News Page

Bank Holidays

Patients should call 999 in emergency for life threatening medical assistance. Call 111 for urgent advice/treatment that cannot wait until the Practice re-opens.

Pharmacies should be able to assist with minor ailments and medication advice. 

We will be closed on the following Bank Holidays in 2024:

     Monday, 6th May 2024

     Monday, 27th May 2024

     Monday, 26th August 2024

     Wednesday, 25th December 2024

     Thursday, 26th December 2024

You Said. We Did!

 

                                              You Said                                               We Did!
I don’t understand the NHS App, I need help!

Since February 2024, we have held two NHS App Help Sessions. Our admin staff are available to offer help to any patients wanting to get set up on the app, but required assistance. 

Another session is available on 2nd May evening. Phone reception to book an appointment, where you can sit one-on-one with a member of our team. 

 
I can’t get through on the phones to book an appointment.

We have allowed more access to appointments by offering SystmOnline accounts, where you can access appointments online. We also promote the NHS App which allows you to manage your appointments and patients are able to text the Practice mobile for cancellations or ring the Appointment Cancellation Answerphone.

 

I’m struggling to read your newsletter because the font is too small.

Our quarterly patient newsletter has had a full makeover and has been made more accessible to our patients. It is sent to patients via text with a link, but there are also printed copies available in the waiting room for those who prefer the paper version. The font is now a minimum of size 12. You can easily zoom in on the electronic version to enlarge any text or images. We provide audio recordings on the electronic version, for anyone who may struggle with their vision or reading.

 
 

I need to book a smear appointment, but I don’t have time to wait in a queue on the phones.

  

We now offer set clinics for smear tests. A whole clinic specifically for smears! This means we will send you a link directly to your phone when you are due. Using this link, you can access the appointment list and select a slot that is convenient for you. No need to phone the practice, and no more queueing.  This is also available for asthma reviews.

 

Certificate of Accreditation
veteran friendly GP

Contact Us Online

Avoid the telephones and Contact Us Online

You can contact us about a medical, administrative or prescription issue by clicking HERE   https://florey.accurx.com/p/C83082

Also available on the NHS App.

Easy to complete free-text forms with no need to register or download an app to request medical guidance online.  Patients can send photos as relevant or receive advice, questionnaires or leaflets to help with their enquiry. Answer a few short questions and we will get back to you within two working days.

Please do not use this online form for urgent or emergency requests.  The submitted form will only be read during between 09.00am- 17:30pm Monday to Friday. The forms will NOT be read on weekends (Saturday and Sunday) or on Bank Holidays.  Please contact 111 during Out of hours when the Practice is closed and ring 999 for emergencies.

 

New Proxy Access Trial

Proxy Access allows someone other than the patient to access and manage parts of their GP online services account. The proxy is given their own online access account (rather than using the patient's login details).  

We are the only Practice in Lincoln that are currently trialling this service. 

The two posters directly below will take you to separate application pages - one is for adult patients and the other is for children. Please click on the posters to find out more about this service, and check if you are eligible to apply. 

nhs app
nhs app

Adult Eating Disorders

The Adult Eating Disorders Service provide dedicated support for mild to moderate eating disorders in adults aged 16 and over.

You can now self refer to this service.

If you feel you would benefit from this service, please click on the link: Eating Disorder Service - Self-referral form :: Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Trust (lpft.nhs.uk)

The Adult Eating Disorder Service offer NICE (National Institute for Clinical Excellence) recommended treatments for people with an eating disorder. 

There are different types of treatment, but these all depend on the type of eating disorder someone has, along with what is felt will be the most beneficial treatment for the individual based on their assessment and needs. 

All forms of treatment aim to support people to understand their eating disorder, regularise their eating where necessary and support people to develop a different way of valuing themselves, as well as different ways of coping.

Nursing Homes

Nursing Homes Alignment

Care Homes provide an important role in supporting our local people to live better in communities. The NHS has a vision of enhanced care and support to Care Homes as part of bringing the Care Home sector into the wider NHS family. As part of this service GP surgeries are being aligned with specific Care Homes to promote consistent good relationships between GP Practices and Care Homes. It is the aim of the service to improve the quality of care for patients who reside in Care Homes.

Birchwood Medical Practice is aligned to the following Care Homes:

St Clare's Care Home         LN6 0QT

White Gables Care Home   LN6 5SA

Swallow Lodge                   LN6 8UZ

The Orders of St John Care Trust - Hartsholme House   LN6 0EA

 

Results of the National Patient GP Survey 2023

See below all questions showing Birchwood score compared with Lincoln Average and National Average. 

This survery was provided in the peior of Jan - March 2023. 351 sent out. 127 fully completed.

 

  Birchwood Medical Practice ICS Average National Average
% of patients who are satisfied with the general practice appointment times available 67% 55% 53%
% of patients who were offered a choice of appointment when they last tried to make a general practice appointment 56% 60% 59%
% of patients who were satisfied with the appointment they were offered  84% 76% 72%
% of patients who describe their experience of making an appointment as good 71% 57% 54%
% of patients who say the healthcare professional they saw or spoke to was good at giving them enough time during their last general practice appointment 83% 84% 84%
% of patients who say the healthcare professional they saw or spoke to was good at listening to them during their last general practice appointment 83% 84% 85%
% of patients who say the healthcare professional they saw or spoke to was good at treating them with care and concern during their last general practice appointment 84% 84% 84%
% of patients who were involved as much as they wanted to be in decisions about their care and treatment during their last general pracatice appointment 88% 90% 90%
% of patients who had confidence and trust in the healthcare professional they saw or spoke to during their last general practice appointment 89% 93% 93%
% of patients who felt their needs were met during their last general practice appointment 91% 92% 91%
% of patients who describe their overall experience of this GP Practice as good 81% 71% 71%

We appreciate the time patients take to give feedback on their experience. 

If you would like to provide a quick feedback, this can be done on the NHS Friends and Family. If you would like to give feedback, this can be done on the survery on the home page, or on our Practice Website.

Your Wellbeing Matters
NHS App Help Session