We have vacancies for the following roles to join the Towcester Medical Centre Team:
Receptionist / Administrator
We are looking to recruit for a friendly, positive individual who can remain calm under pressure to work across both our sites at Towcester Medical Centre and Paulerspury Surgery. The above position is for part time hours of 24.75 hours working Monday – Friday, salary £10.50 per hour.
If you’re looking for a challenge and would like to be part of our small, friendly team please submit a cover letter and CV to the Operations Manager, Karen Jackson, via email to [email protected]
DATA PROTECTION PRIVACY NOTICE FOR PATIENTS & JOB APPLICANT PRIVACY NOTICE
(scroll down for Job Applicant Privacy Notice and our Standard Practice Privacy Notice)
COVID-19 Privacy Notice
(This Privacy Notice is to run alongside our standard Practice Privacy Notice)
COVID-19 Privacy Notice
(This Privacy Notice is to run alongside our standard Practice Privacy Notice)
Due to the unprecedented challenges that the NHS and we, Towcester Medical Centre due to the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic, there is a greater need for public bodies to require additional collection and sharing of personal data to protect against serious threats to public health.
In order to look after your healthcare needs in the most efficient way we, Towcester Medical Centremay therefore need to share your personal information, including medical records, with staff from other GP Practices including Practices within our Primary Care Network, as well as other health organisations (i.e. Clinical Commissioning Groups, Commissioning Support Units, Local authorities etc.) and bodies engaged in disease surveillance for the purposes of research, protecting public health, providing healthcare services to the public and monitoring and managing the Covid-19 outbreak and incidents of exposure.
The Secretary of State has served notice under Regulation 3(4) of the Health Service (Control of Patient Information) Regulations 2002 (COPI) to require organisations to process confidential patient information in the manner set out below for purposes set out in Regulation 3(1) of COPI.
Purpose of this Notice
The purpose of this Notice is to require organisations such as Towcester Medical Centre to process confidential patient information for the purposes set out in Regulation 3(1) of COPI to support the Secretary of State’s response to Covid-19 (Covid-19 Purpose). “Processing” for these purposes is defined in Regulation 3(2) and includes dissemination of confidential patient information to persons and organisations permitted to process confidential patient information under Regulation 3(3) of COPI. This Notice is necessary to require organisations such as Towcester Medical Centre to lawfully and efficiently process confidential patient information as set out in Regulation 3(2) of COPI for purposes defined in regulation 3(1), for the purposes of research, protecting public health, providing healthcare services to the public and monitoring and managing the Covid-19 outbreak and incidents of exposure.
Requirement to Process Confidential Patient Information
The Secretary of State has served notice to recipients under Regulation 3(4) that requires Towcester Medical Centre to process confidential patient information, including disseminating to a person or organisation permitted to process confidential patient information under Regulation 3(3) of COPI.
Towcester Medical Centre is only required to process such confidential patient information:
where the confidential patient information to be processed is required for a Covid-19 Purpose and will be processed solely for that Covid-19 Purpose in accordance with Regulation 7 of COPI
from 20th March 2020 until 31 March 2021.
Covid-19 Purpose.
A Covid-19 Purpose includes but is not limited to the following:
understanding Covid-19 and risks to public health, trends in Covid-19 and such risks, and controlling and preventing the spread of Covid-19 and such risks
identifying and understanding information about patients or potential patients with or at risk of Covid-19, information about incidents of patient exposure to Covid-19 and the management of patients with or at risk of Covid-19 including: locating, contacting, screening, flagging and monitoring such patients and collecting information about and providing services in relation to testing, diagnosis, self-isolation, fitness to work, treatment, medical and social interventions and recovery from Covid-19
understanding information about patient access to health services and adult social care services and the need for wider care of patients and vulnerable groups as a direct or indirect result of Covid-19 and the availability and capacity of those services or that care
monitoring and managing the response to Covid-19 by health and social care bodies and the Government including providing information to the public about Covid-19 and its effectiveness and information about capacity, medicines, equipment, supplies, services and the workforce within the health services and adult social care services
delivering services to patients, clinicians, the health services and adult social care services workforce and the public about and in connection with Covid-19, including the provision of information, fit notes and the provision of health care and adult social care services
research and planning in relation to Covid-19.
Recording of processing
A record will be kept by Towcester Medical Centre of all data processed under this Notice.
Sending Public Health Messages
Data protection and electronic communication laws will not stop Towcester Medical Centre from sending public health messages to you, either by phone, text or email as these messages are not direct marketing.
Digital Consultations
It may also be necessary, where the latest technology allows Towcester Medical Centre to do so, to use your information and health data to facilitate digital consultations and diagnoses and we will always do this with your security in mind.
Research and Pandemic Planning
The Secretary of State has directed NHS Digital to collect, process and analyse data in connection with COVID-19 to support the Secretary of State’s response to COVID-19 and support various COVID-19 purposes set out in the COVID-19 Public Health Directions 2020, 17 March 2020 (as amended) (COVID-19 Direction) and below. This enables NHS Digital to collect data and analyse and link the data for COVID-19 purposes with other data held by NHS Digital.
The purpose of the data collection is also to respond to the intense demand for General Practice data to be shared in support of vital planning and research for COVID-19 purposes, including under the general legal notice issued by the Secretary of State under Regulation 3(4) of the Health Service (Control of Patient Information) Regulations 2002 (COPI).
NHS Digital has therefore been requested by the joint co-chairs of the Joint GP IT Committee (JGPITC) (the BMA and RCGP) to provide a tactical solution during the period of the COVID-19 pandemic to meet this demand and to relieve the growing burden and responsibility on General Practices. On 15 April 2020 the BMA and RCGP therefore gave their support via JGPITC to NHS Digital’s proposal to use the General Practice Extraction Service (GPES) to deliver a data collection from General Practices, at scale and pace, as a tactical solution to support the COVID-19 response in the pandemic emergency period.
It is a requirement of the JGPITC that all requests by organisations to access and use this data will need to be made via the NHSX SPOC COVID-19 request process, that will triage and prioritise these requests and refer appropriate requests on to the NHS Digital Data Access Request Service (DARS). NHS Digital will consult with representatives of the BMA and the RCGP on all requests for access to the data. An outline of the process for this agreed with the BMA and the RCGP is published here. Requests by organisations to access record level data from this collection will also be subject to Independent Group Advising on the Release of Data (IGARD) consideration. Data applicants will need to demonstrate they have a lawful basis to access the data for COVID-19 purposes.
Benefits of this sharing
Organisations, including the Government, health and social care organisations and researchers need access to this vital data for a range of COVID-19 purposes, to help plan, monitor and manage the national response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which will help save lives. COVID-19 purposes for which this data may be analysed and used may include:
understanding COVID-19 and risks to public health, trends in COVID-19 and such risks, and controlling and preventing the spread of COVID-19 and such risks
identifying and understanding information about patients or potential patients with, or at risk of COVID-19, information about incidents of patient exposure to COVID-19 and the management of patients with or at risk of COVID-19 including: locating, contacting, screening, flagging and monitoring such patients and collecting information about and providing services in relation to testing, diagnosis, self-isolation, fitness to work, treatment, medical and social interventions and recovery from COVID19
understanding information about patient access to health services and adult social care services as a direct or indirect result of COVID-19, and the availability and capacity of those services • monitoring and managing the response to COVID-19 by health and social care bodies and the Government including providing information to the public about COVID-19 and its effectiveness and information about capacity, medicines, equipment, supplies, services and the workforce within the health services and adult social care services
delivering services to patients, clinicians, the health services and adult social care services workforce and the public about and in connection with COVID-19, including the provision of information, fit notes and the provision of health care and adult social care services; and
research and planning in relation to COVID-19.
Data may be analysed and linked to other data held by NHS Digital or held by other organisations to which access to the data is granted for COVID-19 purposes, through the process described above.
Data will be collected nationally from all GP Practices by NHS Digital every fortnight. All requests to access this data will be triaged through the NHSX SPOC COVID-19 request process and assessed and fulfilled by NHS Digital through DARS. This will significantly reduce the burden on General Practice at a time when demand on resources is high, enabling General Practice to focus on delivering health care and support to patients. It will also reduce compliance burden and risk for General Practice associated with sharing data and complying with the terms of the general legal notice issued under COPI, which applies to General Practices.
Legal Basis for this collection
NHS Digital has been directed by the Secretary of State under section 254 of the 2012 Act under the COVID-19 Direction to establish and operate a system for the collection and analysis of the information specified for this service: GPES Data for Pandemic Planning and Research (COVID-19). A copy of the COVID-19 Direction is published here: https://digital.nhs.uk//about-nhs-digital/corporate-information-and-documents/directions-anddata-provision-notices/secretary-of-state-directions/covid-19-public-health-directions-2020.
Details of the information to be collected can be found on the NHS Digital website – Specification of this DPN. Type 1 objections will be upheld in collecting this data from General Practices and therefore the data for those patients who have registered a Type 1 objection with their GP will not be collected. The Type 1 objection prevents an individual’s personal identifiable confidential information from being shared outside of their GP Practice except when it is being used for the purposes of their direct care. The National Data Opt-Out will not apply to the collection of the data, as this is a collection which is required by law.
This information is required by NHS Digital under section 259(1)(a) of the 2012 Act to comply with the COVID-19 Direction. In line with section 259(5) of the 2012 Act, all organisations in England that are within the scope of this Notice, as identified below under Health and Social Care Bodies within the scope of the collection, must comply with the requirement and provide information to NHS Digital in the form, manner and for the period specified in this Notice. This Notice is issued in accordance with the procedure published as part of NHS Digital’s duty under section 259(8) of the 2012 Act.
Visitors to The Practice
We have an obligation to protect our staff and employees’ health, so it is reasonable for staff at Towcester Medical Centre to ask any visitors to our practice to tell us if they have visited a particular country, or are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms. This must only be in pre-approved circumstances and we would also ask all patients to consider government advice on the NHS 111 website and not attend the practice.
Where it is necessary for us to collect information and specific health data about visitors to our practice, we will not collect more information than we need, and we will ensure that any information collected is treated with the appropriate safeguards.
Review and Expiry of this Notice
This Notice will be reviewed on or before 31 March 2021 and may be extended by The Secretary of State. If no further notice is sent to Towcester Medical Centre by The Secretary of State this Notice will expire on 31 March 2021.
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Job Applicant Privacy Notice
Data controller: Dr Andrew Odwell, Towcester Medical Centre, Link Way, Towcester, NN12 6HH
The Practice Data Protection Officer is Hayley Gidman of PCDC. Any queries regarding Data Protection issues should be addressed to her. She can be contacted at [email protected] or by phone on 01782 872648
As part of any recruitment process, the practice collects and processes personal data relating to job applicants and is committed to being transparent about how it collects and uses that data in line with data protection legislation.
What information does the practice collect?
The practice collects a range of information about you. This includes:
your name, address and contact details, including email address and telephone number;
details of your qualifications, skills, experience and employment history;
information about your current level of remuneration, including benefit entitlements;
whether or not you have a disability for which the practice needs to make reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process;
information about your entitlement to work in the UK; and
equal opportunities monitoring information, including information about your ethnic origin, sexual orientation, health and religion or belief;
The practice collects this information in a variety of ways, such as:
Application forms:
CVs or resumes;
Copies of your passport other identity documents;
Information collected through interviews or other forms of assessment.
The practice will also collect personal data about you from third parties, such as:
References supplied by former employers;
Information from employment background check providers and information from criminal records checks;
The practice may seek information from third parties only once a job offer to you has been made and will inform you that it is doing so.
Data will be stored in a range of different places, including:
Your application record;
HR management systems;
IT systems (including email).
Why does the practice process personal data?
The practice needs to process data to take steps at your request prior to entering into a contract with you. It also needs to process your data to enter into a contract with you.
The practice needs to process data to ensure that it complies with its legal obligations such as being required to check a successful applicant’s eligibility to work in the UK before employment starts.
The practice has a legitimate interest in processing personal data during the recruitment process and for keeping records of the process. Processing data from job applicants allows the practice to:
Manage the recruitment process;
Assess and confirm a candidate’s suitability for employment;
Decide to whom to offer a job;
Respond to and defend against legal claims.
Where the practice relies on legitimate interests as a reason for processing data, it will consider whether or not those interests are overridden by the rights and freedoms of applicants, employees or workers.
The practice will process health information if it needs to make reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process for candidates who have a disability. This is to carry out its obligations and exercise specific rights in relation to employment. Where the practice processes other special categories of data, such as information about ethnic origin, sexual orientation, health or religion or belief, this is for equal opportunities monitoring purposes.
Your information will be shared internally for the purposes of the recruitment exercise. This includes:
Interviewers involved in the recruitment process
Managers in the area with a vacancy
IT staff
The practice will not share your data with third parties, unless your application for employment is successful and it makes you an offer of employment. The practice will then share your data with former employers to obtain references for you, employment background check providers to obtain necessary background checks and the Disclosure and Barring Service to obtain necessary criminal records checks
The practice will not transfer your data outside the European Economic Area.
How does the practice protect data?
The practice takes the security of your data seriously. Internal policies and controls are in place to ensure that your data is not lost, accidentally destroyed, misused or disclosed, and is not accessed except by our employees in the proper performance of their duties.
For how long does the practice keep data?
If your application for employment is unsuccessful, the practice will hold your data on file for no longer than six months after the end of the relevant recruitment process. At the end of that period your data is deleted or destroyed unless you have given us permission to retain your details on file.
If your application for employment is successful, personal data gathered during the recruitment process will be transferred to your personnel file. The periods for which your data will be held will be provided to you in a new privacy notice.
Your rights
As a data subject, you have a number of rights. You can:
access and obtain a copy of your data on request;
require the practice to change incorrect or incomplete data;
require the practice to delete or stop processing your data, for example where the data is no longer necessary for the purposes of processing;
object to the processing of your data where the practice is relying on its legitimate interests as the legal ground for processing; and
ask the practice to stop processing data for a period if data is inaccurate or there is a dispute about whether or not your interests override the practice’s legitimate grounds for processing data.
If you would like to exercise any of these rights, please contact Karen Wheeler.
If you believe that the practice has not complied with your data protection rights, you can complain to the Information Commissioner.
What if you do not provide personal data?
You are under no statutory or contractual obligation to provide data to the practice during the recruitment process. However, if you do not provide the information, the practice may not be able to process your application properly or at all.
Automated decision-making
The practice does not use any form of automated decision making during the recruitment process
Standard Practice Privacy Notice:
Data Protection Privacy Notice for Patients
TOWCESTER M.C. Privacy Notice for Patients
Data Protection Privacy Notice for Patients
Introduction
This privacy notice lets you know what happens to any personal data that you give to us, or any information that we may collect from you or about you from other organisations.
This privacy notice applies to personal information processed by or on behalf of the practice.
This Notice explains:
Who we are and how we use your personal information?
Information about our Data Protection Officer
What kinds of personal information we hold about you and what information we use
The legal grounds for processing your personal information, including when we share it with other organisations.
What to do if your personal information changes
For how long your personal information is retained for/stored by us
What your rights are under Data Protection laws
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018 (DPA18) became law on 25th May 2018. The GDPR is a single EU-wide regulation on the protection of confidential and sensitive information and the DPA18 implements the regulations into comprehensive UK legislation. Following the decision for the UK to leave the European Union and following the end of the transition period, from January 1st, 2021 the UK has been subject to an Adequacy Agreement which will allow data to continue to be shared with European Union Countries without further safeguarding being necessary. This is to allow the European Commission suitable time to grant the UK with adequacy status, meaning they have met the required standards in ensuring data transfers to and from the UK are safe. All references to GDPR will now be referred to as UK GDPR.
For the purpose of applicable data protection legislation (including UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018 the practice responsible for your personal data, and referred to at the Data Controller, is TOWCESTER M.C..
This Notice describes how we collect, use, and process your personal data, and how in doing so, we comply with our legal obligations to you. Your privacy is important to us, and we are committed to protecting and safeguarding your data privacy rights.
How we use your information and the law
TOWCESTER M.C. will be the “Data Controller” of your personal data.
We collect basic personal data about you, which includes name, address, telephone number, email address, date of birth, next of kin information, NHS number etc.
We will also collect sensitive confidential data known as “special category personal data”, in the form of health information, religious beliefs, (if required in a healthcare setting) ethnicity, sexuality etc. and we may also receive this information about you from other health providers or third parties.
Your rights over your personal information
As an individual you have the following rights over your persona information:
Right to be informed – you have the right to be informed on how we handle, process, and share your personal information; this privacy notice ensures as a practice we satisfy this right.
Right to access your personal information– you can request access to and/or copies of the personal data we hold about you, free of charge (subject to exemptions) within one calendar month. Such requests can be made verbally or in writing, but we do request that you provide us with adequate information to process your request, such as providing full name, address, date of birth, NHS number and details of your request and, where necessary, any documents to verify your identity.
On processing a request there may be occasions when information may be withheld if we as a practice believe that releasing the information to you could cause serious harm or distress. Information may also be withheld if another person (i.e., third party) is identified in the record, and they do not want their information disclosed to you. However, if the other person mentioned in your records was acting in their professional capacity in caring for you, in normal circumstances they could not prevent you from having access to that information.
To request a copy or request access to information we hold about you and/or to request information to be corrected if it is inaccurate, please contact: Dr Andrew Odwell LINK WAY, TOWCESTER, SOUTH NN12 6HH
Right to rectification – The correction of personal data when incorrect, out of date or incomplete will be acted upon within one calendar month of receipt of such a request. Please ensure TOWCESTER M.C. has the correct contact details for you at all times.
Right to erasure – Under Article 17 of the UK GDPR individuals have the right to have personal data erased. This is also known as the ‘right to be forgotten’. The right is not absolute and only applies in certain circumstances, for example when your personal data is no longer necessary for the purpose which it was originally collected or processed for, or if you wish to withdraw your consent after you have previously given your consent.
Right to restrict processing – Article 18 of the UK GDPR gives individuals the right to restrict the processing of their personal data in certain circumstances. This means that you can limit the way that the practice uses your data. This is an alternative to requesting the erasure of your data. Individuals have the right to restrict the processing of their personal data where they have a particular reason for wanting the restriction.
Right to data portability – The right to data portability gives individuals the right to receive personal data they have provided to the Practice in a structured, commonly used, and machine-readable format (i.e., email, upload to a portable device etc.).
Right to object to processing – you have the right to object to processing, however, please note if we can demonstrate compelling legitimate grounds which outweighs your interest, then processing can continue. If we did not process any information about you and your health care if would be very difficult for us to care and treat you.
Rights in relation to automated decision making and profiling – Automated individual decision-making is a decision made by automated means (i.e., a computer system) without any human involvement. If any of the processes we use rely on automated decision making, you do have the right to ask for a human to review any computer-generated decision at any point.
Why we need your information.
The healthcare professionals who provide you with care maintain records about your health and any treatment or care you have received previously. These records help to provide you with the best possible healthcare and treatment.
NHS health records may be electronic, paper-based or a mixture of both. We use a combination of working practices and technology to ensure that your information is kept confidential and secure.
Records about you may include the following information:
Details about you, such as your address, your carer or legal representative and emergency contact details.
Any contact the surgery has had with you, such as appointments, clinic visits, emergency appointments.
Notes and reports about your health.
Details about your treatment and care.
Results of investigations such as laboratory tests, x-rays etc.
Relevant information from other health professionals, relatives or those who care for you.
Contact details (including email address, mobile telephone number and home telephone number)
To ensure you receive the best possible care, your records are used to facilitate the care you receive, including contacting you. Information held about you may be used to help protect the health of the public and to help us manage the NHS and the services we provide. Limited information may be used within the GP practice for clinical audit to monitor the quality of the service we provided.
How we lawfully use your data.
We need your personal, sensitive, and confidential data in order to provide you with healthcare services as a General Practice, under the UK GDPR we will be lawfully using your information in accordance with:
Article 6 (1)(e) processing is necessary for the performance of a task carried out in the public interest or in the exercise of official authority vested in the controller.
Article 9 (2) (h) processing is necessary for the purposes of preventive or occupational medicine, for the assessment of the working capacity of the employee, medical diagnosis, the provision of health or social care or treatment or the management of health or social care systems.
This Privacy Notice applies to the personal data of our patients and the data you have given us about your carers/family members.
Risk Stratification
Risk stratification data tools are increasingly being used in the NHS to help determine a person’s risk of suffering a condition, preventing an unplanned or (re)admission and identifying a need for preventive intervention. Information about you is collected from several sources including NHS Trusts and from this GP Practice. The identifying parts of your data are removed, analysis of your data is undertaken, and a risk score is then determined. This is then provided back to your GP as data controller in an identifiable form. Risk stratification enables your GP to focus on initiatives for preventing ill health and not just the treatment of sickness, so being far more proactive in an ever-changing health climate. As a result of risk stratification, your GP may be able to offer you additional services. Please note that you have the right to opt-out of your data being used in this way in most circumstances; please see appendix A for further information and contact the practice if you wish to discuss opt-out preferences.
Individual Risk Management at a GP practice level however is deemed to be part of your individual healthcare and is covered by our legal powers above.
Our data processor for Risk Stratification is: Dr Andrew Odwell
Medicines Management
The Practice may conduct Medicines Management Reviews of medications prescribed to its patients. This service performs a review of prescribed medications to ensure patients receive the most appropriate, up to date and cost-effective treatments. The reviews are carried out by the Clinical Commissioning Group’s Medicines Management Team under a Data Processing contract with the Practice.
Patient Communication
The Practice would like to use your name, contact details, and email address to inform you of NHS services, or provide inform about your health/information to manage your healthcare or information about the management of the NHS service. There may be occasions where authorised research facilities would like you to take part in research in regard to your particular health issues, to try and improve your health. Your contact details may be used to invite you to receive further information about such research opportunities, but you must give your explicit consent to receive messages for research purposes.
Safeguarding
The Practice is dedicated to ensuring that the principles and duties of safeguarding adults and children are holistically, consistently, and conscientiously applied with the wellbeing of all patients at the heart of what we do.
Our legal basis for processing information for safeguarding purposes, as stipulated in the UK GDPR is:
Article 6(1)(e) ‘…exercise of official authority…’.
For the processing of special categories data, the basis is:
Article 9(2)(b) – ‘processing is necessary for the purposes of carrying out the obligations and exercising specific rights of the controller or of the data subject in the field of employment and social security and social protection law…’
Categories of personal data
The data collected by Practice staff in the event of a safeguarding situation, will be minimised to include only the personal information as is necessary in order to handle the situation. In addition to some basic demographic and contact details, we will also process details of what the safeguarding concern is. This is likely to be special category information.
Sources of the data
The Practice will either receive or collect information when someone contacts the organisation with safeguarding concerns, or we believe there may be safeguarding concerns and make enquiries to relevant providers.
Recipients of personal data
The information is used by the Practice when handling a safeguarding incident or concern. We may share information accordingly to ensure duty of care and investigation as required with other partners such as local authorities, the police or healthcare professionals (i.e., their GP or mental health team).
Research
Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD) collects anonymised patient data from a network of GP practices across the UK. Primary care data is linked to a range of other health related data to provide a fully representative UK population health dataset. You can opt out of your information being used for research purposes at any time (as detailed in Appendix A) and full details on CRPD can be found here:
The NHS needs data about the patients it treats in order to plan and deliver its services and to ensure that care and treatment provided is safe and effective. The General Practice Data for Planning and Research data collection will help the NHS to improve health and care services for everyone by collecting patient data that can be used to do this. For example, patient data can help the NHS to:
monitor the long-term safety and effectiveness of care.
plan how to deliver better health and care services.
prevent the spread of infectious diseases.
identify new treatments and medicines through health research.
GP practices already share patient data for these purposes, but this new data collection will be more efficient and effective. We have agreed to share the patient data we look after in our practice with NHS Digital who will securely store, analyse, publish, and share this patient data to improve health and care services for everyone. This includes:
informing and developing health and social care policy
planning and commissioning health and care services
taking steps to protect public health (including managing and monitoring the coronavirus pandemic)
in exceptional circumstances, providing you with individual care.
enabling healthcare and scientific research
This means that we can get on with looking after our patients and NHS Digital can provide controlled access to patient data to the NHS and other organisations who need to use it to improve health and care for everyone.
Contributing to research projects will benefit us all as better and safer treatments are introduced more quickly and effectively without compromising your privacy and confidentiality.
Data will be shared from 1 July 2021. Data may be shared from the GP medical records about:
any living patient registered at a GP practice in England when the collection started – this includes children and adults.
any patient who died after this data sharing started and was previously registered at a GP practice in England when the data collection started.
We will not share your name or where you live. Any other data that could directly identify you, for example your NHS number, General Practice Local Patient Number, full postcode, and date of birth, is replaced with unique codes which are produced by de-identification software before the data is shared with NHS Digital.
This process is called pseudonymisation and means that no one will be able to directly identify you in the data. NHS Digital will be able to use the same software to convert the unique codes back to data that could directly identify you in certain circumstances, and where there is a valid legal reason. Only NHS Digital has the ability to do this. An example would be where you consent to your identifiable data being shared with a research project or clinical trial in which you are participating, as they need to know the data is about you.
If you don’t want your identifiable patient data to be shared for purposes except for your own care, you can opt-out by registering a Type 1 Opt-out or a National Data Opt-out, or both. These opt-outs are different, and they are explained in more detail below. Your individual care will not be affected if you opt out using either option.
Type 1 Opt-Outs – If you do not want your identifiable patient data to be shared outside of the GP practice for purposes except your own care, you can register an opt-out with the GP practice. This is known as a Type 1 Opt-out. Type 1 Opt-outs were introduced in 2013 for data sharing from GP practices, but may be discontinued in the future as a new opt-out has since been introduced to cover the broader health and care system, called the National Data Opt-out. If this happens, patients who have registered a Type 1 Opt-out will be informed. There is more information about National Data Opt-outs below.
NHS Digital will not collect any patient data for patients who have already registered a Type 1 Opt-in line with current policy. If this changes patients who have registered a Type 1 Opt-out will be informed.
If you do not want your patient data shared with NHS Digital for the purposes above, you can register a Type 1 Opt-out with your GP practice. You can register a Type 1 Opt-out at any time. You can also change your mind at any time and withdraw a Type 1 Opt-out.
If you have already registered a Type 1 Opt-out with us your data will not be shared with NHS Digital. If you wish to register a Type 1 Opt-out with your us before data sharing starts with NHS Digital, this should be done by returning this form to us practice by 23 June 2021 to allow time for processing it. If you have previously registered a Type 1 Opt-out and you would like to withdraw this, you can also use the form to do this. You can send the form by post or email to your us at the GP Practice or call 0300 3035678 for a form to be sent out to you.
If you register a Type 1 Opt-out after your patient data has already been shared with NHS Digital, no more of your data will be shared with NHS Digital. NHS Digital will however still hold the patient data which was shared with them before you registered the Type 1 Opt-out.
If you do not want NHS Digital to share your identifiable patient data with anyone else for purposes beyond your own care, then you can also register a National Data Opt-out.
National Data Opt-Out
If you don’t want your confidential patient information to be shared by NHS Digital with other organisations for purposes except your own care – either GP data, or other data it holds, such as hospital data – you can register a National Data Opt-out.
If you have registered a National Data Opt-out, NHS Digital will not share any confidential patient information about you with other organisations, unless there is an exemption to this, such as where there is a legal requirement or where it is in the public interest to do so, such as helping to manage contagious diseases like coronavirus. You can find out more about exemptions on the NHS website.
From 1 October 2021, the National Data Opt-out will also apply to any confidential patient information shared by the GP practice with other organisations for purposes except your individual care. It will not apply to this data being shared by GP practices with NHS Digital, as it is a legal requirement for us to share this data with NHS Digital and the National Data Opt-out does not apply where there is a legal requirement to share data.
You can find out more about and register a National Data Opt-out or change your choice on nhs.uk/your-nhs-data-matters or by calling 0300 3035678.
The legal bases for processing this information.
The Health and Social Care Act 2012 covers the sharing and collection of health and care data. It says that when the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care needs to collect and analyse data to help the health service, they can tell NHS Digital to do this for them. The instruction, which NHS Digital must act on, is called a direction. In this case:
1.) The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care sent a direction to NHS Digital, instructing them to collect and analyse general practice data for health and social care purposes including policy, planning, commissioning, public health, and research purposes.
2.) NHS Digital sent all GP practices a document called a Data Provision Notice, giving details of the data it needs GP Practices like ours to share so it can comply with the direction. All GP Practices in England are required to share data with NHS Digital when they are sent a Data Provision Notice.
Under data protection law, we can only share patient data if we have a legal basis under Articles 6 and 9 of the UK GDPR. Our legal basis for sharing patient data with NHS Digital is Article 6(1)(c) – legal obligation, as we are required under the 2012 Act to share it with NHS Digital.
When we are sharing patient data about health, we also need a legal basis under Article 9 of the UK GDPR. This is:
Article 9(2)(g) – as we are sharing patient data for reasons of substantial public interest, for the purposes of NHS Digital exercising its statutory functions under the General Practice Data for Planning and Research Directions. It is substantially in the public interest to process patient data for planning and research purposes to improve health and care services for everyone. This is permitted under paragraph 6 of Schedule 1 of the Data Protection Act 2018 (DPA).
Article 9(2)(h) – as we are sharing patient data for the purposes of providing care and managing health and social care systems and services. This is permitted under paragraph 2 of Schedule 1 of the DPA.
Article 9(2)(i) – as patient data will also be used for public health purposes. This is permitted under paragraphs 3 of Schedule 1 of the DPA.
Article 9(2)(j) – as patient data will also be used for the purposes of scientific research and for statistical purposes. This is permitted under paragraph 4 of Schedule 1 of the DPA.
Third party processors
In order to deliver the best possible service, the practice will share data (where required) with other NHS bodies such as other GP practices and hospitals. In addition, the practice will use carefully selected third party service providers. When we use a third-party service provider to process data on our behalf then we will always have an appropriate agreement in place to ensure that they keep the data secure, that they do not use or share information other than in accordance with our instructions and that they are operating appropriately. Examples of functions that may be carried out by third parties include:
Companies that provide IT services & support, including our core clinical systems; systems which manage patient facing services (such as our website and service accessible through the same); data hosting service providers; systems which facilitate appointment bookings or electronic prescription services; document management services etc.
Delivery services (for example if we were to arrange for delivery of any medicines to you).
Payment providers (if for example you were paying for a prescription or a service such as travel vaccinations).
Further details regarding specific third-party processors can be supplied on request to the practice.
How we maintain the confidentiality of your records
We are committed to protecting your privacy and will only use information collected lawfully in accordance with:
Data Protection Act 2018
The UK General Data Protection Regulations (UK GDPR)
Human Rights Act 1998
Common Law Duty of Confidentiality
Health and Social Care Act 2012
NHS Codes of Confidentiality, Information Security and Records Management
Information: To Share or Not to Share Review
Every member of staff who works for an NHS organisation has a legal obligation to keep information about you confidential.
We will only ever use or pass on information about you if others involved in your care have a genuine need for it. We will not disclose your information to any third party without your permission unless there are exceptional circumstances (i.e., life or death situations), where the law requires information to be passed on and/or in accordance with the information sharing principle following Dame Fiona Caldicott’s information sharing review (Information to share or not to share) where “The duty to share information can be as important as the duty to protect patient confidentiality.” This means that health and social care professionals should have the confidence to share information in the best interests of their patients within the framework set out by the Caldicott principles.
Our practice policy is to respect the privacy of our patients, their families, and our staff and to maintain compliance with the UK GDPR and all UK specific Data Protection Requirements. Our policy is to ensure all personal data related to our patients will be protected.
All employees and sub-contractors engaged by our practice are asked to sign a confidentiality agreement. The practice will, if required, sign a separate confidentiality agreement if the client deems it necessary. If a sub-contractor acts as a data processor for TOWCESTER M.C. an appropriate contract will be established for the processing of your information.
In certain circumstances you may have the right to withdraw your consent to the processing of data. Please contact the Dr Andrew Odwellin writing if you wish to withdraw your consent. If some circumstances we may need to store your data after your consent has been withdrawn to comply with a legislative requirement.
Some of this information will be held centrally and used for statistical purposes. Where we do this, we take strict measures to ensure that individual patients cannot be identified. Sometimes your information may be requested to be used for research purposes – the surgery will always gain your consent before releasing the information for this purpose in an identifiable format. In some circumstances you can Opt-out of the surgery sharing any of your information for research purposes.
With your consent we would also like to use your information
There are times that we may want to use your information to contact you or offer you services, not directly about your healthcare, in these instances we will always gain your consent to contact you. We would however like to use your name, contact details, and email address to inform you of other services that may benefit you. We will only do this with your consent. There may be occasions where authorised research facilities would like you to take part on innovations, research, improving services or identifying trends, you will be asked to opt into such programmes if you are happy to do so.
At any stage where we would like to use your data for anything other than the specified purposes and where there is no lawful requirement for us to share or process your data, we will ensure that you have the ability to consent and opt out prior to any data processing taking place.
This information is not shared with third parties or used for any marketing and you can unsubscribe at any time via phone, email or by informing the practice.
Where we store your electronic information
All the personal data we process is processed by our staff in the UK however for the purposes of IT hosting and maintenance this information may be located on servers within the European Union.
No third parties have access to your personal data unless the law allows them to do so, and appropriate safeguards have been put in place such as a Data Processing agreement. We have a Data Protection regime in place to oversee the effective and secure processing of your personal and or special category data.
EMIS Web
The Practice uses a clinical system provided by a Data Processor called EMIS. Since June 2019, EMIS commenced storing your practice’s EMIS Web data in a highly secure, third party cloud hosted environment, namely Amazon Web Services (“AWS”).
The data will remain in the UK at all times and will be fully encrypted both in transit and at rest. In doing this there will be no change to the control of access to your data and the hosted service provider will not have any access to the decryption keys. AWS is one of the world’s largest cloud companies, already supporting numerous public sector clients (including the NHS), and it offers the very highest levels of security and support.
Our partner organisations
We may also have to share your information, subject to strict agreements on how it will be used, with the following organisations:
NHS Trusts/Foundation Trusts
GP’s
Primary Care Networks
Integrated Care Systems
NHS Commissioning Support Units
Independent Contractors such as dentists, opticians, pharmacists
Private Sector Providers
Voluntary Sector Providers
Ambulance Trusts
Clinical Commissioning Groups
Social Care Services
NHS England (NHSE) and NHS Digital (NHSD)
Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH)
Local Authorities
Education Services
Fire and Rescue Services
Police & Judicial Services
Other ‘data processors’ which you will be informed of
You will be informed who your data will be shared with and in some cases asked for consent for this to happen when this is required.
Computer System of Choice
This practice operates a Clinical Computer System of Choice on which NHS Staff record information securely. This information can then be shared with other clinicians so that everyone caring for you is fully informed about your medical history, including allergies and medication.
To provide around the clock safe care, unless you have asked us not to, we will make information available to our Partner Organisations (as listed above). Wherever possible, their staff will ask for your consent before your information is viewed.
Shared Care Records
To support your care and improve the sharing of relevant information to our partner organisations when they are involved in looking after you, we will share information to other systems. You can opt-out of this sharing of your records with our partners at any time if this sharing is based on your consent.
We may also use external companies to process personal information, such as for archiving purposes. These companies are bound by contractual agreements to ensure information is kept confidential and secure. All employees and sub-contractors engaged by our practice are asked to sign a confidentiality agreement. If a sub-contractor acts as a data processor for TOWCESTER M.C. an appropriate contract will be established for the processing of your information.
Sharing your information without consent
We will normally ask you for your consent, but there are times when we may be required by law to share your information without your consent, for example:
where there is a serious risk of harm or abuse to you or other people.
Safeguarding matters and investigations
where a serious crime, such as assault, is being investigated or where it could be prevented.
notification of new births
where we encounter infectious diseases that may endanger the safety of others, such as meningitis or measles (but not HIV/AIDS)
where a formal court order has been issued
where there is a legal requirement, for example if you had committed a Road Traffic Offence.
How long we store your information for
We are required under UK law to keep your information and data for the full retention periods as specified by the NHS Records management code of practice for health and social care and national archives requirements.
More information on records retention can be found in the NHS Records Management Code of Practice 2020
This will only happen following a review of the information at the end of its retention period. Where data has been identified for disposal, we have the following responsibilities:
to ensure that information held in manual form is destroyed using a cross-cut shredder or contracted to a reputable confidential waste company Shredsafe that complies with European Standard EN15713 and obtain certificates of destruction.
to ensure that electronic storage media used to store, or process information are destroyed or overwritten to national standards.
Primary Care Networks
The objective of Primary Care Networks (PCNs) is for group practices working together to create more collaborative workforces which ease the pressure of GP’s, leaving them better able to focus on patient care. The aim is for all areas within England to be covered by a PCN.
Primary Care Networks form a key building block of the NHS long-term plan. Bringing general practices together to work at scale has been a policy priority for some years for a range of reasons, including improving the ability of practices to recruit and retain staff; to manage financial and estates pressures; to provide a wider range of services to patients and to integrate with the wider health and care system more easily.
All GP practices are expected to come together in geographical networks covering populations of approximately 30–50,000 patients and take advantage of additional funding attached to the GP contract.
This means the practice may share your information with other practices within the PCN to provide you with your care and treatment.
TOWCESTER M.C. is a member of the Brackley and Towcester PCN which includes the following local GP Practices:
Brook Health Centre
Brackley Medical Centre
Springfield Surgery
Access to your personal information
You have a right under the Data Protection legislation to request access to view or to obtain copies of what information the surgery holds about you and to have it amended should it be inaccurate. For any request you should:
Make your request directly to the practice. (For information from a hospital or other Trust/ NHS organisation you should write directly to them).
Be aware that there is no charge to have a copy of the information held about you.
Be aware that information must be released to you within one calendar month (unless in exceptional circumstances, which you will be informed of a part of the process)
Be aware you may be asked for key information to process the request (for example full name, address, date of birth, NHS number and details of your request) so that your identity can be verified, and your records retrieved.
What to do if your personal information changes
You should tell us so that we can update our records as we are required to keep accurate and up-to-date records at all times. Please contact the Practice as soon as any of your details change, this is especially important for changes of address or contact details (such as your mobile phone number). The practice will from time to time ask you to confirm that the information we currently hold is accurate and up to date.
Objections/Complaints
Should you have any concerns about how your information is managed at the practice, please contact the Dr Andrew Odwell in the first instance. If you are still unhappy following a review of your concerns by the practice, you have the right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority, the Information Commissioner’s Office using the contact details below:
If you are happy for your data to be used for the purposes described in this privacy notice, then you do not need to do anything. If you have any concerns about how your data is shared, then please contact the Practice Data Protection Officer, Caldicott Guardian or IG Lead.
If you would like to know more about your rights in respect of the personal data that we hold about you, please use the contact details below:
IG Lead:
Dr Andrew Odwell
Caldicott Guardian:
Dr Andrew Odwell
Data Protection Officer:
Hayley Gidman
Useful Links
Please find below some links to external webpages which you may wish to access to find out additional information:
Although the chances of any of these things happening are very small, before you access your medical health record, there are some important points to consider.
Forgotten history There may be something you have forgotten about in your record that you might find upsetting.
Abnormal results or bad news If your GP has given you access to test results or letters, you may see something that you find upsetting to you. This may occur before you have spoken to your doctor or while the surgery is closed and you cannot contact them.
Choosing to share your information with someone It’s up to you whether you share your information with others or not – perhaps family members or carers. It’s your choice, but also your responsibility to keep the information safe and secure.
Coercion If you think you may be pressured into revealing details from your patient record to someone else against your will, you can ask for access to be switched off.
Misunderstood information Your medical record is designed to be used by clinical professionals to ensure that you receive the best possible care. Some of the information within your medical record may be highly technical, written by specialists and not easily understood. If you have questions about your medical record, please e-mail the practice at [email protected], with ‘NOTES QUERY’ in the subject heading. Please do not call the practice with these queries.
Information about someone else If you spot something in the record that is not about you or notice any other errors, please log out of the system immediately and contact the practice as soon as possible.
Proxy Access If you are using this service to access another person’s account as a proxy (eg as a carer or parent), you have discussed appropriately what you are accessing and for what purpose. This service will be reviewed at regular intervals by the GP practice and may be rescinded at any time.
March 2022
March Update
We are delighted to welcome three new support staff to the surgery.
Our building works are in full motion now and our new extension is well under way. We are still advising patients to leave plenty of time for parking as this is currently limited.
Face Covering
Under the Government’s ‘Living with Covid’ plan infection controls in NHS premises remain in place.
Mask wearing is still mandatory in GP practices.
Please bring a face covering when you come to visit us
Feb 2022
Dr Katie Owles
We are delighted to announce Dr Katie Owles has now joined us a permanent GP with us at Towcester Medical Centre.
January 2022
Happy New Year
We have kicked started the new year with our extension work in full force and we are proud to announce our new management team.
Karen Jackson – Operations Manager
Rianna Dartnall – Office Manager
Zena Spink – Finance and Contracts Manager
We are pleased to announce we have new regular locum GP working with us from the start of the new year. Her Her name is Dr Katie Owles.
We are also delighted to announce that Cheryl Fleckney has taken on the role as our new Health Care Assistant.
You can stop self-isolating at the start of day 6 if you get 2 negative rapid lateral flow test results on days 5 and 6 and do not have a temperature. Tests must be at least 24 hours apart. If either test is positive, wait 24 hours before testing again.
Should you be displaying any symptoms of Covid-19 please do not come to the surgery. We can still arrange for you to get a telephone-call if you have a appointment booked.
December 2021
Ending 2021 – Update from our practice manager Karen Wheeler
Well, we have got to the end of 2021. It started with a big push for Covid vaccinations, and ended with the same.
Firstly, huge well-done to the staff of Towcester Medical Centre who has been involved with the Covid-19 vaccinating. You have been part of a huge national effort of historic significance to protect our patients from the ravages of the pandemic.
We have been very successful. 92% of our eligible patients received a 1st dose, 96% of those went on to receive a second and we have now boosted 79% of those due. This is an excellent achievement.
During the year Towcester Medical Centre have provided excellent care as can be seen from the GP Patient Survey with 93% of patients describing their experience with us as good, 97% finding the receptionists helpful, and 98% feeling their needs were met during their last appointment.
All of this this could only be achieved through the phenomenal hard work and flexibility of all members of the Practice.
Going forward into 2022, We hope the pandemic finally recedes and we can think about other things.
We have a new management team in place from January as we prepare for our deputy manager Alison Burnley’s retirement after 23 years of commitment to the Practice.
Thank you to everyone in this phenomenal team and our patients for their continued support despite all the challenges 2021 brought.
I think we have every reason to believe that 2022 will be as good – if not even better.
Karen Wheeler
November 2021
Surgery Extension
we are currently in the middle of extending the surgery to add more consulting rooms and increase appointment availability in the future. As a result the number of car parking spaces has reduced to allow for building materials so please take care when manoeuvring your car around the car park and please allow extra time for your visit.
There has been a lot of false and incorrect information and negativity towards Doctors Surgery’s – General Practitioners in particular in the Media. In the 6 months April to September 2019 ( pre pandemic) we carried out 21215 consultations.
In the 6 months April to September 2021 we carried out 24405 consultations. This is an increase of 15%.In the 6 months April to September 2019 we processed 17857 prescription requests.
In the 6 months April to September 2021 we processed 25409 prescription requests. This is an increase of 42%.
Our patient list has increased by 8% in that time so you can see that we are experiencing greater patient demand in addition to the growth of the town.
We thank you all for your continued support and we thank all our staff for their continuous hard work.
July 2021
We are now well into July, soon to be August. Who’d ever have thought the pandemic would carry on this long! But it has and we must still be vigilant.
Now the weather has turned extremely hot and some advice and guidance how to deal with the heat can be found following this link:
We are continuing the vaccine rollout and we have more Astra Zeneca appointments here at Towcester Medical Centre this week and also Pfizer vaccines available at Brackley Medical Centre appointments for which can be booked here at Towcester. Walk-in centres are also available in the vicinity.
We are starting to plan our seasonal flu campaign – which this year might be a little different as plans may include a covid booster at the same time.
In the meantime our surgeries are open – although with the new building that is going on in Towcester our patient list is increasing exponentially which will mean that appointments get filled up quicker and therefore longer waiting times. However, plans include expansion of the surgery in the coming year which we hope will help meet future demand.
Are you a mature driver? Are you worried about driving or are you concerned about someone else’s driving? Have a look at our mature drivers’ leaflet.
January 2021
We are currently working hard to maintain our usual high standards whilst also working to invite our patients for their covid 19 vaccination. See our home page and click on Covid 19 Vaccine news to find out more.
We would like to thank all our patients who kindly sent in gifts of chocolates and biscuits over the festive period. These were gratefully received and very much enjoyed – thank you.
December 2020
A reminder how we are working differently to help control the spread of the virus:
TOWCESTER MEDICAL CENTRE:
We are still open to care for you.
Appointments will be telephone calls in most cases and the doctor will invite you down if necessary.
If you are asked to come down for an appointment or you have made an appointment with the nurse you will be asked to wait in your car or outside until the doctor or nurse is ready and they will then come outside to call you in.
Please either telephone reception to inform you have arrived for your appointment or approach the window for Reception to report you are here.
PLEASE DRESS FOR THE WEATHER AND PLEASE BRING AND WEAR YOUR OWN MASK EVEN WHEN YOU APPROACH THE WINDOW.
Our staff will wear a mask when they open the window to protect themselves and our patients and visitors – we would ask that you do the same.
PAULERSPURY SURGERY:
If visiting Paulerspury to collect a prescription – please only enter the building one at a time.
PLEASE BRING AND WEAR YOUR OWN MASK – NO MASK, NO ENTRY
Our staff are behind a glass screen to protect patients and staff so we will not be able to bring items to the door for patients.
The waiting room remains closed – if you need to wait for a prescription kindly wait outside to allow other patients who may be waiting to come in.
We thank you for your co-operation – by working together we can keep each other safe.
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Single hearing aid found in Paulerspury surgery on the morning of Friday, 11 December. If you were there on the Friday morning – please get in touch.
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General GP Practices have received correspondence from the Government thanking the practices for the work they have been doing and are doing in the face of Covid-19. If you would like to read it please click on the link below.
During Coronavirus outbreak – the following arrangements are in place to keep our patients and our staff as safe as possible during the pandemic.
Appointments will firstly be by telephone with the GP having some availability to arrange for patients to come down to the surgery if necessary.
Most Nurse appointments will be by phone unless absolutely necessary, for example dressings, baby immunisations and some injections.
Blood test appointments are going ahead at Towcester.
Please do not come to the surgery unless you have had a phone call first and only then if asked to attend the surgery by a clinician or arranged a necessary face to face appointment with the nurse.
We are working harder than ever to deliver high quality care in a safe way during the pandemic.
If you do have to attend:
Come by car – aiming to arrive just in time for your appointment
Wait in your car
Ring 01327 359953 to advise reception you are there and provide the make and colour of your car
Clinician will come to see you at your car and may only then take you into the surgery.
If you have to walk, please do, again aiming to arrive just in time. Please come dressed for the weather and be prepared to wait outside.
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October 2020
September 2020
The Lowdown are running the second part of the ‘Learning After Lockdown’ remote workshops aimed at Parents/Carers and Young People (2 separate dates – see posters and details below).
We have spaces available and you do not need to have attended the first part, however, on attendance at part 2 you will be sent resources for all of the workshop programme. These workshops are free of charge as we are a delivery partner for Barnardo’s ‘See,Hear,Respond’ project but we will require consent to register your details with them.
If you are interested for yourself and/or your child please return the attached registration form to this email: [email protected]
Deadline for registration is this Friday 18th September
Job Vacancy
The vacancy for a receptionist/administrator at Towcester Medical Centre has been filled.
August 2020
Many people at higher risk of ill health due to the hot weather are also at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19. Phone and check on them. #BeatTheHeat
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Look out for older people and others who may find it more difficult to stay cool and hydrated in hot weather.#BeatTheHeat
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If you’re worried about cancer or worried you might have something that might be cancer, you can still contact your GP online or by phone. #HelpUsHelpYou www.nhs.uk/cancer
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July 2020
As the pandemic is easing slightly – we must all still be aware that Coronavirus has not yet gone away. Remain vigilant –
STAY ALERT > CONTROL THE VIRUS > SAVE LIVES.
Northampton Borough has recently had a spike in cases which has resulted in some further measures to try to control the virus. At the moment South Northamptonshire is staying below the recommended ‘R’ rate.
At Towcester Medical Centre we can now offer non-urgent telephone appointments. We still have our duty doctor available on a daily basis – but any non-urgent issues can be booked in a few days in advance. The initial consultation is still by telephone but the doctor has appointments that they can make if they feel that you need to be seen.
We are trying to minimise contact as much as possible to protect our staff and our patients. Therefore you may find that when you have an appointment, any reviews or measurements such as blood pressure, BMI etc may be done at the same time to minimise the number of times a patient has to visit the surgery. We hope you bear with us.
We are currently still advising patients to wait outside, alert Reception to the fact you have arrived and then wait in your car or outside until you are called by Reception or clinician to come in. Again this is to protect both our staff and our patients as far as possible.
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CANCERS – OVARIAN CANCER
This month we are highlighting awareness of Ovarian Cancer – do you know what the symptoms are? Follow this link to find out more
Planning on travelling during the Covid19 pandemic – please read the British Medical Association advice and guidance first – follow this link for more information
You may have noticed that we have updated our website – we hope you like it – but if you have any comments then please contact us by email on [email protected]
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Face Masks
PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE can you bring and wear your own face masks if attending the surgery – please allow us to maintain our stocks for our staff. Face masks are available online, or there are instructions online how to make your own – set your own trend of fashion by making and wearing a statement face mask!
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Cervical Smears
We are open for routine cervical smears – if you have received an invitation please contact the surgery to book a routine appointment. You will be asked to provide answers to some questions prior to your appointment, and subject to the responses, your appointment will be confirmed. Please, please bring and wear your own face mask to the appointment to protect stocks of masks for our staff. Thank you!
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Free HIV Test
Did you know – that, for a limited time, anyone over the age of 16 can have a FREE HIV test. To find out more about FREE HIV testing and other STI tests please follow this link… This offer finishes at the end of June 2020.
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Here we are at the beginning of June and lockdown easing slightly for the majority of the country. But the pandemic is NOT OVER!
STAY ALERT! CONTROL THE VIRUS! SAVE LIVES!
The Medical Centre will be starting to ease soon and we will soon be able to offer some routine appointments – watch this space – but we still need to be careful, we are a long way from normal.
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CARER’S WEEK 8-14 JUNE 2020
It’s Carer’s Week 8-14 June – lots of discussions and events are planned. Did you know there are over 6.5 million people caring for parents, partners, children or friends in the UK. It’s a staggering amount and largely unsung – so in these times where we have celebrated NHS and keyworkers and carers every Thursday – have a look at our Carer’s page and sign up to get involved if you can.
May 2020
ROYAL COLLEGE OF GENERAL PRACTITIONERS (RCGP) – RESEARCH & SURVEILLANCE CENTRE PRACTICE
This practice is one of over 600 practices in England contributing pseudonymised data for national research and surveillance.
These data enable continuous monitoring of infections and diseases in the community and is used in ethically approved research. The RCGP RSC is the main source of information for Public Health England (PHE) and helps with prediction and management of flu outbreaks and pandemics.
Providing pseudonymised data does not affect patients, their care or privacy, however if you no longer wish to allow your information to be used please speak to your GP.
For more information please go to the Clinical Research page and scroll down to the RCGP section.
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Thank you!
A huge thank you to Lees Cottage for their kind donation to the surgery. We are planning to spend this on much needed heart monitoring equipment and training equipment. Thank you!
Scrubs Up!
We would like to say a HUGE thank you to Scrubs Up for Northants NHS for making and donating scrubs for our doctors and nurses. Without this invaluable PPE would leave our doctors and nurses vulnerable and in times of national shortage it is heartening to see the community volunteers stepping up. Thank you volunteers!
Scrubs Up is a charity and doing excellent work – here is a link to their Facebook and Just Giving page – any donations will be gratefully received.
We continue to be blown away by the kindness and generosity from our patients and local community during this pandemic crisis. Your gifts, the biscuits, chocolates, flowers and kind words mean a lot to us and we are very grateful for them and enjoy them – a lot!
We would like to thank, in particular, the very delectable Easter eggs kindly given to us by Waitrose which our staff enjoyed over the weekend, the hand creams donated to us by Body Shop, which have come in very handy because of all the hand-washing and hand-gel used, and the flowers from Tesco.
Please accept our gratitude for all the kind gifts our patients have given us – all of which help us to get through the working day.
As you know much of the routine practice and procedures has been pushed back so that focus can be placed on the Coronavirus pandemic. However, our doctors and staff are also working hard to ensure that our patients can still reach out to them for urgent issues whilst still ensuring repeat medication requests are fulfilled.
Together we CAN get through this.
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We would like to thank all our patients for their support during the pandemic crisis. Thank you for your gifts and kindness and support in general. It is a difficult time but by working together we can beat this virus.
Please continue to adhere to the Government guidelines over the Easter weekend. We would like to wish you all well over Easter – be safe and enjoy the weekend – at home.
March 2020
We now have a page dedicated to the Coronavirus and its affect on Towcester Medical Centre – please click here to view the page and its information.
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For information on what you should or should not contact your surgery for during the Coronavirus update – follow this link to our Appointments page.
From Tuesday the 31st of March there are changes to the Blood Taking Unit at NGH. In order to keep patients safe at this time we are redirecting parts of this service to The Three Shires Hospital.
If you require a blood test you will need to contact the hospital to make an appointment on these numbers (amended numbers as notified by NGH on 31/3/20:
01604 885022
01604 885027
Three Shires will offer appointments Monday to Friday during the following times:
Monday -Friday 9am – 12:30pm and 13:30pm – 17:00pm
If you are a patient of our Maternity Unit they will make arrangements for you to have your bloods taken and you do not need to attend the Three Shires.
If your child requires a blood test the Blood Taking Unit t NGH will be open on Mondays from 10am-11am for paediatric patients only.
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Kettering General Hospital
Notification received from Kettering General Hospital that all Andrology services (post vasectomy and infertility) have been suspended during the Coronavirus outbreak. Patients will be contacted and advised.
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Woodside Centre
If you use the Woodside Centre – please note this is closed until further notice. If you have a query or need hearing aid batteries please email [email protected]
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Fax machines
Our fax machines are being phased out and will no longer be in operation after 31 March 2020. Instead please email to [email protected]
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Medical Notes in light of Coronavirus – 17 March 2020
By law, medical evidence is not required for the first 7 days of sickness. After 7 days, it is for the employer to determine what evidence they require, if any, from the employee. This does not need to be fit note (Med 3 form) issued by a GP or other doctor.
“Your employee will be advised to isolate themselves and not to work in contact with other people by NHS 111 or PHE if they are a carrier of, or have been in contact with, an infectious or contagious disease, such as COVID-19.
“We strongly suggest that employers use their discretion around the need for medical evidence for a period of absence where an employee is advised to stay at home due to suspected COVID-19, in accordance with the public health advice being issued by the government.
CORONAVIRUS UPDATE – 17 March 2020
To all our patients from all of us at Towcester Medical Centre.
We are now all entering an extraordinary time and we wanted to update you on how this will affect us and our patients.
Following yesterday’s public health advice, we now have 4 out of 6 GPs in self-isolation. We are trying to set-up home working and access to medical records as fast as possible. However, until these systems are in place we are having to drastically scale back our normal services.
We will endeavour to continue to provide some routine care (e.g. immunisations, maternity care and some blood tests) but the majority of other appointments (e.g. routine blood pressure/ diabetes checks, medication reviews) will be paused.
Our priority will be to deal with all the other urgent, non-coronavirus related medical problems that will still continue. Most of these consultations will be by telephone and we will try to reduce the need to visit us at the medical centres in Towcester and Paulerspury.
We have had to close our doors to reduce traffic into the buildings. We would encourage you to only phone the practice for urgent matters or make use of our online consultation service (see the orange ‘Talk to us online’ button above).
It is likely this situation will continue for many, many months. Please bear with us whilst we try to provide as much of a service as possible. We will update this website with more details when available.
Best wishes to all,
The team at Towcester Medical Centre
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CORONAVIRUS UPDATE 16 March 2020
Please follow government and NHS advice and self isolate if you have any symptoms such as a new, dry, persistent cough and/or a raised temperature for at least 7 days.
Please note that Towcester Medical Centre is only taking future GP appointments as telephone appointments – although the GP has some slots that they can arrange for you to come to the surgery if necessary.
Towcester Medical Centre still has a triage doctor morning and afternoon, for any urgent concerns, other than symptoms of the Coronavirus, and they really cannot wait for a routine telephone appointment, please ask for an urgent same day telephone consultation.
We would like to thank all our patients for their co-operation during this ongoing national crisis.
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Hearing Aid Maintenance Clinics – cancelled.
We had some clinics planned in for some Wednesdays for hearing aid maintenance. However, due to unforeseen circumstances – future clinics in 2020 have now been cancelled – Apologies for any inconvenience.
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Phones
Our phones were down for planned maintenance for approximately 30 minutes on Tuesday, 10th March 2020. All our phone lines are now working normally and we thank you for your patience.
February 2020
New members of staff
We welcome two new members of staff performing administration and reception duties – Cheryl and Kerry – they will be a valuable addition to our team but we would ask for your patience whilst our new members learn their roles.
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CORONAVIRUS UPDATE
The NHS and Public Health England (PHE) are extremely well prepared for outbreaks of new infectious diseases. The current risk to the general public is moderate.
You can help too.
Germs can live on some surfaces for hours. To protect yourself and others:
Always carry tissues with you and use them to catch your cough or sneeze.
Bin the tissue, and to kill the germs, wash your hands with soap and water, or use a sanitiser gel.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
Avoid close contact with people who are unwell.
If you have arrived back from an affected area within the last 14 days and develop symptoms of cough or fever or shortness of breath, you should immediately:
Stay indoors and avoid contact with other people as you would with the flu
Call NHS 111 to inform them of your recent travel to the country
This is the best way to slow the spread of almost any germs, including Coronavirus.
More information, including a list of the affected areas is available by logging onto gov.uk/coronavirus
CORONAVIRUS NEWS…
Patients who have travelled from mainland China or think may have been in contact with the virus and have symptoms telephone 111. Please feel free to call us for advice but please do NOT attend the surgery.
Patients who have recently travelled from Wuhan should contact 111 even if they have no symptoms.
January 2020
Jobs news at Towcester Medical Centre
We have a vacancy for a Receptionist/Administrator – for more details see our Job Opportunities page via this link. As at 17 February 2020 this post has been filled.
December 2019
SCAM…
Don’t be fooled by a scam – phone calls requesting a meeting to discuss your medication and followed up by another phone call promising to deliver your medication but with a demand for a charge for the medication over the phone is a SCAM. If you are in any doubt, it probably is a scam. If you think you may have been targeted you can report any concerns or suspicions you have about fraud or corruption within the NHS or wider health group to the NHS Counter Fraud Authority by calling our FREE 24hr confidential fraud reporting hotline powered by Crimestoppers on 0800 028 4060. You can also make a report to the NHSCFA using our online NHS fraud reporting tool.
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Let’s get Moving! (replaces ‘Get up and Go’)
…is an exercise class specifically designed for those aged 55+ to help prevent falls and increase balance and strength. It consists of a 24 week programme and there are a range of classes/venues available near you – to view the dates, times and venues please follow this link – Let’s get Moving
November 2019
Hi everyone – want to lose weight? Do you have a BMI of 28 or more? You may be eligible for a free weight loss programme with a local service. Go to our Free Local Services page to follow the link and find out more…
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FLU – flu vaccination ongoing – contact Reception to book.
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The Doctors and Staff from Towcester Medical Centre completed the Park Run on Saturday, 9 November 2019 at Watermeadows in Towcester.
Park Run is on every Saturday at 9.00am at Watermeadows (beyond the back of The Forum).
You can walk or run, bring the children, bring the dog – you can also volunteer to help on the day as a course marshall or timer. To find out more and to register to attend please follow this link to the Park Run website –Park Run
It’s free to attend, lots of fun and you get to meet new people and socialise.But please remember to register first on the website. We’d love to see you there!
October 2019
Flu season in full swing – thank you to those already booked in – we still have spaces available on our clinics – next one due Wednesday 13 November – places still available to book. We also have another flu clinic at Paulerspury 28 November – contact Reception to book.
If you miss those days – don’t worry – you can still book in – we will have more flu clinics or you can see our nurse or drop in when it is convenient and we will always try to fit you in.
Be aware that flu jabs are FREE at the NHS to those who are eligible – the NHS will NEVER ask for payment over the phone – never give your bank details out to pay for a flu jab…
You can report any concerns or suspicions you have about fraud or corruption within the NHS or wider health group to the NHS Counter Fraud Authority by calling our FREE 24hr confidential fraud reporting hotline powered by Crimestoppers on 0800 028 4060. You can also make a report to the NHSCFA using our online NHS fraud reporting tool.
September 2019
Flu season is now upon us. Flu vaccines for patients who are eligible have been received.
Towcester Medical Centre pre-order flu vaccines for all patients on their register who are eligible for a free flu vaccine – so make sure you book your flu jab here as we will already have ordered your flu jab! Even though your local pharmacies and possibly work-places all offer access to a flu vaccine – we will already have ordered yours here. Please support your local doctor’s surgery and have your flu jab here.
There are three types of vaccines:
Fluad (a triple vaccine) for over 65 year olds
Quad (quadruple vaccine) for under 65 year olds
Fluenz (a nasal spray) for children up to 17 years old
Who’s Eligible? Are you over 65 years old, are a carer, do you suffer from a chronic disease, are diabetic, asthmatic or suffer with liver disease? Then you may be at risk and eligible for a flu vaccine. Children of school age are offered the flu vaccine through the school programme. Children of pre-school age may be eligible for a vaccine at the surgery.
Clinics are available for you to book your flu jab. Places will fill up fast so contact Reception for more details. However, if the following dates are not convenient – contact us anyway – we will be able to accommodate you.
The next flu clinics are:
Thursday 17 October 2019
Thursday 31 October 2019
Contact Reception on 01327 359953 to book an appointment.
August 2019
Towcester Medical Centre are pleased to introduce our new Receptionists – Rose, Wendy, Emelie, Tierany, Susan and our new Apprentice Carla. Between them they have a wealth of experience and knowledge which they bring to the practice. I hope you will join us in welcoming them to the team and cut them some slack whilst they settle in and learn their new roles!
July 2019
Be Self Care Aware!
Prescribing of medicines to treat minor illnesses is changing – medicines which are available to buy will no longer be routinely prescribed for certain common conditions – NHS England have released the below information. Contact Reception if you have any queries.
June 2019
We’d like to thank all our staff, patients and friends who came out last Saturday morning for Park Run at Watermeadows in Towcester.
We hope everyone had fun and that we see you again on another Park Run soon. Click here to follow link for the Park Run website and find a parkrun near you!
Some pics of us lot
Us lot before…
Us lot after
May 2019
OVER 50s COMMUNITY EVENT TUESDAY 21st MAY
CARERS CHAMPION
From January 2020 our Carers Champion has changed to Zena Spink – please contact Reception for more information or to get in contact with Zena.
April 2019
We thought we’d mark the 30 Year Anniversary of the opening of our building with cake
Mmm lovely delicious cake – like we need an excuse to eat cake !!
Receptionist / Administrator
We have an opportunity through retirement to join our dedicated and supportive team of receptionists/ administrators.
The role is busy, varied, and sometimes challenging. Some of the key tasks include answering the telephone and making appointments.
You will deal with patient inquiries both face to face and over the telephone, as well as process prescriptions and deal with various administrative tasks.
No two days are the same, and we have the opportunity to make a difference to the patients in our care.
The successful candidate will be able to work flexibly between 8:00 to 18:30 Monday to Friday at both our Towcester and Paulerspury sites.
We will consider either part time or full time applicants.
Towcester Medical Centre is proud to be a #parkrunpractice
Join us for Park Run When: EVERY SATURDAY MORNING Where: WATERMEADOWS in TOWCESTER Time: 09:00
January 2019
NORTHAMPTONSHIRE HEARING ADVISORY SERVICE are holding a monthly drop in clinic at TOWCESTER MEDICAL CENTRE throughout the year helping people who have NHS HEARING AIDS with issues like maintenance, cleaning, batteries etc.
Dates, Times & Details Below
Dates and times for future drop in services available by putting hearing aid maintenance into the search box on home page.
We’d like to wish all our patients, friends & supporters a HAPPY & HEALTHY 2019
December 2018
FLU CLINIC on Thursday 20th December BOOK IN NOW if you are eligible
November 2018
We’d like to thank all our patients, friends and staff who came along, baked cakes, gave their time and made donations to the:
Towcester Medical Centre MacMillan Coffee Morning
Together we raised £172.30 for this worthy cause
We think you’re great !!
We bid farewell to Practice Nurse Alison Elliott who has been with us for many years. We’ll miss her loads.
October 2018
If you want to opt out of your data being used for NHS planning and research you can do so by clicking here Your NHS Data Matters
We have a vacancy for a Part Time Practice Nurse(20 hours per week)
The role will is within our successful and friendly practice in the market town of Towcester. We are looking for a qualified practice nurse with relevant experience and qualifications in COPD and asthma.
Applications are invited from prescribers and non-prescribers and salary is commensurate accordingly. Please submit a CV to the Practice Manager at Towcester Medical Centre. Link Way, Towcester, NN12 6HH or email to [email protected]
Prospective applicants are very welcome to come for an informal visit to meet the team.
September 2018
We will be CLOSED on Wednesday 12th September from 12:30 – for staff training. For emergencies during this time call NHS Out of Hours on 111. We open again at 8:00 on Thursday 13th September.
Information about 2018 / 19 FLU VACCINATIONS
This year there areDIFFERENT TYPESof Flu Vaccine available
As your GP Surgery we know which category you fall into and therefore which flu vaccine you need.
If you are eligible for a FLU VACCINATION book an appointment to have one with us.
August 2018
We have TWO NEW REGISTRARS
Towcester Medical Centre welcomes our new GP registrars Dr Ayo OlihaandDrReaz Popy who join us for a four month placement.
Dr Ayo Oliha
Dr Reaz Popy
June 2018
SELF CARE the first step to saving the NHS
Self Care the First Step…
This month we’re launching a new initiative to encourage patients to think about the cost of the medicines we prescribe and to ask whether they are willing to buy cheap medications that are readily available in pharmacies, high street shops and supermarkets rather than asking for a prescription. For more click here: Self Care The First Step to Saving the NHS
We’re just a CLICK away!
We’re piloting a new on-line communications system where patients can contact us using a smart device or PC. For more information click on the link:
As you will undoubtedly have heard there are new rules coming into effect to regulate how organisations who hold data about people manage this information. This includes us. For more information about this click on the link below:
We have be piloting a new way of carrying out annual and interim reviews for our patients who have Type 2 Diabetes. We are now offering people the opportunity to attend a Shared Diabetes Clinic in groups of 6 – 10. It’s a longer session going into greater depth and giving people the chance to ask more questions and share their experiences of managing the condition. Click on the link below for more details:
We are delighted to welcome Radhika Ruparelia to the Towcester Medical Centre team.
Radhika is a Clinical Pharmacist who will be working with us two days a week (Tuesdays & Thursdays) dealing with all medication queries and minor illnesses. She will be holding clinics and talking to patients over the phone for things like medication reviews and changes to medications following hospital visits etc.
April 2018
HERE NOW M-Jog Messenger App
The M-Jog Messenger App is a free, quick and simple two way communication service which enables patients to have secure and confidential access to notifications and services from the their GP practice.
Towcester Medical Centre has made the M-Jog Messenger App available for patients. To get more information and to download the app click here http://www.mjog.com/messenger
So Long and thanks for the lovely cake – yum!
This week we say a fond farewell to Mary Bates our long serving phlebotomist who retires this week. We wish her a long and happy retirement.
We have a NEW REGISTRAR
Towcester Medical Centre welcomes our new GP registrar Dr Saba Almasudiwho joins us for a four month placement.
February 2018
We’re happy to announce that as of next week we will be working with the University of Cambridge to train doctors of the future
In November 2017 Towcester Medical Centre was recognised for the work it does helping and supporting our carers and cared for patients.
Northamptonshire Carers, in partnership with Northamptonshire County Council and Nene CCG have awarded us with:
Bronze & Silver Investors in Carers Accreditation
Much of our success in this area is down to the hard work and dedication of our staff in supporting carers and in particular Della our Carer’s Champion who meets with carers regularly and offers support, advice and direction to other services where needed.
We were given our certificates last week and these are now proudly displayed in our waiting area but, just because we can, we thought we post a photograph of them and the lovely Della on our website too!
January 2018
Cervical Screening Saves Lives
Women over the age of 25 are invited to have a cervical screening test every three years. It can detect early signs of abnormal cells in the cervix allowing treatment to commence. As with many illnesses the earlier it is detected the more effective treatment can be. If you are due a smear test don’t put it off. It’s a quick and simple procedure that our nurses do here at the surgery. There’s no need to be embarrassed or worried about it. If you have any concerns the nurse will discuss these with you before the procedure. For further information see NHS UK Cervical Screening
During the week of the 5th – 9th February PAULERSPURY SURGERY is being redecorated and having new flooring
We will have to close for part of this time so all surgeries that week will be held at TOWCESTER MEDICAL CENTRE
Paulerspury Surgery will be open between 8:00 & 12:oo on the following days for COLLECTION OF PRESCRIPTIONS ONLY
Tuesday 6th February Wednesday 7th February Friday 9th February
PLEASE ORDER & COLLECT YOUR MEDICATION IN PLENTY OF TIME
Prescriptions due for collection on Monday 5th February will be available for collection on Friday 2nd February
We apologise for any inconvenience
We will be CLOSED on Wednesday 17th January from 12:30 – for emergencies during this time call NHS Out of Hours on 111. We open again at 8:00 on Thursday 18th January.
TADD is the Towcester area’s volunteer transport service helping local people get to and from their health related appointments.
Additional volunteer drivers are needed for both regular and ad hoc bookings on order to maintain TADD’s level of service.
Whether you can spare an hour or so Once A Week Once A Fortnight or A Couple Of Times A Month there are always bookings to suit your availability.
Volunteers use their own cars and are paid mileage costs.
Need help with Patient Access? On WEDNESDAY 31st JANUARY Mel Smith from our Patient Particiption Group will be at Towcester Medical Centre between 14:00 – 16:00 offering help to any of our patients who’d like to set up aPatient Access Account to book appointments and order repeat prescriptions on line. Come in with your mobile device and get yourself set up.
HAPPY NEW YEAR! If you’ve made a resolution to drop a few extra pounds we’re helping with our Eat Wise and Drop a Size campaign – click here for more: Eat Wise and Drop a Size
HAPPY NEW YEAR! If you’ve made a resolution to give up smoking we’re helping with our Want to Quit Now? Ask Us How campaign – click here for more: Want To Quit Now? Ask Us How
December 2017
We’d like to wish all our patients, friends, colleagues & supporters a very
MERRY CHRISTMAS
and
A HAPPY & HEALTHY NEW YEAR
Please join us in welcoming our new registrar Dr Ana Akusu who joins us for an initial period of four months from December 2017 to April 2018 as a GP registrar.
Towcester Medical Centre will be CLOSED on Weds 6th December from 12:30. Open again on Thursday morning. For emergencies during this time call the NHS out of hours service on 111.
November 2017
University of Buckingham – Chronic Medical Conditions Study
We’re working with the University of Buckingham to help medical students understand the impact of a chronic medical condition on a patient’s life. We’re looking for patients living with a long term condition who would be willing to talk to a medical student about how their condition impacts on their life and allow the student to remain in contact over the next 18 months to follow their story. At the end of this time the student will write an essay on life for you with your condition. The essay will be fully anonymised so there will be no identifiable connection to the patient within it. The student will have absolutely no medical involvement with the patient and will not have access to any patient notes. They will be subject to the GMC rules on confidentiality so would not be able to discuss your case with any other person in any way which would identify you. They will be supervised by their university tutors and our own lead GP, Dr Omar Abdalwhab.
If you feel you might be able to help with this study please contact Practice Manager, Karen Wheeler by email: [email protected]
Role: Part-Time Dispenser / Receptionist Hours: 19 hrs per week Location: Towcester Medical Centre and Paulerspury BranchSurgery Qualifications: NVQ Level 2 Dispensing
If you are interested in applying for this role please contact Karen Wheeler, Practice Manager on 01327 359953 or via e-mail on [email protected]
It has come to our attention that patients are experiencing a problem when trying to set up their patient Access Account.
As we understand it when a patient gets their log-in and password for Patient Access from the surgery and they go the Patient Access web-site they are also asked to enter their NI number. On entering this information their account is then locked so they can not process to get access to the system.
We have logged a call with the service provider who are aware of the problem and are looking into it. In the mean time we have been told to advise patients trying to log into Patient Access for the first time not to enter their NI number.
We will provide an update on this issue when we have further information.
Towcester Medical Centre will be CLOSED from 12:30 today for staff training. Opening again at 8:00 on Thursday 9th. Any emergencies during this time should be directed to the NHS Out of Hours Service by calling 111.
October 2017
Need help with Patient Access? On TUESDAY 7th NOVEMBER Mel Smith from our Patient Particiption Group will be at Towcester Medical Centre between 13:00 – 16:00 offering help to any of our patients who’d like to set up aPatient Access Account to book appointments and order repeat prescriptions on line. Just pop in with your mobile device and get yourself set up.
Worried that your partner could be abusive? Call the Northamptonshire Domestic Abuse Service on 0300 0120154
Our local advisor is Chelsie Rimmer. She can be contacted via e-mail: [email protected]or via telephone 07977 224608
She will be holding a session at Towcester Medical Centre every Wednesday mornings for anyone with any concerns relating to domestic abuse.
Towcester Medical Centre will be closed from 12:30 on Wednesday 11 October for training. We re-open again at 8:00 on Thurs morning. Any emergencies during this time should be directed to the NHS out of hours service on 111.
THANK YOU TO EVERYONE who helped make our MacMillan Coffee Morning a success. Together we raised £213.35
September 2017
Following the success of last years event, we’re holding another Coffee Morning in aid of MacMillan Cancer Care. Join us at Towcester Medical Centre for a cup of coffee a piece of cake and a chat with our lovely staff on
Saturday 30th September 9:00 – 12:00 EVERYONE WELCOME !
We hope to raise lots of money for this worthy cause. There will also be a flu clinic on that morning so if you are in one of the eligible groups you can also get your flu jab while you are there.
We’re now booking eligible patients for their flu vaccine. Book yours now. For more information about eligibility and clinic dates click on the link Fight the Flu
August 2017
Please join us in welcoming Dr Abiola Osuntogun who joins us for four months.
We also say au revoir to Dr Irene Edem-Darty who has completed her initial 4 month training period with and look forward to her coming back to us for a longer placement in the future.
We say goodbye to Dr Desmond Fometuwho has successfully completed his GP training with us. We wish him all the best at his new surgery where he takes up a permanent post.
July 2017
We say a fond farewell Dr Nick Ward. He will be missed by staff and patients alike and we all wish him and his family the very best for the future. Towcester Medical Centre will not be the same without him.
June 2017
In order to help people who need an early appointment for a blood test, we’ve brought forward the start time of the Phlebotomy Clinic on Thursday mornings at Towcester Medical Centre to 07:30. The surgery and the phone lines will not be operational until 08:00 as usual.
Towcester Medical Centre will be closed from 12:30 on Wednesday 14 June for staff training. We re-open again at 8:00 on Thursday morning. Any emergencies during the time we are closed should be directed to the NHS out of hours service by calling 111.
We have updated information on the MEN ACWY Vaccination which is available now for certain age groups. To see more click on the link: Meningitis ACWY Vaccination
May 2017
After 27 years Dr Nick Ward will be leaving us at the end of June to move on to pastures new. There are memory books at the reception desks at both Towcester Medical Centre and Paulerspury Surgery for patients who wish to write a message to say cheerio and to wish him well.
As of 12:55 on Monday 15th May Towcester Medical Centre has access to computer systems and is now operating as normal. We would like to thank everyone for their patience while we have been dealing with the NHS Computer Virus.
If there any further updates we will provide these on this web-site and on our social media pages.
Monday 15th May Towcester Medical Centre has not been directly affected by the NHS computer virus but we do not currently have access to our systems. We ask that you ONLY CONTACT THE SURGERY IN AN EMERGENCYuntil further notice. If you have a pre-booked appointment please still come in for this.
We will provide updates on this web-site and on our social media pages.
We will be CLOSED for staff training from 12:30 on Wednesday 10th May. We re-open at 8am on Thursday 11th. Any emergencies during this time should be directed to the NHS out of ours service by calling 111.
Please join us in welcoming our new registrar Dr Irene Edem-Darty who joins our practice for an initial period of four months
It’s the time of year when people start thinking about the summer and where they might go for their holidays. Click here for Information for Travellers
The daffodils are coming out which means as well as Spring being on it’s way it’s also Marie Curie Month. We’re celebrating the vital work Marie Curie do and helping to raise funds during the month of March.
On behalf of staff & patients we’d like to express our gratitude to Sponne School for allowing us to borrow and exhibit art work produced by their students.
As well as being an important link to our community & local school that we value greatly, it is privilege to display these remarkable paintings at the medical centre.
The quality of work produced by the Art Department at Sponne School is outstanding & we frequently receive complimentary comments & feedback about it.
We’d like to thank the art teachers and students for helping to enhance the surgery & giving pleasure to the many people who come here every day.
December 2016
We wish all our patients and friends a very
AND A HAPPY & HEALTHY NEW YEAR
Local Pharmacy Opening Times
For details of holiday closures and opening times of local pharmacies during the holiday period please click on the attached link
BIG THANKS For the help with on perfecting the Christmas tree from the boy with the bad foot who came in to the surgery today while the decorations were going up. Pointing at gaps on the tree where more baubles were needed with your stick was pure genius. You are our little star!
Continuing with our current focus on WELLBEING if you click on the link attached you will find a personal Well Being Action Plan. It gives ideas about things that you can do to help yourself feel better and stay well and is an aid to developing a personal strategy for your well being. Being Well – My Action Plan
November 2016
CONCERNED ABOUT YOUR WELLBEING OR THAT OF OTHERS?
FIRST FOR WELLBEING can help with issues like Weight Management, Emotional Wellbeing, Financial Support, Social Inclusion, Smoking, Alcohol, Housing Support, Employment, Adult Learning and more.
Pick up one of their leaflets in reception or visit their website on First For Wellbeing
They also have a POP-UP CLINIC every FRIDAY 9:30 to 12:30 at TOWCESTER LIBRARY on MOAT LANE. You don’t need an appointment or a referral – just turn up.
Towcester Medical Centre will be CLOSED on the afternoon of Wednesday 9th November for staff training. For emergencies during this time please call 111. We open again at 8am on Thursday 10th November.
October 2016
OVER THE 2016 CHRISTMAS PERIOD, IN ADDITION TO THE BANK HOLIDAYS, PAULERSPURY SURGERY WILL ALSO CLOSE AT 12:00 ON THE FOLLOWING TWO DAYS: « FRIDAY 23rd DECEMBER » and « FRIDAY 30th DECEMBER »
Full details of the opening and closing times of both surgeries over the holiday period will be published nearer the time.
Together we’ve raised £255 for MacMillan Cancer Care
A big THANK YOU to all the people who came to our MacMillan Coffee Morning on Saturday!
September 2016
CHILDREN’S FLU NASAL SPRAY is arriving in surgery next week. Please call and book your child in for an appointment with the nurse. For further information and eligibility click here: Children’s Flu Nasal Spray
We’re having a Coffee Morning in aid of MACMILLAN CANCER SUPPORT
SATURDAY 1st OCTOBER TOWCESTER MEDICAL CENTRE 9:30 – 11:30
Everyone welcome – please come along and support this great cause!
DO YOU WANT A SAY IN HOW YOUR GP SURGERY OPERATES CALLING FOR FOR NEW PPG MEMBERS !!
The Towcester Medical Centre Patient Participation Group (PPG) are looking for NEW MEMBERS. If you would like to play a part in helping make decisions about how the practice works then please get in touch. For more information about the PPG and how to get involved go to Patient Participation Group
2016 FLU JABS are now available. If you are eligible please drop in or book your appointment now. You can also book an appointment on-line – for more info click here 2016 Flu Jabs
Towcester Medical Centre will be CLOSED on the afternoon of Weds 14th Sept for staff training. We will be open again at 8am on Thurs 15th Sept.
August 2016
We are delighted to announce that Dr Simon Ellis, who has been a registrar with us for the last 12 months now joins us permanently here at Towcester Medical Centre as a GP Partner.
Two new locum GPs join us. Dr Erasha Amarasinghe and Dr Anna Wake. Click here to take a look at Locum Support
Towcester Medical Centre welcomes two new registrars Dr Desmond Fometu who will be with us for 12 months and Dr Phianh Randall who will be with us for four months
July 2016
If you are travelling abroad this summer, you may need to be vaccinated against some of the infectious diseases that are found in other parts of the world. Please click on the link here to find out about Travel Vaccinations
During the month of July we are running a ‘Sun Safety’ campaign just in case the sun does ever come out here or for those who are lucky enough to be going on holiday somewhere warm. Keep an eye on the web-site and in the surgery for information about how to protect your skin from the effects of the sun.
June 2016
20th – 26th June is Learning Disabilities Awareness Week.
During this week at Towcester Medical Centre we are aiming to raise awareness of the difficulties people who have learning disabilities face with everyday activities. Look out for leaflets and information in the surgery.
Our carers event on June 8th was a great success. Thank you to everyone who came along to meet Della and Lynne, we hope you found it helpful. If you couldn’t make it but you are a carer needing support or information don’t forget, you can contact Della at Towcester Medical Centre at any time.
Towcester Medical Centre will be CLOSED on the afternoon of Wednesday 8th June for staff training, re-opening again at 8am on Thursday 9th June. For emergencies call 111.
Carers Week is 6 – 12 June 2016
Della, Carers Champion
Della, our Carers Champion is holding an event for carers on Wednesday 8th July between 10:00 & 12:00. If you are a carer please pop in to meet Della and get information about things like health, benefits, entitlements, mobility grants, holidays, days out, respite care and other services.
May 2016
The Towcester Medical Centre Patient Participation Group PPG are looking for NEW MEMBERS. For more information go to Patient Participation Group
Towcester Medical Centre will be CLOSED on the afternoon of Wednesday 10th May for staff training, re-opening again at 8am on Thursday 11th May. For emergencies call 111.
April 2016
Towcester Medical Centre says a fond farewell to Dr Vicky Beedham who after a decade of loyal service moves on to pastures new. We wish Vicky the best of luck in her new role and thank her for her hard work and dedication over the years.
Towcester Medical Centre will be CLOSED on the afternoon of Wednesday 13th April for staff training, re-opening again at 8am on Thursday 14th April. For emergencies call 111.
We recently had our Care Quality Commission inspection visit and we’re very proud to say that Towcester Medical Centre has been assessed as being GOOD in all areas. The inspection report has now been published – click here to see the report CQC Report
Follow the link at the top for more information about the benefits of quitting smoking and how we can help you do this.
Towcester Medical Centre will be CLOSED on the afternoon of Wednesday 9th March for staff training, re-opening again at 8am on Thursday 10th March. For emergencies call 111.
February 2016
Did you know that we’re one of only three approved centres in the area for TAXI DRIVER MEDICALS. Click for more Taxi Driver Medicals
We’ve added some information about End of Life Care and support for carers on our web site. Take a look End of Life Care
If you want to know how where to go to get the right treatment click on the link for information about help, advice and services you can access without needing to wait to see a GP. Get the right treatment
Public Health England is running a national ‘blood in pee’ campaign from 15 February to 31 March 2016 to help raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of bladder and kidney cancer. Click here for more Be Clear On Cancer
The Zika Virus outbreak is in the news. We’ve uploaded information about Zika Virus on our Web-Site and links to the Foreign Office Travel Advice Site and the World Health Organisation Site on our Travel Immunisations Page. To see this information click here Zika Virus
January 2016
We’ve updated the information on this site to help patients understand how our emergency appointments system works. We hope you find it helpful. Click here
We will be CLOSED for staff training from 12:30 on WEDNESDAY 20TH JANUARY, reopening on Thur 21 Jan at 8:00. For emergencies call 111.
Helen Blaby from BBC Radio Northamptonwill be at Towcester Centre for Leisure on Monday 11th January between 11:00 and 15:00 talking about all matters relating to health and well being. If you want to have your BMI measured, take part in a sports taster session, get a mole looked out or check out any of the other fitness and health stuff going on pop down and say hello.
For full list of Free Local Services providing help and support to people in NorthamptonshireClick Here
We want 2016 to be both a happy and HEALTHY new year for everyone so we’re introducing two New Year Campaigns to help our patients stay well.
EAT WISE DROP A SIZE
Eat Wise Drop a Size is for patients who want to try and lose some of the extra weight they might be carrying to help reduce BMI and improve fitness and health in general – click here for more…
WANT TO QUIT NOW – ASK US HOW
Want to Quit Now – Ask Us How is for patients who have decided that they want to give up smoking and feel the benefits of a smoke free life – click here for more…
Towcester Medical Centre would like to wish all our patients a very happy new year!
December 2015
University of Buckingham – Chronic Medical Conditions Study
We’re currently working with the University of Buckingham to help medical students understand the impact of a chronic medical condition on a patient’s life. We’re looking for patients living with a long term condition who would be willing to talk to a medical student about how their condition impacts on their life and allow the student to remain in contact over the next 18 months to follow their story. At the end of this time the student will write an essay on life for you with your condition. The essay will be fully anonymised so there will be no identifiable connection to the patient within it. The student will have absolutely no medical involvement with the patient and will not have access to any patient notes. They will be subject to the GMC rules on confidentiality so would not be able to discuss your case with any other person in any way which would identify you. They will be supervised by their university tutors and our own lead GP, Dr Omar Abdalwhab.
If you feel you might be able to help with this study please contact Practice Manager, Karen Wheeler by email: [email protected]
Paulerspury Surgery will close at 12:30 Thursday 31st December 2015.
Staff Training Closure Wednesday 9th December – Towcester Medical Centre will be closed from 12:30 on 9.12.2015 for staff training. Back again on Thursday 10th at 8:00 as normal.
MORE FLU CLINICS – If you are eligible but have yet to have your flu jab please book into one of the following:
Towcester Surgery: Tuesday 3rd November & Thursday 5th November
Paulerspury Surgery: Wednesday 18th November
LOST PROPERTY a Kindle was left behind in reception some months ago. If it’s yours please contact the surgery with a description and password so we can reunite you with it.
WE WANT TO KNOW HOW YOU FEEL You can tell us about your experience of using our services via our on-line Friends and Family Test. Click on the link for more information and to give us your feedback Friends and Family Test
We’d like to say a big THANK YOU to the Towcester Rotary Club for their very generous donation which has enabled us to buy a second Spiro-meter. This additional machine will allow us to diagnose and treat patients with lung conditions.
FLU VACCINE FOR CHILDREN – We now have this years stock of the nasal spray flu vaccine for children. The Flu Vaccine is given by the NHS to:
healthy children aged two, three and four years old plus children in school years one and two
children aged two to 17 years with long term health conditions for whom flu is a particular risk
Children in year 1 and 2 will receive the flu vaccine at their school. If your child is eligible for the flu vaccine and is not receiving it at school please book them an appointment with one of our nurses.
Falls – we have updated our Self Help section with some information and a patient leaflet about falls and how they can be prevented. Take a look by clicking on the link.
To get Direct News Updates, Notifications and General Information follow our Social Media:
How To Get The Most Out Of A GP Appointment. We’ve added some guidance on how to prepare for an appointment with the GP on our Appointments Page – please take a look.
If you want to know more about Alcohol and Health and understand the metrics we use to identify higher risk drinking levels you’ll find further details on our Alcohol Informationpage.
Vitamin D Information we’ve added a section about new recommendations relating to Vitamin D and taking supplements see Self Help – Vitamin D.
Parking Near The Surgery – A polite request had been received from one or two of the neighbours of Towcester Medical Centre. When you are visiting the surgery, if there’s no room in the car park and you need to park on the roads around the surgery, please ensure you are not blocking access to the houses. Many thanks!
Patients and users of our services, don’t forget to TELL US HOW YOU FEEL – your feedback on any aspect of the service we provide is really helpful in enabling us to make changes and improvements. It’s also good to hear about the stuff you think we do well so that we can make sure we do more of that. Please go to Friends and Family Questionnaireto give your feedback. NB – all feedback is confidential.
CONGRATULATIONS to our colleagues Jackie Lewis and Nick Ward who have been with the practice for 30 and 25 years respectively. We would all like to say a BIG THANK YOU for all their commitment, hard work and dedication.
CHILDREN’S FLU VACCINATION – we will be receiving the children’s nasal spray flu vaccination in October. We will notify via this web-site and our social media when children’s flu vaccinations are available.
FLU VACCINES This years flu vaccine is arriving in surgery next week. There are numerous flu clinics on during September and October so if you are eligible for a flu vaccination please call and book your appointment asap! Click here to for more information about our flu clinics Flu Vaccinations. For further details about NHS vaccination programmes click on the following link NHS Vaccination Schedule.
August 2015
TELL US HOW YOU FEEL You can now give feedback on your experience of our services using our on-line Friends and Family Test. Click here for more information and to give us your feedback Friends and Family Test
Towcester Medical Centre welcomes Dr Sehar Ali, Dr Khatuna Chantladze and Dr Simon Ellis who join us for a year.
Towcester Medical Centre says goodbye to Dr Ali Malik and Dr Emy Ojobo. Dr Adeniyi Fetuga will be with us as a locum GP for the next few weeks before he too moves on.
Towcester Medical Centre welcomes two new members of staff Della Hughes and Louise Barnard who join the Support Team working on Reception and Administration.
July 2015
Please note that going forward we need Proof of Identification before being able to Register New Patients. This can be a passport, driving licence or official letter such as a bank statement or utility bill. Without this information we will be unable to process registrations. Those who register on-line will need to bring identification on their first visit to the surgery, once logged this will allow the registration to be fully accepted by the system.
June 2015
Heatwaves can be dangerous, especially for the very young or very old or those with chronic disease. Advice on how to reduce the risk either for yourself or somebody you know can be obtained from NHS Choices at NHS Summer Health, NHS 111 or from your local chemist.
Check out the Self Help page on our web-site – we’ve added a section about Ovarian Cancer and symptoms to look out for. You’ll also find information on many other topics that may be of interest.
Towcester Medical Centre would like to congratulate TADD (Towcester Area Door to Door)on reaching their 25th anniversary and say a BIG THANK YOU for the invaluable service that they provide to local people. For more information about TADD see About My Area – TADD.
Dementia affects nearly 1 million people in the UK. The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) is calling for help with research into this illness. If you are interested in getting involved in Dementia Research please click on the following link NIHR Dementia Research.
SUMMER HOLIDAYS ARE COMING! To check your travel vaccination needs go to Travel Vaccinations & Fees. And remember to organise your vaccinations in good time for your trip. Bon voyage!
Are you a CARER? There is a section on this web-site for carers. To take a look please click on this link-Carers. If you are a carer for someone, please let us know.
April 2015
Lost Property a Kindle has been left in the reception area. If you have lost this please contact the surgery.
Towcester Medical Centre welcomes new members of staff Claire Jackson and Rianna Dartnall who join the Support Team working on Reception and Administration.
Towcester Medical Centre welcomes Dr Emuankhe Ojobo – GP regsistrar who will be working with us for three months.
Hay Fever season is upon us. Check out our Self Help section where we’ve added some information about Hay Fever that we hope you will find useful.
March 2015
Parking Near The Surgery – A polite request had been received from one or two of the neighbours of Towcester Medical Centre. When you are visiting the surgery, if there is no room to park in the car park and you need to park on either Link Way or Swinneyford Road, please ensure you are not blocking access to the houses on these roads. Many thanks!
