical screening is for anyone who has a cervix, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. The aim of cervical screening is to check for certain types of HPV and any abnormal cell changes early that might develop into cervical cancer if left untreated. You can get HPV through:

vaginal, oral or anal sex
any skin-to-skin contact of the genital area
sharing sex toys

You're still at risk of cervical cancer if:

you've had the HPV vaccine – it does not protect you from all types of HPV, so you're still at risk of cervical cancer
you've only had 1 sexual partner – you can get HPV the first time you're sexually active
you've had the same partner, or not had sex, for a long time – you can have HPV for a long time without knowing it
you're a lesbian or bisexual – you're at risk if you've had any sexual contact
you're a trans man with a cervix
you've had a partial hysterectomy that did not remove all of your cervix

If you've never had any kind of sexual contact with a man or woman, you may decide not to go for cervical screening when you're invited. But you can still have a test if you want to. If you would be happy to discuss it, making the practice aware of your decisions and reasons is helpful in ensuring we stop keep contacting you, and that we can understand the reasons people chose not to have screening.

If you're not sure whether to have cervical screening, please book an appointment to talk to our nurse.

If you are a trans man or non-binary person and have a cervix, you should have screening too. But, you may not be sent an invitation if you are registered as male with your GP. Tell your GP if you want to have cervical screening, so they can arrange regular tests for you.

You do not need cervical screening if you are a trans woman or were assigned male at birth.

Places to find out more

Cervical Screening Awareness Week (macmillan.org.uk)

Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust | Cervical Cancer Charity (jostrust.org.uk)

Cervical screening - NHS (www.nhs.uk)

Published on 17th Jun 2024

Tell us what you think - new appointment system

We would like feedback from our patients around our new appointment system.

Complete the survey below to let us know if you were able to get to see the person you wanted to at your last appointment.

Take the survey

Published on 10th May 2024

Wishing all our staff, patients and those celebrating a Happy Eid! 💙

Published on 10th Apr 2024

Answers to some of your questions about the new booking system

We have made changes to the way you book an appointment. The aim is to make it easier to get an appointment and to do away with the 8.30am rush for appointments which is neither fair or clinically appropriate.

Now, to get an appointment a team of clinicians will go through your symptoms and will make sure you get the help you need as fast as possible.

We have been asking for feedback from patients to make sure that this new approach is meeting your needs.

Here are answers to some of the frequently asked questions we have received from patients about this new system.

Published on 5th Mar 2024

Staying safe with diabetes during Ramadan

If you're living with type 1 or type 2 diabetes and plan to fast during the holy month of Ramadan, this free online course will help you to prepare and support you to stay healthy and manage your diabetes safely during this time.

Diabetes UK also has lots of really helpful information on their website to support you during Ramadan (available in Urdu, Bengali, Arabic and English).

Anyone experiencing diabetes-related complications should seek urgent medical advice when they need it.