Latest News
Independent Review into the access issues at Solihull Healthcare Partnership - Recommendations & Actions (Latest update:17/11/21)
Following the Independent Review into the access issues at Solihull Healthcare Partnership by the NHS Birmingham and Solihull Clinical Commissioning Group (BSOL CCG), a set of recommendations were put in place.
These recommendations, along with an update of the action plan, can be viewed here - Action Plan - Recommendations from the SHP Independent Review - Patient Update 17.11.21
For future updates on the Action Plan, visit this page.
Antibiotic Amnesty
Do you have any unused or old antibiotics at home? We are asking you to return them to any local pharmacy as part of an Antibiotic Amnesty in support World Antibiotic Awareness Week (18-24 November).
Antibiotics are important medicines for treating bacterial infections but the more they are used the more bacteria are able to find ways to survive the antibiotic. This is known as antibiotic resistance and is a huge threat to our future health. Without effective antibiotics many routine treatments will become increasingly dangerous. Setting broken bones, operations and treatments for cancer all rely on access to antibiotics that work.
You should only take antibiotics when they have been prescribed for you by a healthcare professional. Unless your doctor or nurse has specifically told you to, you should never save antibiotics for later, and never share them with others.
You can play your part in protecting antibiotics for the future by returning unused or old antibiotics to any local pharmacy.
Flu Vaccine – Book Yours & Get Protected…
Are you are eligible for a flu vaccine?
Did you know the flu vaccine is being given free on the NHS to:
- all children aged 2 to 4 and 0 months
- adults aged 50 and over (including those who'll be 50 by 31 March 2022)
- those who have certain health conditions
- pregnant women
- those who receive a carer's allowance, or are the main carer for an older or disabled person who may be at risk if you get sick
- those who live with someone who is more likely to get infections (such as someone who has HIV, has had a transplant or is having certain treatments for cancer, lupus or rheumatoid arthritis)
- frontline health or social care workers
We are currently inviting all eligible registered patients for their #flu vaccines via text message and by calling, and are holding flu vaccine clinics this weekend, on Saturday 20th November at our Grove Surgery and Sunday 28th November at The Jacey Practice.
If you are eligible, you can also book your vaccine appointment by calling us on 0121 745 9367, 10am and 4pm, Monday to Friday.
Why not get your flu vaccine this weekend and get protected!
Flu Vaccine – A Reminder to Book Yours…
A Message on behalf of Patient Access:
We have received reports from both Patient Access users and people who have never registered for the service, that they have received Covid passport emails purporting to be from Patient Access.
We advise users of Patient Access to check the name and email address of the sender, all emails from Patient Access will come via an email address that ends in @patientaccess.com. We advise users never to click on any log in links that you receive via email but to visit the site via the address bar of your browser instead so that you know you are on the genuine Patient Access log in page. You can find more information and guidance on our information security page here: https://www.patientaccess.com/security
We strongly advise users to set up their Memorable Word security feature, as well as using biometrics (fingerprint ID) if they use the app.
Email addresses used to register for Patient Access account are secure. We do not share any data and no data is ever saved or stored on any device you use to access Patient Access.
A Message on behalf of Solihull Healthcare Partnership Patient Participation Group (PPG):
Team SHP Wore it Pink & Raised funds for Breast Cancer Now
Did you know…?
SHP are participating in a new approach to improve access for patients to GP appointments. The aim is to direct patients to the most appropriate healthcare professional, which may be a GP or a pharmacist.
If your symptoms could be resolved by a booked consultation with your pharmacist instead of the GP, you will be given a same-day referral to a local pharmacy.
From the 3rd November, SHP is taking part in the Community Pharmacist Consultation Service (CPCS), starting with Astwerwell Pharmacy in Shirley and expanding to more community pharmacies local to our surgery sites.
We think this is a good thing. Once you see how great your local pharmacist is – they are highly trained and skilled clinicians experienced in treating minor illnesses – we don’t think you’ll look back.
This will also help us to free up GP appointments for people with more complex health needs and ensure that everyone gets treated at the right time, by the right healthcare professional.
We are keen to hear what you think and will be listening to your comments and feedback about your experience of using this service.
You can give comments and feedback - Click Here
How to access us and ask for help?
We are still open and here for you. We are continuing to provide services as we have been doing throughout the pandemic, and prioritise delivering care and services based on clinical needs.
If you need medical advice or treatment, please call us on 0121 705 1105 or, for non-urgent advice or treatment, visit our website or one of our surgery sites.
By Phone
You can call us on 0121 705 1105. Our telephone lines are open from 8am to 6:30pm, Monday to Friday (excluding Bank Holidays).
You will be asked to first discuss your condition/s over the phone with a trained Care Navigator to assess the most appropriate way to provide your care, which may include a face-to-face consultation, and ensure it is provided by the most appropriate person.
In person
You are able to access us face-to-face by visiting one of our surgery sites to ask in person about booking an appointment, repeat prescription requests and for general queries.
From Monday 8th November 2021, our sites will be open from 8:30am to 6:30pm, Monday to Friday (excluding Bank Holidays):
- Shirley Medical Centre
- The Jacey Practice
- Haslucks Green Medical Centre
- Grove Surgery
- Monkspath Surgery
- Dickens Heath Medical Centre
This ensures we are able to prioritise our focus on patients being able to access us through our telephone system when the demand is at its highest and support improving patient access for the majority of patients.
All sites will continue to be closed on Wednesdays from 12:30pm to 1:30pm, as part of our ongoing staff training and development, which is a priority to ensure we continue to improve service delivery and patient care. We are also dedicated to continuing to further upskill our Care Navigators with a programme of additional training and development to support our clinicians, and to ensure our patients see the right healthcare professionals at the appropriate time.
Our telephone lines remain open throughout the training and in the event of urgent patient needs, we can still be contacted. There is minimal impact on service delivery and no impact on appointments. This time has been chosen to coincide with the period of the day when our Doctors and healthcare professionals are conducting essential face-to-face appointments with housebound patients.
We continue to have a range of measures in place to keep you safe from COVID-19, including regular cleaning of patient areas and social distancing. Please ensure you wear a face covering when visiting us at one of our sites. If you have a disability or condition which means you cannot wear a face covering or cannot communicate with someone who is wearing a face mask, or require other adjustments before your appointment, please let us know ahead of your arrival.
Individuals with cough, cold or flu like symptoms, COVID-19 symptoms or who meet criteria for self-isolation, should not attend our surgeries and stay at home. You should continue to follow public health guidance and if you have a clinical need your appointment will be by telephone or video, for patient and staff safety.
Please be polite and respectful, our GPs and practice teams are available and working hard to support you, your family and friends health and care needs.
Go online
Online services currently provide patients with access to their medical records, repeat medication ordering and COVID-19 vaccination status. Using the service will help you to manage your own health and access healthcare features whenever you need to.
You can visit our web site, and order repeat prescriptions and access your medical records on the NHS App and Patient Access – To access and find out more visit: https://solihullhealthcarepartnership.nhs.uk/online-services/
Our Online Consult facility is currently unavailable for patient safety online and clinical governance reasons. We are in the process of reviewing our online services to improve patient access and services, and will keep patients updated via our web site and social media.
Did you know?
You can visit your local pharmacy (Find a pharmacy - NHS (www.nhs.uk) for clinical advice on minor health concerns.
And for urgent issues or out of hours, you can also call the NHS on 111 or go online to seek NHS advice 111.nhs.uk (NHS 111 online)
Our staff are continuing to work extremely hard to provide services and care, and we would like to thank our patients for your continued support.
#HelpUsHelpYou
Flu Vaccine Reminder (3/11/21):
We are currently inviting patients aged 18 to 64 who are at risk and clinically extremely vulnerable for their #flu vaccines via text message and by calling.
We are holding flu clinics on the 7th, 13th and 14th November at the Monkspath Surgery Vaccination Centre to help everyone get protected for the winter, so please book your vaccine appointment today.
We are also holding a children’s nasal flu vaccine clinic on Monday 15th November at Haslucks Green Medical Centre.
If you or your child are eligible for a flu vaccine, please contact us to book an appointment by responding to the text message you have been sent or by calling us on 0121 745 9367, 10am and 4pm, Monday to Friday.
Flu nasal vaccine is permissible for children says British Fatwa Council
The British Fatwa Council has concluded that the nasal flu vaccine is permissible for use in children due to its medical benefits, stating that this is for a medical purpose; it’s not consumption or eating.
The nasal flu vaccine is an important preventative measure that has been shown to reduce illness, suffering, reduces A &E admissions and other complications considerably. This then falls under the well-known category of ‘darurah’ necessity, required and needed.
Considering this evidence, we conclude the nasal flu vaccine containing porcine gelatine is permissible for use.
The full fatwa can be read here
Flu can be horrible for young children and they can easily pass it on to those around them who could be vulnerable. The free flu nasal spray is the best way to protect your child and can prevent the spread of the virus.
To book your child's free flu nasal spray, call us on 0121 745 9367, 10am-4pm, Monday-Friday.
For more advice on the flu vaccine for children visit the NHS website here: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/child-flu-vaccine/
Flu update (3/11/21):
We are continuing to deliver our #flu vaccination programme and are currently inviting adults aged 18 to 64 who are at risk and clinically extremely vulnerable for their #flu vaccines.
We are holding flu clinics throughout November to help everyone get protected for the winter, as well as currently holding nasal flu clinics for those under the age of 18 years old who are at risk.
If you are at risk and clinically extremely vulnerable, you are eligible for a flu vaccine. Please call us on 0121 745 9367 between 10am and 4pm, Monday to Friday.
Thank you... (22/10/21)
Flu update (15/10/21):
We are holding a nasal flu vaccine clinic this Sunday 17th October 2021 at our Dickens Heath surgery site for 2 to 4 year olds and zero months. If you are a registered SHP patient and have received a letter notifying you to book your child their nasal flu vaccine, you can come along between 9am and 11.30pm.
Flu update (13/10/21):
We are continuing to invite our patients aged 65 and over, and adults aged 18 to 64 who are at risk and clinically extremely vulnerable for their flu vaccines.
We are contacting patients aged 70 and over, in age descending order, to attend combined flu and COVID-19 booster vaccine clinics, however if you are invited for your flu vaccine before your COVID-19 booster is due, please book.
Further flu clinics are planned throughout October, on weekdays and weekends to help everyone get protected for the winter, as well as holding nasal flu clinics for 2 to 4 year olds and zero months.
Patient Update (13/10/21):
Solihull Healthcare Partnership Opens New Winter Pressures Service
Today (12th October 2021), sees Solihull Healthcare Partnership (SHP), as part its winter plans, open a new winter pressures service at the new SHP Blossomfield Hub.
After months of planning and preparation, SHP are now offering their registered patients a new winter pressures service at the new SHP Blossomfield Hub, located at the previously named Blossomfield Surgery site.
In order to anticipate and support with the additional demands of acute illnesses this winter, SHP now has enhanced clinical capacity with allied healthcare professionals joining the clinical team. The SHP Blossomfield Hub is operated by Advanced Nurse Practitioners, Nurses specialising in minor ailments, Physicians Associates and is overseen by GPs.
The Care Navigation and clinicians’ team are able to identify patients that can be directly booked in for face-to-face appointments at the SHP Blossomfield Hub.
The SHP Blossomfield Hub also provides an Ambulatory Assessment Unit for confirmed or suspected COVID-19 patients. All patients with suspected COVID-19 related symptoms will primarily be assessed and managed by remote consultations by clinicians at all SHP sites. If a clinician requires a further face-to-face assessment for confirmed or suspected COVID-19 patients, to determine if they can be managed in the community or require a hospital assessment, the patients will be booked into the Ambulatory Assessment Service. At this point the patient will be directed to a separate entrance called the AAU, where they will be initially triaged and assessed by a Healthcare Assistant before being reviewed by the SHP Blossomfield Hub Doctor. The AAU will facilitate the cohort of patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 being effectively managed in the community, whilst maintaining patient and staff safety with infection control.
Dr Lupoli, GP Partner and Chairman for SHP, said of the new SHP Blossomfield Hub; “After months of planning and preparation, we are delighted to announce the opening of our new winter pressures service at SHP Blossomfield Hub, as part of our winter pressure plans.
“The new SHP Blossomfield Hub is an extension of the Acute Care team and the additional resources will support and manage the demand from the winter pressures ahead. We are continuing to prioritise patients by clinical need, and provide care and services for as many people as we can.”
Dr William Taylor, Clinical Chair of NHS Birmingham and Solihull CCG, said:
“The initiatives Solihull Healthcare Partnership are developing to improve access to vital services as we head into the winter period is extremely positive news for their patients. We know that some patients are keen to see their healthcare professionals face-to-face and a move to have this option will be very well received. The introduction of the winter pressures hub will also be an invaluable resource to manage the demands of winter illnesses, and provide patients with the care that they need.”
Picture Caption: The New SHP Blossomfield Hub
Solihull Healthcare Partnership Announces New Winter Plans
From the 12th October 2021, Solihull Healthcare Partnership (SHP) will, as part its winter plans, be offering our patients face-to-face consultation for the vast majority of patient encounters, as well as a new winter pressures service at the new SHP Blossomfield Hub.
After months of planning and preparation, we will be offering patients more choice with our winter pressure plans, meaning that;
- SHP Patients will be offered face-to-face consultation for the vast majority of patient encounters. Consultations will only be by telephone or video if the patient reports symptoms and signs of suspected or confirmed COVID-19, or elects to receive a telephone or video call. Our carefully trained Care Navigators will ask screening questions during their telephone or reception desk encounter to determine if the appointment is appropriately face-to-face, as well as the patient being given an indicated time for their appointment.
- For the last 18 months, we have been offering predominantly urgent on the day appointments in order to meet patient demands due to the COVID-19 pandemic. From the 12th October, patients will be offered more choice of booking appointments in advance. Through effective care navigation by our Care Navigation team, patients will be offered urgent or routine pre-bookable appointments, and will be able to book appointments 2, 7 or 14 days ahead or routine appointments in advance.
- We are also planning to offer further online appointments, where appointments will be available for patients to book with a clinician through our Care Navigation team.
- We are dedicated to continuing to further upskill our Care Navigators with a programme of additional training and development to support our clinicians, and to ensure our patients see the right healthcare professionals at the appropriate time.
- The way we all access and receive health services has changed, and our Care Navigators also have the ability to sign post our patients to supported community services such as the community pharmacy consultation scheme, emergency eyes assessment clinics, social prescribers, mental health support and acute secondary care services to ensure the patients obtain the right healthcare support for their symptoms.
- We will also have a new winter pressures service for our patients at the new SHP Blossomfield Hub from the 12th October, located at the previously named Blossomfield Surgery site. In order to anticipate and support with the additional demands of acute illnesses this winter, we will have enhanced clinical capacity with allied healthcare professionals joining the clinical team. The SHP Blossomfield Hub will be operated by Advanced Nurse Practitioners, Nurses specialising in minor ailments, Physicians Associates and be overseen by GPs. The Care Navigation and clinicians’ team will be able to identify patients that can be directly booked in for face-to-face appointments at the SHP Blossomfield Hub. Please note this service will not be for walk in or emergencies, or act as an alternative to A&E, however it will provide additional appointments to assist with the Winter Pressures.
- The SHP Blossomfield Hub will also provide an Ambulatory Assessment Unit for confirmed or suspected COVID-19 patients. All patients with suspected COVID-19 related symptoms will primarily be assessed and managed by remote consultations by clinicians at all SHP sites. If a clinician requires a further face-to-face assessment for confirmed or suspected COVID-19 patients, to determine if they can be managed in the community or require a hospital assessment, the patients will be booked into the Ambulatory Assessment Service. At this point the patient will be directed to a separate entrance called the AAU, where they will be initially triaged and assessed by a Healthcare Assistant before being reviewed by the SHP Blossomfield Hub Doctor. The AAU will facilitate the cohort of patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 being effectively managed in the community, whilst maintaining patient and staff safety with infection control.
- In order to restore and recover primary care, SHP is dedicated to ensuring patient continuity particularly for groups of patients with chronic health conditions, cancer and on the gold standard frame work for palliative care. When patients contact us, our Care Navigators will ensure patients are booked with the relevant healthcare professional from their surgery site or preferred clinicians to facilitate continuity for patients. In addition, nursing and allied healthcare professionals, alongside dedicated non-clinical teams, will be affiliated to sites to support patients with continuity.
- Our Acute Care Team continues to grow with the recruitment of new members. The Acute Care team consists of GPs, allied healthcare professionals such as Physicians Associates, Physiotherapists and Advanced Nurse Practitioners, as well as the dedicated Contact Centre Care Navigators, who are the frontline SHP staff who are pivotal in ensuring our patient sees the right healthcare professionals at the appropriate time. The new SHP Blossomfield Hub is an extension of the Acute Care team and the additional resources will support and manage the demand from the winter pressures ahead.
- In addition, we are continuing to deliver our action plan to improve patient access. As well as recruiting and training Care Navigators, we are constantly monitoring and reviewing our telephone system to try to respond to the maximum number of callers we possibly can. We are planning to make further changes to improve telephone answering, which will take effect from the 18th
Whilst the GP's and all healthcare professionals at SHP are continuing to see patients face-to-face, as well as offering telephone appointments, as we have done throughout the pandemic, we are delighted to announce these changes as part of our winter pressure plans and the enhanced face-to-face capacity we can offer our registered patients, including the new SHP Blossomfield Hub service.
We are continuing to prioritise patients by clinical need, and provide care and services for as many people as we can, and every member of the SHP team are working harder than ever to allow us to deliver the primary care patients need, and to deliver our intentions of wanting to provide the best care we can as an organisation recognising the challenging demands on General Practice.
PATIENT REMINDER
SURGERY CLOSURE FOR TRAINING
Our surgery sites will be closed from 2pm to 5pm, Wednesday 29th September and Wednesday 6th October, for staff training and development. These training and development sessions are part of our action plan to deliver improved patient access, and include further upskilling our Care Navigation team and Clinicians.
For life threatening medical emergencies, such as chest pain or breathlessness, please dial 999
For medical issues and queries during this period, please dial 0300 555 9999
SURGERY CLOSURE FOR TRAINING
Our surgery sites will be closed from 2pm to 5pm, Wednesday 29th September and Wednesday 6th October, for staff training and development. These training and development sessions are part of our action plan to deliver improved patient access, and include further upskilling our Care Navigation team and Clinicians.
For life threatening medical emergencies, such as chest pain or breathlessness, please dial 999
For medical issues and queries during this period, please dial 0300 555 9999
Patient Update (24/9/21):
Following a number of recent comments made on social media by some of our patients, firstly we want to once again say that we are sincerely sorry for, and understand our patients’ frustrations on, a number of issues we have had, and continue to have. We are working hard to listen to and respond to our registered patients on all feedback as quickly as possible.
We are continuing to see unprecedented high demand with patients getting in touch and requests for appointments. Primary Care nationally has seen an increase in demand with 2.25 million more consultations in this month compared to September 2019.
We have had several accusations that we are ‘not seeing patients’, ‘not bothered’ and that we are ‘passing the buck’. In the last 28 days, at SHP we have had a total of 20,515 appointments, out of which 12,831 were GP appointments and 7,859 face-to-face appointments.
GP's and all other healthcare professionals at SHP are seeing patients face to face, as well as offering telephone appointments, every week, as we have done throughout the pandemic. The move to an initial telephone consultation to assess a patient’s needs was, and is, in line with NHS England’s and the Government’s guidance and has been necessary for infection control, and to keep patients and healthcare staff as safe as possible.
We are continuing to prioritise patients by clinical need, and provide care and services for as many people as we can. We are supporting our colleagues in secondary care by appropriately triaging, examining and referring where appropriate, whilst also preparing for the winter pressures ahead and delivering the Flu, COVID-19 Booster and COVID-19 vaccination programmes at Monkspath Surgery Vaccination Centre. Therefore, please bear with us as we continue to navigate these challenging times.
Whilst we understand your frustration with the pressures in General Practice, the tone taken in many of the messages has had a very demoralising impact on the staff, particularly on our Contact Centre and Reception teams, clinicians and Healthcare professionals, who are on the front line and have to endure surprising levels of rudeness and aggression from a small minority, on a daily basis.
Please can we remind you we operate a ‘zero tolerance’ policy towards abuse of our staff and colleagues, including on social media. Any social media posts, by registered and non-registered patients, amounting towards malicious threat or intent will be treated with the upmost seriousness.
We would also like to reassure patients that we are doing everything we can to address their concerns, and that we continue to remain open.
Whilst we will be publishing an update on the delivery of our action plan to improve patient access, we would like to let you know some of the things we are doing to address some of the pressures we are currently experiencing;
- We are continuing to recruit new members of staff into our Contact Centre team to help deal with demand, as well as constantly monitoring our telephone system to try to respond to the maximum number of callers we possibly can.
- Our Contact Centre team are carefully trained to ask questions to direct all callers to the most appropriate resource. We are further upskilling our Care Navigation team with a programme of additional training and development to support our clinicians.
- Our appointment system has changed to allow clinicians to bring patients into our surgery sites for a face-to-face appointment on the same day where necessary and based on the triage information given to our Care Navigators. Our Healthcare professionals and GPs may call ahead of a scheduled telephone consultation to invite patients in for a face-to-face if clinically appropriate.
- We are devising our winter pressures plan, to help support with the anticipated surge of acute illnesses during this period.
- Recruitment of other health professionals aimed at supporting GPs. These other professionals include a First Contact Physiotherapist, Advanced Nurse Practitioners, Pharmacists and Social Prescribers.
Finally, every member of the SHP team are working harder and longer than we have ever done before, to allow us to deliver the primary care you need and to deliver our intentions of wanting to provide the best care we can as an organisation recognising the challenges.
We continue to be hugely grateful to the vast majority of our patients for their understanding, patience and kindness. Please help us to help you and the wider community within which we all live.
Flu Vaccine (22/9/21)
Solihull Healthcare Partnership have received Flu vaccines and COVID Booster vaccines at the Monkspath Vaccination Centre, and are contacting patients to book their appointment.
Please do not phone the surgery to book an appointment or attend the clinics if you do not have a pre-booked appointment. Thank you for your patience and support.
Flu Vaccine Update (20/9/21):
Repeat Prescription Ordering Changes
In line with other Solihull Primary Care Networks and to return to pre-pandemic practices, we are closing our prescription telephone line from Monday 20th September 2021. This is due to safety concerns raised with incorrect medication either ordered or issued. We will continue to accept repeat prescription requests over the telephone if you have an agreement in place due to specific circumstances and a reason noted in your medical records.
You are able to order repeat medication online via the NHS App, on our website and by posting your medication request in the prescription boxes located outside all of our surgery sites.
Flu Vaccine Update (14/09/2021):
It's flu Season again and following government guidelines, we are currently contacting SHP patients aged 65 to 69, and adults aged 18 to 64 who are at risk and clinically extremely vulnerable.
We are holding flu clinics this weekend at the Monkspath Surgery Vaccination Centre, with further flu clinics planned throughout September and October, on weekdays and weekends to help everyone get protected for the winter.
If you are an SHP patient and receive a text message from Solihull Healthcare Partnership, like the example below, you can book your flu vaccine by replying to the text message. Please do not click the blue link.
SHP, working with GPS Healthcare, have secured delivery of flu vaccinations and are starting to administer it to our patient populations. Also the practices will be offering vaccinations locally if you are attending the practice for other reasons, and when the COVID-19 booster program commences, eligible individuals will also be offered a booster COVID-19 vaccination at the same time.
Rest assured, we will have vaccinations available for all eligible patients. So if you are eligible, you will be invited to get your flu vaccine as soon as it's your turn, by text, phone or letter. In the meantime, please do not call the practice to ask about your Flu vaccination.
For the latest information, we will be updating this page and our social media regularly.
NHS Birmingham and Solihull CCG statement on Becton Dickson Blood Specimen Collection Supply Disruption:
A supplier to the NHS has advised them of a global shortage of some equipment used for taking blood tests. NHS England have therefore issued guidance to GPs that all non-urgent blood tests should be halted.
Anyone who needs a test for urgent health problems will still get one, but where your clinician recommends that it’s safe to do so, then you may be asked to come back for a test at a later date, or your appointment may be rescheduled.
Given the nature of the shortage, we cannot give an exact date for when the test will be rescheduled, but please be assured that if your condition or symptoms require it, then you will get a test, and we will be re-booking your test when supplies become more easily available.
If your condition or symptoms change or get worse, please contact the NHS as you would normally.
CLOSURE FOR TRAINING
Our surgery sites will be closed from 12.30pm to 5pm on Wednesday 1st September 2021 for Training and will reopen from 5pm.
For life threatening medical emergencies, such as chest pain or breathlessness, please dial 999
For medical issues & queries during this period, please dial 0300 555 9999
Thank you for your patience.
AUGUST BANK HOLIDAY CLOSURE
Our surgeries will be closed on Bank Holiday Monday 30th August 2021.
We will reopen on Tuesday 31st August at 08:00AM.
For life threatening medical emergencies, such as chest pain or breathlessness, please dial 999.
For medical issues & queries during this period, please dial 111
We wish all our patients a Happy August Bank Holiday!
August Bank Holiday
Over the bank holiday weekend (28-30 August), some healthcare services, such as GP practices and pharmacies, will either be closed or open with reduced hours.
Why not think ahead and follow a five-step check to ensure you’re ready for the bank holiday weekend;
- Collect prescriptions: Avoid any last minute panic by ordering and collecting your medication well-ahead of time.
- Prepare for self-care: Make sure you have basic medicines, such as paracetamol and antihistamine, at home, plus a first-aid kit.
- Know the location of your nearest emergency pharmacist: Emergency pharmacists will be available over the bank holiday weekend, providing advice and over-the-counter medication for minor health concerns. A list of pharmacy bank holiday opening times is available here.
- Contact NHS 111 for urgent care: If you need urgent medical help, call 111 or visit 111.nhs.uk. NHS 111 is available 24/7 and their team will provide you with the right care for your needs, including booking you an appointment with an out-of-hours GP.
- Emergency services are for emergencies only: For life-threatening emergencies, call 999 or go straight to A&E. But, remember that if you arrive with a non-emergency condition, you are likely to be directed to a more appropriate service.
When seeking medical care this Bank Holiday weekend, consider the five-step check!
NHS Data Sharing
Extended Access Update (19/8/21)
We have recently restarted our extended access appointments, which was nationally suspended during the Covid 19 pandemic and to support the Covid 19 vaccination programme, whereby we are providing additional pre-booked appointments on Saturdays and Sundays, from 9am to 1pm.
Our Doctors, with Nurses and Health Care Assistants, are delivering minor surgery sessions for specialist planned care and our Nurses are delivering cervical screening clinics.
Independent Review into the access issues at Solihull Healthcare Partnership - Recommendations & Actions (16/8/21)
Following the recent Independent Review into the access issues at Solihull Healthcare Partnership by the NHS Birmingham and Solihull Clinical Commissioning Group (BSOL CCG), a set of recommendations have been put in place.
These recommendations, along with the action plan, can be viewed here - Action Plan - Recommendations from the SHP Access Review_ SHP Comments 14.6.21.docx
For future updates on the Action Plan, visit this page.
Independent Review into the access issues at Solihull Healthcare Partnership (12/8/21)
NHS Birmingham and Solihull Clinical Commissioning Group (BSOL CCG) have recently undertaken an independent review to understand the access issues at Solihull Healthcare Partnership.
A report was prepared by Dr Lucy Evriviades, an Independent GP Partner at Chaddesley Corbett Surgery and Medicines Lead GP; NHS Hereford and Worcester Clinical Commissioning Group, and Lisa Maxfield, Associate Director of Primary Care, NHS Birmingham and Solihull Clinical Commissioning Group, in May 2021.
The conclusions of the report were as follows;
- The findings from this independent review identify that there were significant and widespread access issues for patients during the majority of 2020 and into the Spring of 2021. This was due to the instigation of a new call system and call centre, change of the GP operating model for access to keep both patients and staff safe during the pandemic, coupled with the Covid 19 pandemic itself. The findings from this report show that SHP have made significant strides in trying to address the problems and concerns made from patients, carers and Healthwatch Solihull. The mystery shopper experience shows that call times have reduced, and the average wait time is nine minutes and twenty seconds, this correlates to the information SHP submitted of nine minutes and nineteen seconds. On the whole SHP is performing highly in its care to patients and no actions have been taken by CQC, as the regulatory body in relation to the access issues.
- A review of the Call Centre on 21st May 2021 clearly shows that SHP are continuing to remedy access and call centre issues and have a forward action plan in place.
- SHP have shown that they have been fully engaging, collaborative and willing to work with wider partners, patients and the CCG in order to improve the access issues.
- There remains significant conflict with the patient group who determine themselves as SHP’s Monkspath PPG, which needs to be resolved as soon as possible, so that the PPG can remain an advocate for patients and a critical friend to the partnership.
- It is clear that reputational damage has been done to SHP, not only from the Solihull Healthcare Partnership – Patients Private Group Facebook page, but also concerns raised across partners and patients. This will take time to remedy and raise patient confidence in the service again.
- The findings in this report identify that there were significant concerns about the access issues at SHP and show that the CCG itself recorded 127 complaints during 2020 and 2021. The majority of complaints were received in the Autumn and Winter of 2020. We recommend that the CCG review its processes to identify triggers for an independent investigation/review should this type of scenario occur within the future.
Following this independent review a set of recommendations have been put in place.
A copy of the full Independent Review Report can be viewed here - SHP Independent Review Final 2021
Monkspath Vaccination Centre Team administer COVID-19 vaccines to Birmingham City Football Club players & team
On Monday 26th July 2021, the Monkspath Vaccination Centre Team (Solihull Healthcare Partnership and GPS Healthcare) attended Birmingham City Football Club Training Ground to administer the vaccines to the players and team. The event took place after the Monkspath Vaccination Centre Team approached the club following a visit by Lukas Jutkiewicz, Birmingham City Football Club Striker, to one of the walk-in clinics at the Monkspath Vaccination Centre, Solihull.
You can join the players and get COVID-19 vaccinated too. Visit www.birminghamandsolihullcovidvaccine.nhs.uk to book an appointment or for a walk-in clinic near you.
Picture caption: (left-right) Claire Lilley – COVID Administrator, Martine Chisholm – COVID Vaccinator, Kristian Pedersen – Birmingham City Football Club Defender, Dr Lucy Hillman – GP Partner, GPS Healthcare and Clare Rippin – Service Delivery Manager, Monkspath Vaccination Centre
Patient Information (22/7/21):
The highest priority for the NHS remains the safety of staff, patients and visitors.
While COVID restrictions ended in many settings in England from 19 July, everyone accessing or visiting healthcare settings must continue to wear a face covering (unless they are exempt) and follow social distancing rules.
Public Health England’s infection prevention control guidelines and hospital visiting guidance are therefore set to remain in place for all staff and visitors and across all health services including hospitals, GP practices, dentists, optometrists and pharmacies to ensure patients and staff are protected.
Read the infection prevention control guidance in full at:
COVID-19: infection prevention and control (IPC) - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Patient Information (15/7/21):
Although 19th July 2021 sees the lifting of restrictions nationally, Solihull has one of the highest COVID-19 rates in the country and we are already seeing an impact on our staffing levels with individual members of staff having to self-isolate or testing positive. We do not want to put our patients, staff and our service at additional risk. The following will continue to apply in the way we will deliver services to our patients.
We will continue to triage all calls, in line with the NHS Digital First model, and offer face-to-face appointments where they are clinically needed. We continue to have a range of measures in place to keep you safe from COVID-19, including regular cleaning of patient areas and social distancing of two-metres. Where space is constrained patients may continue to be asked to queue outside. We will ask you to continue to wear a face covering, unless exempt, when visiting us at one of our seven sites.
Individuals with COVID-19 symptoms or who meet the criteria for self-isolation should not attend our surgeries and should continue to follow public health guidance.
How to access us and ask for help?
We are still open and here for you. We are continuing to provide services as we have been doing throughout the #COVID-19 pandemic, and prioritise delivering care and services based on clinical needs.
If you need medical advice or treatment, please call us on 0121 705 1105 or, for non-urgent advice or treatment, visit our website or one of our seven surgery sites.
By Phone
You can call us on 0121 705 1105. Our telephone lines are open from 8am to 6:30pm, Monday to Friday (excluding Bank Holidays).
You will be asked to first discuss your condition/s over the phone with a Care Navigator or member of the healthcare team to assess the most appropriate way to provide your care, which may include a face-to-face consultation, and ensure it is provided by the most appropriate person. Face-to-face appointments continue to be available to all patients where there is a clinical need.
In person
You are able to access us face-to-face by visiting one of our seven surgeries to ask in person about booking an appointment, repeat prescription requests and for general queries.
From Monday 12th July 2021, our sites will be open from 8:30am to 6:30pm, Monday to Friday (excluding Bank Holidays):
- Shirley Medical Centre
- The Jacey Practice
- Haslucks Green Medical Centre
- Grove Surgery
- Monkspath Surgery
- Dickens Heath Medical Centre
- Blossomfield Surgery
This ensures we can prioritise our focus on patients being able to access us through our telephone system when demand is high and support improving patient access for the majority of patients.
In addition, all sites will be closed on Wednesdays from 12:30pm to 1:30pm, as part of our ongoing staff training and development, which is a priority to ensure we continue to improve service delivery and patient care.
Our telephone lines remain open throughout the training and in the event of urgent patient needs, we can still be contacted. There is minimal impact on service delivery and no impact on appointments. This time has been chosen to coincide with the period of the day when our Doctors and healthcare professionals are conducting essential face-to-face appointments with housebound patients.
We continue to have a range of measures in place to keep you safe from COVID-19, including regular cleaning of patient areas and social distancing - where space is constrained patients may be asked to queue outside. Please ensure you wear a face covering when visiting us at one of our seven sites.
Individuals with #COVID-19 symptoms or who meet criteria for self-isolation should not attend our surgeries and continue to follow public health guidance.
If you have a disability or condition which means you cannot wear a face covering or cannot communicate with someone who is wearing a face mask, or require other adjustments before your appointment, please let us know ahead of your arrival.
If you attend our practice receptions you will be treated on the same basis as if you were calling on the phone.
Please be polite and respectful, our GPs and practice teams are available and working hard to support you, your family and friends health and care needs.
Go online
Online Services currently provide patients with access to their medical records, repeat medication ordering and COVID-19 vaccination status. Using the service will help you to manage your own health and access healthcare features whenever you need to.
On our web site you can access our;
Online Consult facility if you require non-urgent assistance on any of the following healthcare needs;
- Sick notes (Fit to Work) requests
- Repeat prescriptions requests
- COVID vaccine queries
- Childhood immunisations queries
- Cervical screening (smear) queries
You will receive a response as soon as possible, usually within two working days. Online forms should not be used for urgent medical requests or queries.
NHS App & Patient Access - You can also order repeat prescriptions and access your medical records on the NHS App and Patient Access – To access and find out more visit: https://solihullhealthcarepartnership.nhs.uk/online-services/
COVID-19 Vaccinations
We are delighted to be continuing to be playing our part in undertaking the largest vaccination programme in the history of the NHS. We are balancing this programme with continuing to be open and managing your other clinical needs. Please do be reassured that if you need medical attention, we are here for you and will determine how to best support you, based on your symptoms.
Our staff are working extremely hard to provide services and care and we would like to thank our patients for your continued support.
#HelpUsHelpYou
SURGERY CLOSURE FOR TRAINING:
Solihull Healthcare Partnership (SHP) Patient Participation Group (PPG) Update (29/6/21):
We would like to provide an update regarding the PPG for our organisation.
Patient involvement, engagement and communication is of utmost importance to Solihull Healthcare Partnership (SHP); in order for us to work together to improve patient outcomes and experience of the services we deliver.
SHP has a single PPG that covers all of our sites, with a growing membership and exciting plans for the future. The Interim Chair of the PPG also sits on our Board.
By definition, a PPG is a group of patients, carers and GP practice staff who meet to discuss practice issues and find a way forward, together. The patients’ voice is paramount and SHP fully recognise this and support collaborating with our patients.
SHP is a single practice with a single SHP PPG. We share the national vision of the PPGs purpose, including;
- To act as a critical friend
- To give patients and practice staff the opportunity to meet and discuss topics of mutual interest.
- To provide a means for patients to become more involved and make suggestions about the healthcare services they receive.
- To explore issues from patient complaints and patient surveys, contribute to action plans and help monitor improvements.
- To contribute feedback to the practice on National Patient Survey results and Friends and Family Test feedback to propose developments or change.
- To support health awareness and patient education
Outside of the official single SHP PPG, we are aware of a historical PPG that was from our Monkspath site. We continue to endeavour to engage with members of this group to bring them into the official SHP PPG but unfortunately this has not yet been successful, and the group continues to operate in isolation without any communication or involvement with SHP.
We welcome new members to the SHP PPG and any anyone who would like to get involved can join via our website at https://solihullhealthcarepartnership.nhs.uk/patient-participation-group/
PATIENT UPDATE (17/6/21):
SHP PATIENT EVENT – 15th June 2021
Click on the below link to view a full summary of our SHP Patient Event held on the 15th June 2021:
SHP Patient Event - Summary 15.6.21.docx
Click on the link below for the answers to the specific questions asked by the Patient Event attendees:
We look forward to seeing you at our next SHP Patient Event!
REGISTER & JOIN US FOR OUR PATIENT EVENT – 15th JUNE 2021
Click on the below link to register for our SHP patient event on Tuesday 15th June 2021, starting at 7pm.
Join us to find out what is happening at SHP and for our latest patient updates, as well as members of the Clinical and Managerial team answering frequently asked questions.
Please fill in the form to register for the event via Zoom and to put forward any questions for consideration for the frequently asked section.
ORDERING REPEAT PRESCRIPTIONS
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed our lives in many ways, and this includes the way we work and how patients are able to access us. We have seen a significant increase in registered patient telephone calls to SHP and we continue to work hard to find solutions to the challenges of increased demand, and to improve our telephone answering times.
As part of our roadmap out of lockdown, from the 21st June 2021, the service of repeat prescription ordering is returning to online via the NHS App or Patient Access, or by visiting one of our surgeries.
The fastest and easiest way to order your repeat prescriptions is to go to - https://solihullhealthcarepartnership.nhs.uk/online-services/ and sign up to the NHS App or Patient Access.
If you are unable to do this then you are still able to use the right hand side of your prescription, and either send it by post or hand it into one of our prescription boxes at one of our surgeries.
For safety reasons, from the 21st June 2021, we will no longer accept requests over the telephone. If you have an agreement that you can request repeat prescriptions over the telephone, due to specific circumstances and as noted in your medical records, this will continue.
Prescriptions may only be ordered by our patients, their carers or relatives. Prescriptions can only be ordered by your pharmacist where this has been agreed and noted in your medical records.
Prescriptions can now be sent to the pharmacy electronically. If you would like to nominate a pharmacy to receive your prescriptions electronically please ask at either the pharmacy or via the NHS App or Patient Access, or by visiting one or our surgeries.
We hope this will make it easier for patients to access their repeat medication and support our ambitions to continue to improve our call wait times for those patients calling to book an appointment.
Requesting a Repeat Prescription
From the 21st June, here’s how to request a repeat prescription...
Go online & sign up to the NHS App or Patient Access https://solihullhealthcarepartnership.nhs.uk/online-services/
Hand in - the right hand side of your prescription to one of our boxes at one of our surgeries.
INFORMATION FOR REGISTERED SHP PATIENTS:
It has been brought to our attention by a patient that there is a private Facebook group named ‘Solihull Health Partnership – Patients’ and we would like to confirm that it is NOT affiliated to, endorsed or supported by Solihull Healthcare Partnership (SHP) for our registered SHP patient population.
Please note any content, questionnaires and comments posted on this Facebook group has no connection to or involvement with SHP, or the official SHP Patient Participation Group (PPG), specifically representing registered SHP patients. SHP DOES NOT communicate with, review, support, endorse, contribute to, respond to or affiliate with this private Facebook group.
We would also like to confirm that ALL official SHP PPG information and joining details are only available on our official Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/SolihullHP and website https://solihullhealthcarepartnership.nhs.uk/patient-participation-group/
For patient safety, if you have any concerns, comments or feedback, please contact us directly via;
- Online – using our Patients Feedback page, Have Your Say - https://solihullhealthcarepartnership.nhs.uk/patient-feedback-2/
- In writing – Send to Solihull Healthcare Partnership Management, Shirley Medical
- Centre, 8 Union Road, Shirley, Solihull, West Midlands, B90 3DT, OR drop off at one of our surgery sites
- Email – admin.shp@nhs.net
Patient feedback and regular communication with our official SHP PPG members is invaluable in helping us achieve improved patient care and services, both now and in the future.
Dated: 2nd June 2021
MAY BANK HOLIDAY CLOSURE
Our surgeries will be closed on May Bank Holiday on Monday 31st May 2021.
We will reopen on Tuesday 1st June at 08:00AM.
For life threatening medical emergencies, such as chest pain or breathlessness, please dial 999.
For medical issues & queries during this period, please dial 111
We wish all our patients a Happy Bank Holiday!
Did you know?
SHP has a dedicated telephone number for healthcare professionals.
As a Solihull GP Practice, Solihull Healthcare Partnership has a by-pass telephone number which is distributed to care homes, paramedics and ambulance services and community nursing services.
When you call us…
SHP UPDATE TO REGISTERED PATIENTS (4/5/21):
The latest in a series of communications to keep registered SHP patients and stakeholders updated…
Increased patient demand…
We are continuing to see a significant increase in registered patients getting in touch and requests for appointments.
Did you know?
Following on from the GP Patient Survey 2020, the majority of patients (76.3%) said they had booked an appointment over the phone in the past 12 months, and two in five had booked in person.
By telephone…
9 out of 10 of registered patients contact us by telephone - We continue to focus on patients being able to access us through our telephone system, and improving patient access for the majority of patients and telephone answering times.
In person…
Patients are able to access us face-to-face by visiting one of our surgeries to ask in person about booking an appointment, repeat prescription requests and for general queries. More face-to-face appointments are also taking place.
The following sites are now fully open, Monday to Friday (excluding Bank Holidays), 8.30am to 6.30pm:
- Shirley Medical Centre
- The Jacey Practice
- Haslucks Green Medical Centre
- Grove Surgery
- Monkspath Surgery
- Dickens Heath Medical Centre
Following the use of Blossomfield Surgery as a ‘red site’ for the south Solihull area, treating patients who had or were suspected to have COVID-19 in a safe environment, this surgery is now under review with plans to reopen soon.
Total Triage…
Total triage was adopted across general practice from March 2020 on the advice of NHS England as the coronavirus pandemic forced practices to limit face-to-face consultations.
NHS England defines it as a model in which 'every patient contacting the practice first provides some information on the reasons for contact and is triaged before making an appointment'.
NHS England said remote triage should remain in place - NHS England plans to 'embed total triage' in general practice post-pandemic | GPonline
We continue to follow the total triage model, and if required, patients will be invited to see a clinician or suitably trained member of the team face-to-face at the appropriate SHP surgery.
Online Consult…
To continue to address the increase in patient demand and in digital use as outlined in the NHS Long Term Plan https://www.longtermplan.nhs.uk/, Online Consult allows patients to request non-urgent assistance on specific aspects of healthcare from the practice.
We are delighted to announce that Online Consult has now been reinstated.
During the period of time that the facility was unavailable we undertook an audit of how the service was being used. Online Consult is for non-urgent clinical queries only, but it was apparent that the service was sometimes used for areas that it wasn’t designed for, which could potentially result in a risk to patients. In order to ensure that the service is clinically safe for patient use online, we have revised the services available, which are now as follows:
- Sick notes (Fit to Work) requests
- Repeat prescriptions requests
- COVID vaccine queries
- Childhood immunisations queries
- Smears queries
Did you know?
We are continuing to work hard on delivering care for our registered patients, finding solutions to the challenges of increased demand, and to improve our patient access and telephone answering times.
MAY BANK HOLIDAY CLOSURE:
SOLIHULL HEALTHCARE PARTNERSHIP TAKE ON THE CAPTAIN TOM 100 CHALLENGE THIS WEEKEND
SHP UPDATE TO REGISTERED PATIENTS (20/4/21):
The latest in a series of communications to keep registered SHP patients and stakeholders updated…
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed our lives in many ways, and this includes the way patients are able to access their general practice. We have seen a significant increase in registered patient telephone calls to SHP (51.3% increase in incoming telephone calls from February to March 2021), alongside an increase in patients requesting appointments and more telephone appointments being offered.
Did you know?
According to the GP Patient Survey 2020, the majority of patients (76.3%) said they had booked an appointment over the phone in the past 12 months, and two in five had booked in person.
In England there has been a longstanding aim to harness digital technology to deliver health care – the NHS Long Term Plan, however progress up until this year had been relatively slow. To address the increase in patient demand and increase in digital use, we introduced Online Consult in August 2020 to attempt to allow patients to request non-urgent assistance from the practice.
Unfortunately, Online Consult remains currently unavailable. We apologise for any inconvenience this may be causing and are working hard to reinstate this service as soon as possible.
There are many reasons for Online Consult currently being unavailable;
- Online Consult is currently under review as we have seen a recent increase in demand of the facility not being used for non-urgent clinical queries and to address patient issues and concerns, including access and patient confidence. Therefore, we need to ensure it adheres to patient safety online and clinical governance. It is our intention to reinstate Online Consult, as soon as possible, for non-urgent clinical queries and once we have the governance structures in place to ensure it is safe to use. We plan to have this available from 4th May 2021.
- 9 out of 10 of our registered SHP patients contact us by telephone – Following recent criticisms we have received from our registered SHP patients regarding call waiting times, which have justifiably been made, we have prioritised our focus on patients being able to access us through our telephone system. We have listened to our patients and redirected resource to address and support improving patient access for the majority of patients and telephone answering times. We have seen significant improvements to our recent call answering performance – for example, on Thursday 1st April 2021 we had an average inbound answer time of 21 minutes 17seconds and two weeks later on Thursday 15th April 2021 this had improved to an average inbound answer time of 5 minutes 34 seconds - which forms the basis of our ambition to improve further.
- Redeployment of resource to ensure patients are able to access us face-to-face by visiting one of our surgeries to ask in person about booking an appointment, repeat prescription requests and for queries. A reminder the following sites are open, Monday to Friday, excluding Bank Holidays:
- Shirley Medical Centre (9am-4pm)
- Jacey Practice (9am-5pm)
- Haslucks Green Surgery (9am-5pm)
- Grove Surgery (9am-5pm)
- Monkspath Surgery (9am-6.30pm)
Did you know?
We are working hard on our roadmap out of lockdown, of which we will be communicating full details to registered SHP patients shortly. However, we are now already seeing an increase in surgery face-to-face GP appointments, alongside GP telephone appointments, and are planning to open Dickens Heath Surgery in early May.
We understand our patient’s frustrations, we are continuing to work hard on delivering care for our registered patients, finding solutions to the challenges of increased demand, and to improve our patient access and telephone answering times.
Contact us
A reminder, if you have any queries, concerns, comments, compliments or suggestions, please contact us directly via;
- Online – using our Patients Feedback page – Have Your Say
- In writing – Send to Solihull Healthcare Partnership Management, Shirley Medical Centre, 8 Union Road, Shirley, Solihull, West Midlands, B90 3DT, or drop off at any one of our surgery sites
- Email – admin.shp@nhs.net – a reminder this email address is for non-clinical queries only.
We would like to thank our registered SHP patients for their continued support and patience.
SHP Staff Step Up & Complete the Walk All Over Cancer Challenge
Staff at SHP have recently completed the 10,000 Steps a Day #WalkAllOverCancer Challenge to raise vital funds for Cancer Research UK.
SHP UPDATE TO REGISTERED PATIENTS (7/4/21):
This is the first in a series of communications to keep registered SHP patients and stakeholders updated.
We are aware of the challenges and increase in demand that we are facing in these unprecedented times, and the criticisms we are currently receiving from our registered patients, which are justifiably being made.
As recently highlighted in the Healthwatch document on GP access – GP access during COVID-19, this is not just a Solihull Healthcare Partnership (SHP) issue, but a national issue.
Prior to the coronavirus pandemic, the average number of contacts per patient per year was just over 5. Currently we are seeing an increase in activity of 7-8 contacts per registered patient per year, and demand that is outstripping resource at present.
We have seen a significant increase in calls to SHP. From February 2021 to March 2021, we have seen an increase of 51.3% in attempts to get in touch with us.
There are many reasons for this current situation;
- Patients - Having patiently waited for some time to access services for their clinical condition, many people have understood that as we unlock nationally, now is the time to get in touch with their General Practice (GP). This has been seen with the recent surge in calls from 25,824 in February 2021 to 39,075 in March 2021.
- Those patients who have been referred to hospital with clinical conditions that have yet to be seen, still need to be managed while they wait. In addition, those patients who are receiving specialist care are often receiving this remotely, and if the consultant wants a test to be done, they are asking patients to ask their GPs to arrange them. We are aware that hospitals are working hard to reduce the waiting lists of patients waiting to be seen. However, whilst this happens more people are contacting their GP practice for support, advice and reassurance.
- We have seen a significant increase in the number of registered patient calls into SHP, of which the pandemic has created the situation we are currently in, alongside an increase in COVID-19 related calls and queries.
- We have significantly contributed to the delivery of the very successful COVID-19 vaccination programme at SHP’s Monkspath Surgery, and continue to work hard to administer vaccines following government guidelines, and with new employees recruited to cover new roles. 75% of all vaccines have been delivered by General Practice.
We understand our patient’s frustrations, we continue to work hard on delivering care for our registered patients, find solutions to the challenges of increased demand, and to improve patient access and telephone answering times.
We welcome your feedback and we would urge SHP registered patients to contact us directly on their personal experiences – where our services meet your needs, and where and when they don’t.
If you have any queries, concerns, comments, compliments or suggestions, please contact us directly via;
- Online – using our Patients Feedback page – Have Your Say
- In writing – Send to Solihull Healthcare Partnership Management, Shirley Medical Centre, 8 Union Road, Shirley, Solihull, West Midlands, B90 3DT, or drop off at any one of our surgery sites
- Email – admin.shp@nhs.net
Patient feedback is invaluable in helping us achieve improved patient care and services, both now and in the future.
Our next update will answer some of most frequently asked questions.
Date for your diary – We would also like to invite our SHP registered patients to join us on the 15th June 2021 for an online event, with the SHP Chairman, Dr Lupoli, and the Chief Executive Officer, Steve New - More details to follow.
We would like to thank our registered SHP patients for their continued support and patience.
COVID-19 UPDATES
Prescription Ordering
We are receiving a high number of phone calls to request prescriptions which is increasing the wait on the phone system.
Can we remind patients that we do not accept prescription requests over the phone for safety reasons.
For ways to order your prescriptions please visit our prescription page.
Phlebotomy
Blood tests request forms generated by healthcare professionals at all GP practices can no longer attend any site within the University Hospitals Birmingham Trust. This includes Solihull, Heartlands, Good Hope and Queen Elizabeth Hospitals.
If you require a blood test that the healthcare professionals at SHP have requested, you will be booked in for an appointment at our community Hub at Monkspath Surgery with one of our phlebotomists.
Blood test request forms completed by a hospital- based healthcare professional will be carried out in the outpatient department only.
Patients aged under 16 years are still able to attend Heartlands Hospital to access phlebotomy services through a booked appointment. The telephone numbers to arrange this after you have received a request form from a doctor are:
Heartlands Hospital: 0121 424 1528
Birmingham Children’s Hospital: 0121 333 9304