Dear Patients
Access Recovery Plan and Modern GP Operating Model
Our number one priority at Brixton Hill Group Practice has and will always remain our patients and our staff.
We continue to implement NHS mandated change across General Practice to improve patient access and experience. Here are some updates you will find helpful.
Telephony
We are mighty excited to be rolling out further state of the art digital solutions across the practice. This includes a new cloud based telephony system – landing in the first quarter of 2024. We will be able to better manage your phone experience and vastly expand, ease and ensure equity of access.
As you may know, we have collectively faced several challenges over the years with reliability of services from our current supplier. Our teams have been working tirelessly to ensure service disruptions remain minimal, often in situations out of our control.
We thank all our patients for understanding, and to all our staff for ensuring service levels remain safe and active during these times.
Clinical demand and complexity of population health remains a fundamental challenge for the NHS. Our efforts will continue to tackle the morning rush for appointments whilst gaining further insights of our patient requirements.
UPDATE FEB 2024: We went live on 9th February 2024. We hope you are having an improved experience.
Please note the following which was also sent by SMS to all patients with the facility:
The Practice has had a new phone system installed. Unfortunately some of our outgoing calls are coming up on caller ID as ‘Brixton Hill Surveillance Centre’. We apologise for this and are making attempts to stop it happening. To avoid this confusion, you can store our number in your phone contacts as “GP”. We hope to rectify the problem asap. Thank you for bearing with us.
Online Access
More and more patients find online consultation a more convenient way to access services at the practice.
Since the pandemic, we have been using E-Consult as the commissioned portal for patients to submit healthcare concerns and administrative queries.
AccurX Patient Triage has been commissioned by our Care Board and shall be replacing E-consult. There shall be a phased approach in getting this live. An on boarding project is underway. Whilst we envisage minimal disruption to patients, please do expect the interface you currently see to change.
NHS APP
The NHS App is available to all patients.
You can use the NHS App to check your symptoms and get instant advice, book appointments, order repeat prescriptions, view your GP medical record and more.
We highly recommend patients to gain access to the NHS App. Please see for further information: Online Services – Brixton Hill Group Practice (brixtonhillgp.nhs.uk)
Estate works
Following refurbishment of a large part of the practice in 2023, we have some further planned enhancements. Our aim is to continually make your experience as safe and pleasant as possible.
We request that during the above, you remain patient with our staff as they too become accustom to the changes taking place. We will do all we can to minimise any disruption and your feedback is always welcome.
Pharmacy First Service
The Pharmacy First Service launched on 31st January 2024. This scheme replaced the Community Pharmacy Consultation Service (CPSCS). The new Pharmacy First Service provides advice and treatment for a wider array of ailments and can safely be completed by the community pharmacy.
Our Care Navigating Reception staff may refer you to community pharmacy where appropriate. You will be contacted by the right clinical staff who will be able to attend to your concerns more quickly and efficiently than a possibly unnecessary appointment at the practice.
The PFS will include 7 new clinical pathways and can be found on the NHS England website. The service also incorporates the elements of the Community Pharmacist Consultation Service, i.e. minor illness consultations. These will enable pharmacists to:
offer advice to patients
supply NHS medicines where clinically appropriate (including some prescription-only medicines under Patient Group Directions), to treat 7 common health conditions
- These conditions are:
- sinusitis
- sore throat
- earache
- infected insect bites
- impetigo
- shingles
- uncomplicated urinary tract infections in women
Further information about the service can be found here Pharmacy First – South East London CCG (selondonccg.nhs.uk)
May we take the opportunity to remind all service users that patient and staff safety remain a top priority for us at the Practice. Any type of abuse and threat shall not be tolerated.
Best Wishes
Brixton Hill Group Practice
MMR Vaccine
Measles Mumps and Rubella are highly infectious conditions that can easily spread between unvaccinated people. Getting vaccinated is important, as these conditions can also lead to serious problems including meningitis, hearing loss and problems during pregnancy. Two doses of the MMR vaccine provide the best protection against measles, mumps and rubella. Please see the link below for further information.