Alert (Urgent)

Important Update About Birchwood Health Centre Co-op Pharmacy

The Co-op Pharmacy located within our building will be closing on 1st May and merging with the Health Hub at Birchwood Shopping Centre.

If you currently have the Co-op Pharmacy at the Birchwood Health Centre set as your nominated pharmacy, you do not need to do anything — your pharmacy nomination will automatically transfer to the Birchwood Health Hub.

If you do not wish for this transfer to go ahead, you can update your nominated pharmacy by visiting the NHS App, selecting ‘View and manage prescriptions’, and then choosing ‘Nominate a pharmacy’.

Alternatively, you can request the practice to update this for you by contacting us on Accurx

For more information about the Birchwood Health Hub, please visit their website

March 2026

NHS App Pilot

We are part of a new NHS App pilot that makes it quicker and easier for patients to update their address details. 

Instead of calling or visiting the practice, patients with an NHS App account can now securely submit address updates directly through the app.

Why this matters:

  • Saves you time – no need to call or queue
  • Simple, secure updates anytime, anywhere
  • Helps keep your medical record accurate

How to use it:

  1. Open the NHS App and log in
  2. Select Contact Details
  3. Select your address
  4. Select Change Home Address
  5. Enter or search for your new address
  6. Review and confirm your details

That’s it – your request will be sent securely to us for processing. ​​

If you need to update your address, we encourage you to use the NHS App wherever possible. If you don’t already have it, you can download it and set up your account to get started.

Your feedback during this pilot will help shape how this service is rolled out across the NHS in the future. ​​​​​

June 2026


 

Patient Address Details

We may contact you to confirm your current address details, as we have identified discrepancies on our system.

  • If you are contacted, you need to respond promptly to confirm or update your address.
  • It is important that your details are accurate, as not responding could result in removal from our patient register.

If your contact details have recently changed, please update them as soon as possible by clicking here.

Thank you for helping us keep our records accurate and ensuring you continue to receive the care you need

June 2026


 

Parents & Carers – School Medical Notes 

We are seeing an increasing number of requests from parents asking GP practices to confirm whether a child is “fit” or “not fit” to attend school. We’d like to clarify our role to help avoid confusion:

What we CAN do:

  • Provide medical evidence where appropriate (e.g. confirming a diagnosis, ongoing condition, or attendance at an appointment)
  • Support children and young people with long-term health conditions or mental health concerns through assessment, treatment, and advice

What we CANNOT do:

  • Decide whether a child is “fit” or “unfit” to attend school
  • Provide blanket notes to excuse absence, including for ongoing conditions or mental health difficulties, unless there is a specific medical need

Decisions about school attendance — including for children with chronic illnesses or mental health challenges — sit with parents/carers, schools, and where appropriate, education or specialist services, not the GP.

For longer-term or complex situations, schools can put support plans in place and work with families and other services to ensure the child’s needs are met.

What should you do?

  • Keep the school informed about your child’s condition or wellbeing
  • Work with the school on any support plans or adjustments
  • Seek medical advice from us if your child’s condition changes or needs review

We understand that supporting a child with ongoing health or mental health needs can be challenging, and we are here to help from a medical perspective.

Thank you for your understanding as this helps us keep appointments available for those who need medical care.

June 2026


 

Ordering your medication is easy – choose the way that suits you best

You can request your repeat prescriptions using any of the following options:

  • NHS App
  • Your SystmOnline account
  • Accurx (select “Admin / Routine Care Request”) - no log in details required
  • In person at our front desk
  • By post – pop your repeat slip into the prescription box at the main entrance

Whichever method you choose, please allow enough time for your request to be processed.

June 2026


 

Patient Participation Group (PPG) Awareness Week – 31 May to 6 June 2026

This week, we’re shining a spotlight on our Patient Participation Group (PPG) – and we’d love you to get involved!

Our PPG gives patients a voice in how services are delivered at the practice. It’s a great way to:

  • Share your feedback
  • Help improve services
  • Work with us to shape care for our community

Why join our PPG?

PPGs are an important link between patients and the practice, helping us improve areas such as access, communication, and overall patient experience. Your ideas really can make a difference!

Get involved!

We’re always looking for new members, especially from groups who may not yet be represented. Whether you have lots of time or just a little, your input is valuable.

Click here for more information on meetings.

Help us shape the future of your local GP services – your voice matters

June 2026


 

NHS App Notifications

Turn on notifications to get messages, appointments and reminders as soon as they’re sent.

You can do more with the NHS App than you realise. Discover what else you can do today.

April 2026


 

Spring COVID‑19 Booster Clinics

We will be running Spring COVID‑19 booster clinics at the practice on:

  • Tuesday 16 April
  • Thursday 18 April
  • Tuesday 23 April

You do not need to contact us — we will invite you if you are eligible. Please wait to hear from the practice.

Eligible patients include:

• Adults aged 75 years and over

• Residents of care homes for older adults

• People aged 6 months and over who are immunosuppressed

Invitations will be sent directly with appointment details. Thank you for your patience and support in helping protect our community 

April 2026


 

Emma and Total Triage are now Live!

Meet Emma (Enhanced Medical Management Assistant) — Our New Digital Assistant. Emma will be streamlining our phone calls, processes behind the scenes and improve access for our patients.

Using Total Triage, all patient requests are assessed first so they can be directed to the right clinician or service at the right time. This helps streamline phone calls, support our teams behind the scenes, and improve access for our patients.

Click here to find out more about Emma and Total Triage

 

April 2026


 

Have we got the right email for you?

To help the NHS save resources and keep you informed faster, we’re increasing our use of online communication. Please check and update your contact details on the NHS App — staying connected helps us help you. 

March 2026


 

Our Prescription Answerphone service is no longer in use

Please refer to our Prescriptions page to find out how you can order your medications.

February 2026


 

Huge Congratulations to the APEX PCN Pharmacy Team!

We’re proud to share that the APEX PCN Pharmacy Team has been named Primary Care Pharmacy Team of the Year 2025!

Your commitment to patient care, innovation, and teamwork is truly exceptional—setting a benchmark for excellence in primary care pharmacy.

This award is part of the PCPA Excellence in GP Pharmacy Awards, a national UK-wide recognition celebrating pharmacy professionals who deliver outstanding impact and innovation across general practice.

A big thank you to the team for making such a difference!

November 2025


 

GP Patient Survey Results 2025

The GP Patient Survey gathers feedback from patients about their experiences with GP practices, as well as NHS pharmacy and dental services. We're proud to share the feedback from our patients — thank you to everyone who took part. Your voices help us grow, improve, and continue delivering the care you deserve. 

Want to see how we did? Check out the full results here

September 2025


 

Parking Reminder for Patients

We kindly ask all patients not to park on the road directly outside the practice car park.

At busy times, this creates dangerous blind spots for cars exiting the car park, and parking on both sides of the road makes it difficult for other vehicles to pass safely.

Alternative parking: Please use the pharmacy and shops car parks nearby, which have plenty of spaces and a 3-hour time limit. These are just a short walk from the practice.

Please also remember: Our back car park is strictly reserved for our staff and patients of the Woodland Medical Practice. 

Thank you for your understanding and support in helping us keep the area safe, accessible and respectful for all patients and staff.