News

Welcome back Priya and baby Kareena

On Thursday 24 July it was great to welcome back Priya, our recent Physicians Associate now on maternity leave, and her new baby Kareena to the Surgery.  We loved having them both with us for an hour to catch up, share some cake and nibbles and of course the inevitable scramble to hold and cuddle baby Kareena.  We wish them both very well for the rest of the summer and hope to see them back soon.

Cardiovascular Risk Score (QRISK2) and the Use of Statins - new 22 July 2025

As part of your regular health screening you may have recently had a cholesterol test.  As you may know, the amount of cholesterol in your blood can increase your risk of developing Cardiovascular Disease (CVD). 

CVD is a significant health concern worldwide, often leading to heart attacks, strokes, and other serious conditions. To combat this, healthcare professionals use various tools and medications. Two key components in this fight are the QRISK2 assessment tool and the use of statins.

For more information on this and QRISK2 and better health awareness please refer to the leaflet attached below which gives more context and details.

Cardio vascular Risk Score Leaflet New Folly Surgery Jul 25.pdf

Lung Cancer Screening for our patients - New 18 July 25

The Lung Cancer Screening team at NHS North East London Foundation Trust (NELFT) are now sending invites to our registered patients as part of their screening and cancer prevention programme.  A booklet for reading and information is attached here.

Lung Cancer Screening Information for patients July 2025.pdf

On the letter when received there is a link explaining the screening - for patients without access to the internet, you can contact them via the contact details in the letter and booklet.  We will be updating the Patient Reference Group on this subject at the next meeting on 23 July.

For more information, patients are welcome to contact the screening team on 0300 300 1557 or via: https://www.eoelunghealthcheck.nhs.uk

FOR INFO: THE RECALL LIST WAS GENERATED BY THE NHS (NOT THE SURGERY) - IF YOU RECEIVE A LETTER AND HAVE NEVER BEEN A SMOKER PLEASE CONTACT RECEPTION SO WE CAN REPORT INACCURATE DATA BEING USED FOR THIS PROGRAMME - THANK YOU

Travel Vaccinations and administration required

We offer a travel vaccinations service but it is subject to the following conditions as this is not "NHS core work/activity":

• We need 6 weeks notice to review the Risk Assessment Forms, to order the vaccines & book the relevant appointments
• The travel risk assessment forms are available from the reception staff
• You can request to have the forms made ready via Accurx online requests or by visiting the Surgery
• When the risk asssement form has been reviewed by the Nursing team, you will be called to book an appointment date/time.
• Any other issues will be discussed with the patient at the time of booking.

Upcoming dates in 2025 and GP Training Status

• Tuesday 26 August - our first GP F3 Trainee (Samira) starts her training working Tuesdays and Fridays each week.
• Tuesday 9 September - Surgery closed from 1300 for monthly NHS ICB Training (see note in bold below)
• Monday 29 September - Soft CQC / Quality Assurance Inspection by Mid South Essex ICB
• Wednesday 15 October - next Patient Reference Group Meeting (PRG) from 1845-2000 - all welcome.
•  
• When the Surgery is closed for the monthly Time to Learn training sessions, phones are diverted to the 111 service. We ask all patients with urgent care requirments to call the  NHS 111 service during these closed periods - thank you

In July, NHSE & Health Education England (HEE) approved us for GP Training after a lot of prep & planning.  Our first F3 GP starts on 26 August 2025.  GP trainees have spent over 9 years as Medical Students rising to GMC GP status. When inducted & compliant, they will run their own patient clinics supervised by one of the 2 accredited GP trainers (Dr Bailoor/Dr Rashid). 

Update on tirzepatide (Mounjaro) for weight management

On 23rd June 2025, it was announced that people living with obesity will be able to begin accessing tirzepatide (Mounjaro®) for weight loss purposes in primary care settings. However, the national roll out does not mean all people will be able to get a prescription for tirzepatide (Mounjaro®) on this day.

Weight management services are locally commissioned at an Integrated Care Board (ICB) level. In mid and south Essex, access to tirzepatide will initially be through specialist weight management services only. Access to tirzepatide (Mounjaro®) through primary care is not expected to start in mid and south Essex until later in 2025.

NHS Mid and South Essex ICB has provided information on tirzepatide on its website - Visit the website for more information.

News for Patients who self medicate at home

From 19 May 2025 Brentwood Council (via their contractor) are now responsible for collecting used sharps and bins from residents homes as the service has been removed by NHS England.

Patients must now complete the 2 forms attached, 1 from them to complete and 1 signed by the GP - they are then forwarded to Brentwood Council as per instructions on the forms who check them and then forward to the collection company.  The collection company then contacts the patient to arrange the mutual date time for collection etc.  Unfortunately as this is a non-NHS core activity, it is therefore a chargeable service.

The forms are attached here for downloading and patient use.

Clinical Waste Request Form for patients to complete.pdf

Clinical waste collection form for GP Signature.pdf

Total Triage Access using Accurx Digital Request Forms

NO NEED TO CALL/VISIT THE SURGERY - REQUEST APPOINTMENTS & OTHER SERVICES ONLINE VIA ACCURX

The Online Accurx Triage service is open and available to all patient from 0800 until 1700 Monday to Friday

The "total triage" system, using the "Accurx" digital request form (accessible at top of main home page) gives prime benefits in that it removes the 8am rush and the need to ring us or visit the Surgery.  The online Accurx request form can be accessed via a Smartphone, tablet or laptop etc and on the NHS app. 

For patients who are unable to access a smartphone or this technology at home, please call or visit the surgery where our staff will be happy and on hand to help you with your request.  We are here to help all patients access a more fairer, more equitable service for appointments and other requests.

All requests are formally responded to within 72 hours of receipt.  Feedback has been very positive, with patients telling their us and friends it is easier, simpler to make contact and make their requests and saves the need to call or visit.

Total Triage at New Folly Surgery

Patient Flash Demo: How to submit a medical request in Patient Triage

Using your NHS App

NHS App General A5 Leaflet.pdf

PLEASE WHERE POSSIBLE USE THE NHS APP FOR ALL AVAILABLE SERVICES - IT CAN REALLY HELP YOU

Have you got the "NHS app" loaded on your Smartphone or tablet?  if not please download it from your "app store" to your smartphone (if you have one). Also the flyer attached her to open or download gives full details on the benefits of using it and what it can access.

It now allows you to access the ACCURX digital request form to book appointments and request a rasnge of other services from anywhere you may be.

It also gives access to other patient specific data that removes the need to call or visit the Surgery, really making time for you and saving that call or visit.

Essex Dementia & Alzheimers updates

Local Dementia Services Leaflet for PLWD.pdf

Please see the attached digital copies of new Service Leaflets for both Alzheimers and Dementia care for Essex. These have recently been developed both for people affected by dementia and professionals, to highlight the wealth of services we have available in Essex.

Our clinical team will always action the referrerals where appropriate but patients or people directly affected by dementia can call the National Helpline on 0333 150 3456, for advice or to self-refer.

We had our annual update for Dementia and Alzheimers on 4 March 25 as part of the annual staff awareness programme.  Our patient champion/care navigator (Jackie M) is available on most Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoons to help and signpost any patients who may need further information for these conditions.

New and updated resource for patients will appear on this page when received.

Community Dementia Workshops

This flyer attached below gives more information to those patients and family/carers who might be interested in Dementia Workshops and who to contact. 

 Community Dementia Workshops.pdf

Blood Pressure at home Calculator

https://rutherfordmedicalcentre.nhs.uk/patient-information-resources/blood-pressure-calculator/

A blood pressure (BP) test is a simple way of checking if your blood pressure is too high or too low.   BP is the term used to describe the strength with which your blood pushes on the sides of your arteries as it's pumped around your body.  See chart image for reference.

High blood pressure (hypertension) can put a strain on your arteries and organs, which can increase your risk of developing serious problems such as heart attacks and strokes.

Low blood pressure (hypotension) isn't usually as serious, although it can cause dizziness and fainting in some people.

A BP test is the only way to find out if your blood pressure is too high or too low, because most people won't have any obvious symptoms. Having a test is easy and could save your life.

We have a great calculator (see the weblink above and below, used by a number of Primary Care GP Practices) for our patients who are able to take their own BPs at home and calculate their 'average BP'; patients can then send/hand to the surgery at the reception desk. This wont suit all patients but it will assist those who can take and calculate at home and provide to the Surgery. 

If you have any queries please speak to a member of the reception team or your GP/Nurse when next visiting the Surgery

https://rutherfordmedicalcentre.nhs.uk/patient-information-resources/blood-pressure-calculator/

Essex Carers Noticeboard - updated 24 June 2025

Essex Wellbeing Service (EWS) part of Essex County Council produce and update lists of carers resources and other associated groups which is updated here each month; these have a host of useful informative information and services designed for carers and their families/friends - this will also be displayed within the Surgery.

EWS Carers Noticeboard_Jun 25.docx

Think Carers Guide - Accessible.pdf

ECC Support for Unpaid Carers Map Apr2025.pdf

Carers Voices

Additionally we would like to promote "Carers Voices" (see flyer below) part of the work being undertaken by Healthwatch Essex.  There is a QR code on the flyer to use to obtain further information. 

Carers Voices March 2025.pdf

GP Consulting & Transcribing Software at New Folly Surgery

The practice is using a tool called "Heidi AI Scribe" to help us to write up our clinical notes. This processes our consultations (either while we are talking or using the recording that our telephone system makes) and quickly generates a detailed and accurate write up which we check and then use to form the basis of our consultation notes. The computer assistance makes this both faster and more thorough than we can manage by hand, and also allows us to concentrate better on the conversation we are having without having to keep notes simultaneously which we find is a huge benefit.

To allay concerns about data security, the system is accredited for use in the NHS, is compliant with GDPR and ISO 27001:2022, no recordings are made or stored by Heidi, and there is no link with our clinical notes so there is no risk of data loss of information that is in your medical record. You can find more detail here:

https://intercom.help/heidi-health/en/collections/8034858-compliance-data-privacy

If you nevertheless wish us not to make use of this technology in your consultation you just have to let us know and we will, of course, respect your request.

Accessing new Radiology Reports via the NHS App

From Monday 16 December, patients will be able to access newly created radiology reports from scans carried out at Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust (MSEFT) hospitals and community settings.

These reports are available through the online patient portal, Patients Know Best (PKB), and via the NHS App. This expands on the existing functionality that already allows patients to view some test information provided by their GP practice.

• Exclusions apply: Certain radiology reports will not be shared online at this stage. These include reports for tests conducted during pregnancy, relating to the heart and post-mortem examination reports.

• Delayed release of reports: Radiology reports will be available online for patients to view 35 days after the test is carried out. This delay is in line with NHS England’s guidance on automating results release and allows the requesting clinicians time to review the results, discuss them with patients as needed, and ensure appropriate follow-up care.

• Text reports only: Radiology images will not be available online. Patients will only have access to the textual report, which is the same as the one shared with the clinician who requested the test. Each report includes a message stating that it is written for clinicians, ensuring clarity about its intended audience and purpose.

• No historical uploads: Only newly created radiology reports will be shared online. Historical radiology reports will not be uploaded to the NHS App or Patients Know Best portal.

X-Ray Bookings online via Swiftqueue

Please see the attached flyer from the ICB giving information on how patients will be able to book X-rays online via the Swiftqueue system from 25 Jan 25.

X-ray bookings via Swiftqueue

Respect to our staff and other patients

We ask all patients to please be respectful to our staff and other patients at all times - our care navigators/receptionists are not trained or able to give clinical advice to patients whatever the subject matter - please note they have to message the duty Doctor during their clinics and will have to get back to you later in the day with any advice you may ask or request.  

We operate and enforce a strict Zero Tolerance Policy for any aggressive, abusive or threatening behaviour to any of our staff.  If appropriate this may lead to a formal warning and/or removal from the Surgery list under direction and guidance from NHS Mid & South Essex ICB.

We all make every effort to help all patients and deliver the best level of care we can.