Patient Group Newsletter

Winter 2023 - Issue 67

Pressures upon healthcare services continue to mount but the team at the Budleigh Salterton Medical Centre are making strenuous efforts to meet demand and they remain alert to changes they could make so as to continue to provide a good service. 

We are fortunate in Budleigh Salterton and surrounding villages that we also have access to a wide range of voluntary services that we can call upon in addition to approaching the Medical Centre. 

NHS Devon’s Integrated Care Board and the Royal Devon University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust are working more closely with the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise sector and I have seen over recent months how that work is developing. This enables people to look after themselves in their own homes wherever possible and helps to prevent hospital admissions as well as enabling more prompt discharge from hospital.

We would ask that people try to be patient with the Medical Centre staff, they are trying to help but sometimes it is just not possible to respond as quickly as they would like to. We are aware of limited poor behaviour towards staff but are delighted to see that requests for feedback from patients is overwhelmingly positive.

The festive season will soon be upon us and your PPG wishes you and your families a very happy time and a healthy 2024.”

Sue Lake, PPG Chairperson

Women’s Health – Evening Smear Clinic

Following a successful 3 month pilot the practice will continue to offer an evening smear clinic for those women who struggle to attend the practice during normal working hours.

If you would benefit from an evening appointment, please contact the medical centre on 01395 441 212 and our reception team will be happy to book this. 

How to set up your login for your NHS App

If you have access to the internet via a smartphone or tablet, please download the NHS APP so you can manage appointments, order repeat prescriptions, get health and safety advice, view your medical record securely.

What you need to do step by step:

• Once you enter your email address, you will be sent a 6 digit security code via email.  You will be asked to enter this code to verify your email address and press continue.
• Next, you will be asked to give your mobile phone number.  Another 6 digit security code will be sent to you via text message.  A security code will be sent to your mobile every time you log in.
• Once you enter your code, you will be asked to verify your ID, you are asked to provide a pictures of your passport of driving licence.

Additional information:

• After you download the app, you will need to set up an NHS login and prove who you are.  The app will then securely connect to information from your GP surgery.
• If your device supports fingerprint or facial recognition, you can use it to log in to the NHS app each time, instead of using a password and security code.

Practice Activity September 2023

Health Centre Clinics

The surgery continues to hold nurse led clinics and minor surgery clinics at both Seachange and the medical centre.  The receptionist will advise at the time of booking where your appointment is.  

If you are in any doubt, please contact the medical centre on 01395 441 212 and ask for confirmation.

How to contact the Medical Centre

The medical centre is available, Monday to Friday, 8.00am-6.00pm (excluding Bank Holidays) and can be contacted in the following ways:

• Telephone: 01395 441 212
• NHS App (24/7): Send messages through your medical record and request medication.
• SystmOnline App (24/7): Send messages through your medical record and request medication
• Patient Triage: 8am-5pm Mon-Fri – excluding Bank Holidays

Please phone for anything which is urgent and requires same day advice – we appreciate there can be waits, but these will not exceed 20 minutes and we ask for your patience.

Christmas 2023 and New Year 2024

We take this opportunity to wish all our patients a very Merry Christmas and a Healthy New Year.