JANUARY 2020

Thank you to all our patients who supported the practice by having a FLU vaccination at the surgery 

This time of year we are putting in an order for the vaccination that we will need for the following year and will be cutting back on what we order in.

All patients who are entitled to a free NHS vaccine we order one for, but, unfortunately this year patients have chosen not to use the practice but chemists. The vaccines for the patients who did go elsewhere are still in our fridges and will be destroyed, which is a cost to the surgery and the NHS

Please note that the chemist in the same building as the surgery is nothing to do with the practice, it is a private business

We ask patients to have the vaccine at the practice as we will have bought them in and again if not used they are destroyed at a cost to the practice and the NHS.

So please support the practice who you rely on for your health needs    

JANUARY 2020

We are pleased to announce that we now have a Social Prescriber which we share with Toddington and Wheatfield Road practices.

Vicki, is a front line worker and GP's can refer patients to her. She will be dealing with all types of social issues that patients have in everyday life  including ,employment, loneliness, housing any social issues that a person has she will try to help and advise.  

November 2019 

Adele is now our Carers Champion, so if you are a carer please do let us know so we can record on file that you are a carer and who you care for 

If you are a young carer or know of a young carer we need to hear from you also as it is important that you are made aware that there is a lot of support for all carers including young carers 

Any one who is a carer and would like more information you can make an appointment to see  or talk to Adele 

8 November 2019

Our next Patient Group Meeting will be held at the surgery on Tuesday 3rd December, 5pm to 6.30pm  All are welcome to come

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28 October 2019 FRIENDS & FAMILY SURVEY, Please complete  

We are starting our survey for friends and family from 1 November. Members of our Patient Group will be in the surgery some days and will ask you to complete a form which also will be on the reception desk for you to collect and complete  We realized that 18 months ago patients had refused to complete as they where a little fed up with surveys not only from the practice but from all kinds of business groups. so we with drew them We would appreciate now, 18 months later that you spare a few minutes and complete the short survey. 

28 October 2019

Please note the contact number for the Health Visitors is  03005550606

14 October 2019 

Please note that the practice has now had delivery of both flu vaccines.

If you are entitled to a FREE NHS vaccine please make an appointment to be vaccinated. Every year we order a vaccine for all our patients that are entitled to the free vaccine - If you choose to have it done else where the vaccine purchased for you will be destroyed a cost to the practice and the NHS.  Please call and book your appointment 

Change to PPG meeting date for October changed from 22nd to 29th October 

Patient Participation Group - OCTOBER 29th  2019

The next meeting of the Patient Group will be on the 22 October 5pm to 6.30pm at  the surgery - All patients are welcome to attend 

7 October 2019 - Dr Shiwalini Karale 

Houghton Regis Medical Centre and the Clinical Commissioning Group have paid tribute to Dr Shiwalini following the news of her unexpected death on 6 October

A compassionate and kind GP, Dr Karale (50) loved her work. She had a special interest in Diabetes, Mental Health, Family Planning and  Women's Health which made her a firm favorite

She worked at Houghton Regis Medical Centre from May 2018 and before May, 10 years in Luton 

Dr Karale passed away suddenly at home and leaves behind a husband and 2 children

In tribute to their colleague Dr Jinmi said:

"We are devastated by the loss of Dr Karale at the weekend. Shiwalini was well respected by patients and colleagues and will be sorely missed. She was committed to the NHS and the health and well-being of her patients. Our thoughts go out to Shiwalini's family at this difficult time"

27 JUNE 2019 

Should you have any concerns about how your information is managed at the practice, please contact the Practice Manager. If you are still unhappy following a review by the practice, you have the right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority. You have the right to complain to the UK supervisory Authority as below

Information Commissioner

Wycliffe House - Water Lane - Wilmslow -Cheshire - SK9 5AF

https://ico.org.uk/

HOW DO WE MAINTAIN CONFIDENTIALITY OF YOUR RECORDS

We are committed to protecting your privacy and will only use information collected lawfully in accordance with:

1.Data Protection Act 2018

2.The General Data Protection Regulations 2016

3.Human Rights Act 1998

4.Common Law Duty of Confidentiality

5.Health & Social Care Act 2012

6.NHS Codes of Confidentiality. Information Security 7 Records Management

7.Information: to Share or Not to Share

16 May /2019  PATIENT GROUP 

The next Patient Group meeting will be 2 July 2019, 5 - 6.30pm - all patients are welcome 

11/04/2019

MEASLES 

If you think you have got MEASLES call ahead .Have you got a rash and do you feel very unwell? - don't go to the surgery, walk in centre or local emergency department call ahead and get advice. By following the above advice if you do have MEASLES you wont pass it on to others MEASLES is serious, it is not just a problem in children people with low immune systems that can not fight it off, or pregnant women  

Extended Hours - March 2019 

GP and Nurses appointments are now available in our locality in the evening and at weekends.

Please note this is not a WALK IN SERVICE as all appointment are bookable through the surgery 

For more information please ask at reception or our admin team 

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SPEAK TO RECEPTION ABOUT BOOKING APPOINTMENTS AND ORDERING REPEAT PRESCRIPTIONS ON LINE

July 16 2018

We will not be accepting repeat prescriptions for patients from the pharmacy from 16 July, patients can leave their repeat prescriptions at reception during opening hours and the post box on the back door in the car park is 24 hours, 7 days a week 

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PATIENT GROUP 

We need more patients to join the group who have interesting suggestions and  ideas in the way the practice moves forward. The practice area is growing with more people moving into the area all of which we need to register at the practice

Our next meeting is May 2019  and all are welcome ask at reception for more information. meetings are held every 6/8 weeks at 5pm to 6.30pm at the Practice  

Due to the increase of patients shouting and the verbal abuse from patients towards practice staff  we have introduced a protocol. If patients do shout or are getting angry with staff , our staff member will inform you they are closing the conversation and the phone will be put down. 

OLI CARR - Practice Manager 

Welcome to the Houghton Regis Medical Centre website

Houghton Regis Medical Centre is a long established surgery with a central location in Houghton Regis, opposite the main Bedford Square.

We provide a full range of Personal Medical Services for our patients. We have five GPs, Nurses, an administrative and an attached team which includes District Nurses, Health Visitors, Midwifes and Counsellors. From time to time, we also have Medical Students from Royal Freee & UCL Medical Schools training at the Practice.

Our website is designed to help you get the best out of the services we provide. It also includes a section with health information and leaflets for patients. We hope you find the website helpful, informative and easy to use.

We are keen to continuously develop the practice and the services we provide and would very much welcome your feedback.

Disabled Access

There are designated disabled car-parking bays outside the Surgery and a ramp to enter the building to allow for wheelchair access.  There are specific toilet facilities for the disabled. 

ASK IN SURGERY TO SIGN UP FOR ONLINE SERVICES

Sign up to our Online Services - Book your appointments with your USUAL GP Online -Request your repeat prescription Online -

Give consent online to receive appointment reminders through text messages

MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITH A MEMBER OF OUR STAFF TO SIGN UP  (appointments between 9-5) 

(Please complete the contact details update form before you make an appointment)