Latest News
Patient Information (20/06/22):
A reminder to our registered patients to only attend Hospital for their blood tests if specifically directed by a Clinician and it is stated on the form, or as requested by the hospital team.
Thank you.
JUNE BANK HOLIDAY CLOSURE
The practice will be closed on Thursday 2nd & Friday 3rd June 2022.
We will reopen at 08:00am by telephone & 08.30am at our surgery sites on Monday 6th June 2022.
Prescriptions Reminder: Please ensure you order & collect your medication well-ahead of time.
For life threatening medical emergencies, such as chest pain or breathlessness, dial 999.
For medical issues & queries during this period, dial 111.
We would like to wish all our patients a Happy Bank Holiday!
A huge CONGRATULATIONS... (16/05/22)
A huge congratulations to the Solihull Healthcare Partnership Nurses team for successfully completing the #MoonWalk London 2022 charity event, which took place on Saturday (14th May 2022).
Patient Update 16/05/22:
Following the power cut to Shirley Medical Centre last Tuesday (10th May 2022), we can confirm that all systems have been restored and our Contact Centre has now returned to Shirley Medical Centre.
Once we were informed by Western Power that there was a power cut affecting Shirley Medical Centre and no other surgery sites were affected, we were able to implement a plan to ensure we maintained continued access for patients through the redeployments of the clinical teams (Doctors, Nurses, Physician Associate and Pharmacists) and non-clinical teams (Administrators and Care Navigators) to our other sites.
With the support and assistance of the whole SHP team, Birmingham and Solihull Clinical Commissioning Group and the telephone provider we were able to ensure that no services or appointments were cancelled during this period, and the Contact Centre was efficiently rehoused at our Monkspath Surgery and Grove Surgery sites.
We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused to patients during this time.
On International Nurses Day (12th May 2022), find out more from one of our colleagues in the Nurses Team;
A Day in the Life of a… Practice Nurse
Hi, my name is Calum and I’ve been a Practice Nurse for Solihull Healthcare Partnership (SHP) for the past year and a half.
I’ve been a registered nurse for eight years and after initially qualifying I worked at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham in ambulatory care. However I always had a desire to work in primary care in the community, so switched to working as a Community Nurse and then became a District Nurse for six years. During this period I completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Community Care, which enabled me to develop my skills in order to manage more patient cases and a nursing team in order to provide high quality care in the community. In addition, it enabled me to assess a wide group of patients ranging from acute to long term conditions and palliative care. During this time I had close contact with the Solihull GP practices and decided I would like to take on the role of a Practice Nurse, as many of the skills I learnt as a District Nurse were transferable and I really enjoy the continuity of care by being able to assess and review patients on a regular basis, with the opportunity of building a rapport with patients.
When starting with SHP my role was as a Treatment Room Nurse, and I was supported to go on and complete a Postgraduate Certificate at University in the fundamentals of practice nursing. This covered a wide range of skill and knowledge necessary to fulfil the role of Practice Nurse.
In my role as a Practice Nurse, I work with a wide and diverse patient population, and as part of SHP’s multidisciplinary team. I deliver a wide range of care to our patients, making every day different. This starts by assessing the patient holistically during our consultation, using my skills and experience gained over a number of years and education to gather a detailed history, assess the patients’ needs, discuss treatment options and deliver a plan of care for them.
Some of my typical day duties include delivering nationwide immunisation programmes such as child and adult immunisations, travel immunisations and the more recently the COVID-19 vaccination programme, as well as delivering patient education, health promotion, disease prevention and lifestyle advice, leg ulcer assessments and treatment, sexual health and contraception, phlebotomy, minor illness clinics, all types of wound care acute, chronic, postoperative and the removal of sutures and clips. In addition, I manage long term conditions such as diabetes, assess patient observations including blood pressure (BP), pulse, oxygen saturation, temperature, ECG, urinalysis and administer different types of medicines and educate patients on their use of medications.
There is no such thing as a typical day for a Practice Nurse, however my day will generally involve face-to-face appointments with approximately 28 patients on a shift, depending on what care is required. I work a variety of shift patterns and across multiple surgery sites that form part of the SHP Primary Care Network. I may spend one day seeing a particular type of patient group, such as a leg ulcer clinic or child immunisations, and then go on the next day to assess patients with a variety of concerns in a general clinic where each appointment is a different need.
In a day I can deliver everything from wound care, performing observations such as BP and ECG, taking blood sample for reviews and administering vaccinations for travel to administering a range of medications, performing diabetes reviews, assessing patients with minor illnesses, discussing patient blood results and providing lifestyle interventions to improve their condition. As part of every day I also perform a variety of checks, such as checking emergency equipment, ensuring medicines are stored correctly and safely, and ensuring infection control standards are maintained.
As a Practice Nurse my role and responsibilities are constantly changing, which makes every day different. As well as maintaining my medical knowledge and skills, and adhering to the standards set by the Nursing and Midwifery Council, I attend further education training courses in order to deliver even more effective care to a wider and more complex patient group. SHP have also supported my current training course, a Post Graduate Certificate in Independent Prescribing, which means when completed I will be able to prescribe medicines to certain patient groups, resulting in increased patient access to timely prescriptions and continuity of care.
To find out more about the roles and multidisciplinary team of professionals at SHP that play their vital part in patient services, visit our web site at www.solihullhealthcarepartnership.nhs.uk
BANK HOLIDAY CLOSURES:
- Monday 2nd May
- Thursday 2nd – Friday 3rd June 2022
Patient Update (11/04/22):
We are still continuing to deal with high levels of sickness absence due to winter illnesses and cases of staff members isolating after testing positive for COVID-19. We therefore apologise to any patient that may have experienced long telephone answering times, and continue to hope this is a temporary situation.
Our team of Care Navigators are working hard across all our sites, answering telephone calls and dealing with patients face-to-face at our surgery site receptions.
We would like to remind patients that they are asked to continue to wear a face covering at all times while visiting us at one of our surgery sites. Although face masks are no longer mandatory in indoor public spaces, they are still compulsory in all GP practices and healthcare settings. Infection Prevention and Control requirements state that patients must continue to wear a face mask, unless exempt.
We continue to have a range of measures in place to keep patients and staff safe, including regular cleaning of patient areas and social distancing, and any patients with COVID-19 symptoms should not attend our surgery sites.
We will continue to keep you updated and thank you for your patience.
EASTER BANK HOLIDAY
EASTER BANK HOLIDAY CLOSURE:
TELEPHONE LINES CLOSURE FOR TRAINING TODAY
Our telephone lines will be closed from 3pm-6.30pm today (Thursday 7th April 2022) for staff training and development, as part of our action plan to deliver improved patient access, and will reopen tomorrow from 8am on Friday 8th April 2022.
Our surgery sites will remain open as usual from 8.30am to 6.30pm.
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.
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Anyone showing symptoms of COVID-19 should not visit a healthcare setting
This will help protect our staff and patients.
Visit http://nhs.uk/coronavirus for more information on COVID-19 symptoms, and what to do if you or your child has them.
Independent Review into the access issues at Solihull Healthcare Partnership - Recommendations & Actions (Latest update:30/03/22)
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 the latest update of the action plan, can be viewed here: Action Plan - Recommendations from the SHP Access Review - Patient Update 30.03.22
For future updates on the Action Plan, visit this page.
Spring COVID-19 Booster Vaccination Programme (24/03/22):
Patient Update (11/03/22):
We are continuing to deal with high levels of sickness absence due to winter illnesses and further cases of staff members isolating after testing positive for COVID-19 this week. Therefore, we apologise to any patient that may have experienced long telephone answering times, and continue to hope this is a temporary situation.
Our team of Care Navigators are working hard across all our sites, dealing with patients face-to-face at our surgery site receptions and answering telephone calls.
Also to update following on from last week’s patient communication regarding reports of some patients experiencing intermittent telephone technical issues, we are working with the telephone system supplier to resolve this as quickly as possible. Thank you to those patients that have fed back to us directly on their experiences, this has been invaluable as part of our investigation.
We will continue to keep you updated and thank you for your patience.
A day in the life of… Our Social Prescribing Link Worker
Hi, my name is Sharon and I’m a social prescribing link worker for Citizens Advice Solihull Borough in partnership with Solihull Healthcare Partnership (SHP). I began this role in December 2019 and I receive referrals from GP’s, Admin staff, Care Navigators and Pharmacists.
People are always asking me; what is a Social Prescribing Link Worker and what can you do? Link workers give people time, focusing on 'what matters to me' and taking a holistic approach to people's health and wellbeing. They connect people to community groups and statutory services for practical and emotional support. We work alongside community assets and if there is a need for a particular service we work with the local community to provide that service. For example, due to COVID-19 many activity groups stopped. We started a coffee morning for those socially isolated patients who were very scared about going out. This has been a great success, people have made friends and are socialising outside of the coffee morning now, one patient found employment and a number of patients would like to now volunteer!
Prior to starting my role, I worked in residential care as a support worker, senior and care home manager. I have also worked and volunteered for Citizens Advice and trained as an adviser. I have also worked as a teaching assistant in a secondary school, working with pupils with learning disabilities. This has given me great knowledge of the care system, and also how to help and listen to the needs of the patients I support. I have a great knowledge of the local services in the area.
My typical day starts at 8:30am where I check my referrals for the day. I will have two new referrals and up to 10 follow up calls to complete. I also have a team meeting to attend every morning.
I spend one hour on my first call to a patient where I work together with the patient to develop a personalised care plan to help improve their health and wellbeing. I will deal with any urgent issues straight away and then spend 12 weeks working with that patient looking at all aspects of their life and what the barriers are to improving their health and wellbeing.
An example of a first call could be a patient who has mental health issues but they may not be getting the support they need. I take the time to listen and find out what is important to them. I would then liaise with the local services they are involved in and help find new services that can support them. I would find out if they needed additional support with benefits, debt, housing, etc, and refer them to the relevant support services. I would also discuss the importance of being active and socialised, and help find the patient something that they would be interested in taking part in. I would also help them access and attend any activity group if this is what is needed.
After completing my two new referrals I would then do my follow up calls, I will phone patients for an update and see what further support is needed. If I have referred someone to a service and they have not heard from that service within a reasonable period of time, I would chase this up for the patient. I may also have news regarding a club or activity they may be interested in. They can update me on any benefit gains and successes they have had.
In between patient calls I update SHP on patients, have meetings with local community services and groups to develop those relationships, so we can work in partnership with them for the benefit of SHP patients and the wider community. For example, during COVID-19 I lead a project called ‘The Tree of Reflection’ that is now on display in Solihull Library. This project was aimed at helping people who had lost a loved one during the pandemic and it was an opportunity for people to come together and start a conversation about the impact COVID-19 has had on all our lives. I worked with the local council, care homes and support services to bring this project to the community, and it will be going on a tour of Solihull and its next venue is the Library in Chelmsley Wood. I also have a huge amount of administration to complete that needs to be accurate and up to a high standard, all my CAB case recording is independently audited. I work with a dedicated team at Citizens Advice who are always there to support me and the patients.
I really feel honoured to do this role. It is a pleasure to help people overcome the many challenges they face in their lives. It is a very challenging role and can be very demanding, but when a patient thanks me for the time I have given them it makes it all worthwhile. I really feel social prescribing is a great example of personalised care.
The future: As a social prescriber I am getting busier by the day and from talking to the community and SHP patients there is a real need for this service. We can help build a stronger connected community and a strong community is a healthy community.
I am also working on community projects with Citizens Advice and these are: Introducing Chatty Benches to Solihull to help reduce social isolation and to improve the mental health of our community; and The Wellbeing Line, for the most isolated people in our community. We refer patients to a befriending service, however there is always a waiting list, so we have a group of volunteers who phone the patients every week until they start receiving calls from the service we referred them to. This ensures that there is someone there if they need any help.
Patient Communication (04/03/22):
Independent Review into the access issues at Solihull Healthcare Partnership - Recommendations & Actions (Latest update:18/02/22)
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 the latest update of the action plan, can be viewed here: Action Plan - Recommendations from the SHP Access Review - Patient Update 18.02.22
For future updates on the Action Plan, visit this page.
“Cervical screening saves lives” says national campaign
Today (14th February 2022) the Department of Health and Social Care, together with NHS England and NHS Improvement, are launching a Help Us Help You – Cervical Screening Campaign, to highlight the benefits of cervical screening and remind people that that it can help stop cancer before it starts. The campaign encourages those eligible for screening - women and people with a cervix aged 25-64 - to respond to their cervical screening invitation letters and to book an appointment at their GP practice if they missed their last one.
Two women die every day from cervical cancer in England. Yet it is one of the most preventable cancers and getting screened can help stop it before it starts. Screening helps prevent cervical cancer by checking for a virus called high-risk HPV which causes nearly all cervical cancers. This is the best way to find out who is at higher risk of developing the cervical cell changes that over time could potentially lead to cervical cancer. Any cervical cell changes can be treated, preventing cervical cancer. Don’t be alarmed if you have HPV as it does not mean you have cervical cancer - it’s a common virus that most people will get at some point in their lives.
It has been estimated that in England, cervical screening prevents 70% of cervical cancer deaths and that if everyone attended screening regularly, 83% of cervical cancer deaths could be prevented.
Women and people with a cervix aged 25-64 are eligible for screening. Those registered as female with their GP practice are invited for routine screening every three years if they are aged 25-49 and every five years if they are aged 50-64. Those registered as male will need to request an appointment from their GP or a local sexual health clinic.
The campaign provides information and tips to those who may be worried or embarrassed about cervical screening. These include:
- For most, cervical screening tests are not painful. But if you are worried that you may find the test uncomfortable, remember you are in control and can ask to stop at any time.
- Discuss your concerns with your nurse, you can ask for a smaller speculum or the nurse can advise you on different positions to make it more comfortable.
- If you want to make sure a woman carries out your test, you can ask for this when you make your appointment.
- You might want to wear a skirt or dress or a long jumper, which you can keep on during the test. If you forget to do this, don't worry - you'll be provided with a disposable modesty sheet to cover yourself.
- Ask your nurse about breathing exercises, as these can help. Take a podcast or music to listen to - this may help you relax or distract you.
- Cervical screening only lasts a few minutes, and you only have to go once every 3 or 5 years depending on your age. It's a few minutes that could save your life.
For more information, visit www.nhs.uk/cervicalscreening
COVID-19 PATIENT UPDATE: (11/02/22)
In line with the easing of Government restrictions, Solihull Healthcare Partnership (SHP) will be implementing Level 3 of its COVID-19 Response Action Plan. This will ensure the safety of both patients and staff, whilst restoring and maintaining a local and responsive primary care service for our patients.
What does moving to Level 3 mean for patients?
When patients contact our carefully trained Care Navigator team, they will be asked to first discuss the reason for the call and any screening questions regarding their health concern or condition/s, so they can assess the most appropriate way to provide their care and ensure it is provided by the most appropriate health care professional.
All appointments with clinicians will continue to initially be telephone or video call appointments.
Face-to-face appointments will continue to be available to all patients where there is a clinical need and if a patient requests a face-to-face consultation they may be offered one, if appropriate, following Care Navigation.
Will I be able to attend one of the surgery sites to make an enquiry?
From Monday 14th February 2022, our surgery sites will be open from 8:30am to 6:30pm, Monday to Friday (excluding Bank Holidays), for patients to ask in person about booking an appointment, repeat prescription requests and for general queries.
A reminder that all sites are 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.
We continue to have a range of measures in place to keep patients and staff safe from COVID-19, including regular cleaning of patient areas and social distancing.
Patients are asked to continue to wear a face covering at all times while visiting us at one of our surgery sites. Although face masks are no longer mandatory in indoor public spaces, they are still compulsory in all GP practices and healthcare settings. Infection Prevention and Control requirements state that patients must continue to wear a face mask, unless exempt.
Currently suspected or confirmed COVID-19 patients are being assessed by Virtual Consultation and if necessary, referred to the Ambulatory Assessment Unit at the SHP Blossomfield Hub if a further face-to-face assessment is required.
Individuals with COVID-19 symptoms, a positive PCR test or who meet criteria for self-isolation should not attend our surgeries and continue to follow public health guidance.
Does the Level 3 mean we can’t have a face-to-face consultation?
No. All patients will continue to receive an initial telephone triage call by a clinician. The telephone triage call will be to address their healthcare needs, whether that is advice and guidance, a prescription or a referral to other healthcare professionals and services. If following this call, the clinician requires a further assessment, they will be invited for a face-to-face appointment at one of our surgery sites, as appropriate. Face-to-face appointments continue to be available for patients if appropriate and there is a clinical need.
What services will be affected as a result of moving to Level 3?
We will continue to operate the majority of services, as we have been throughout the pandemic, including consultations with healthcare professionals, immunisations, cervical screening, cancer care and chronic disease management of high risk patient groups.
As a consequence of moving to Level 3, routine appointments for planned procedures will be restored, such as joint injections, some minor operations, phlebotomy services, NHS health checks and routine face-to-face reviews.
How do patients access us?
We are still open and here for our patient population, as we have been throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, and prioritise delivering care and services based on clinical needs.
If patients need medical advice or treatment, they can call us on 0121 705 1105. Our telephone lines are open from 8am to 6:30pm, Monday to Friday (excluding Bank Holidays).
COVID-19 Vaccinations
If eligible for a first, second, third or COVID-19 booster vaccine, patients are being asked to book as soon as they can when invited. It is vital as many people as possible get protected and boosted as soon as possible. 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 delivering this programme, alongside continuing to be open and managing our patients other clinical needs.
Thank you
Our staff are working hard to provide patient services and care, and we would like to thank our patients and colleagues across the Solihull locality for their continued support, patience and understanding as our services continue to adapt and change during these challenging times.
Our primary goal is to continue to ensure both patient and staff safety, and to provide primary care services to our patient population.
Monkspath Vaccination Centre Has Moved to a New Entrance (09/02/22)
The team at the Monkspath Vaccination Centre continue to deliver the COVID-19 vaccination programme, following Government guidelines, to Solihull Healthcare Partnership (SHP) and GPS Healthcare registered patients, care homes and healthcare workers.
The Monkspath Vaccination Centre Team are continuing to make good progress with administering vaccines and by the end of December 2021 they had administered over 115,000 COVID-19 vaccines*.
We are currently inviting patients to come forward and have their first, second and booster vaccines that are due, and offering those who are 12-15 years old either their first or second COVID-19 vaccine. We have also started to invite those aged 5-11 years who are at risk or are part of a household that is immunosuppressed to receive their vaccine, as well as continuing to invite women who are pregnant to get vaccinated.
The Monkspath Vaccination Centre has also moved to its new home, behind the Solihealth Winter Access Hub at Monkspath. The same friendly vaccination team are there to welcome patients at the Vaccination Centre’s new entrance to the right of the Monkspath Surgery building and they are continuing to work hard to deliver the COVID-19 Vaccination programme.
For the latest patient information, updates and news, see our web site and social media (facebook.com/SolihullHP & @SolihullHP)
*COVID-19 Vaccines administered from 16th December 2020 to 31st December 2021
Patient Update (09/02/22):
Solihealth Winter Access Hub at Monkspath - Providing urgent, on the day appointments to patients in Solihull.
Solihull Healthcare Partnership (SHP) are part of Solihealth. Solihealth is the collaboration of the five Primary Care Networks (PCNs) that combined to make up the Solihull Locality. Solihealth is the PCN led Solihull Primary Care provider collaborative that enables delivery of whole locality based services for Solihull. Current services that we deliver at whole locality scale include specialist Dermatology service and the recently commissioned Winter Access Hub at Monkspath, commissioned by Birmingham and Solihull Clinical Commissioning Group, to provide additional same day appointment capacity through the busy winter period until the end of March.
What is the Solihealth Winter Access Hub?
Solihealth are delivering a new cross-PCN, multi-disciplinary urgent access service, commissioned by Birmingham and Solihull Clinical Commissioning Group. Appointments are booked directly by the Practice teams.
We have come together as Primary Care Networks (PCNs) in Solihull to develop this service to improve access and care for all patients under Solihealth, during the busy winter period until the end of March 2022.
The Solihealth Winter Access Hub is based at Monkspath on the previous Monkspath Vaccination Centre site, which has moved to its new home behind the Hub, and offers additional same day, urgent access appointments to patients throughout Solihull with linkage to GP records for improved continuity of care and safety.
The appointments are initially telephone first consultations booked by the GP Practice teams and Care Navigators, ensuring appropriate access to the right clinician through the most appropriate platform. If there is a clinical need, patients will also be seen face-to face at the Monkspath Winter Access Hub.
Why is this important for patients?
At this time of unprecedented healthcare needs of patients, pressure on GP practices and frustrations of patients, this service has been set up to try and improve care for the patient population in Solihull.
The overall aims of the Monkspath Winter Access Hub are;
- To improve access for our patients so they are more likely to get timely access to care and we can provide additional capacity of appointments for patients.
- The whole health and care system is under pressure. We hope to work with our partners in the wider NHS and social care to ensure patients are seen by the right person first time, avoid admission wherever possible and that we work up in a joined up way for the benefit of patients.
Who works at Solihealth Winter Access Hub?
This service has been headed up by the PCN/practice multidisciplinary teams, the PCN
Clinical Directors and the central Solihealth Team. There is a multi-disciplinary team working at the Monkspath Winter Access Hub, brought in to specifically to provide additional same day appointment capacity, and to work alongside existing practice healthcare professionals who are working extra sessions on their days off.
The Solihealth Winter Access Hub has Locum GP's, Advanced Nurse Practitioners, Care Navigators and non-clinical staff to help run the service.
Can patients access the service directly?
No. All appointments for the Solihealth Winter Access Hub are managed by the Care Navigator/Reception teams for each surgery within the PCN's.
Which patients can use the Hub?
The Solihealth Winter Access Hub at Monkspath is for Solihull Healthcare Partnership (SHP), GPS Healthcare, Rural and North Solihull PCNS. There is an additional site at Richmond Road Medical Centre to cover the South Central PCN.
How are appointments delivered?
Appointments are delivered through a combination of virtual (telephone, video) and face-to-face appointments when clinically required.
The Winter Access Hub is envisaged to add an additional 1,000 appointments a week to help manage the demands placed during the winter period, and is a 12 week service which started last month and runs until the 31st March 2022.
For the latest patient information, updates and news, visit this page on our web site, see our social media (facebook.com/SolihullHP & @SolihullHP), and for Solihealth visit https://www.facebook.com/SolihealthGP
Photo caption: Solihealth Winter Access Hub
Patient Communication (3/2/22):
We have been asked the question by a member of the Patient Participation Group (PPG) for Solihull Healthcare Partnership (SHP), the voice of our registered patients, if SHP is being sold? We can confirm this is NOT the case.
We are deeply saddened and concerned to hear that misinformation and rumours are being circulated to this effect, as they could cause anxiety, alarm and distress to patients.
We are however grateful to the official SHP PPG for alerting us so that we were able to respond and allay any patient concerns.
For the latest patient information and news, visit this 'Latest News' page on our official SHP web site and social media (Facebook: facebook.com/SolihullHP & Twitter: @SolihullHP), and by joining the official SHP Patient Participation Group at https://solihullhealthcarepartnership.nhs.uk/patient-participation-group/ or by email shp.ppg@nhs.net
IPC guidance remains
Following this week’s Government announcement that from next Thursday (27 January) face coverings will no longer be mandatory in public places, we want to remind patients that the UK Health Security Agency's infection prevention control (IPC) guidance remains in place for all staff and patients in GP practices, dental practices, optometrists and pharmacies to ensure that everyone is protected. Please continue to wear a face covering to keep staff and other patients safe when visiting our surgery sites, unless you are exempt.
A Message on behalf of Solihull Healthcare Partnership Patient Participation Group (PPG):
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.
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.
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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
Patient Information:
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)
SURGERY CLOSURE FOR TRAINING:
Solihull Healthcare Partnership (SHP) Patient Participation Group (PPG) Update:
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 joins our Board meetings on a monthly basis.
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
We welcome new members to join 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/
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