News

The new Total Triage Access system for all patients

On 6 May we started operating a "total triage" access model, driven and accessed via the new "Accurx" digital request form (at top of the main home page).  The main benefits are that it removes the 8am rush and any need to ring or visit the Surgery and can be accessed anywhere via a Smartphone, tablet or laptop etc. 

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

This change is directed by NHS/Mid Essex ICB and the duty GP will review all clinical requests, allocating appropriate appointments to the most appropriate clinical staff.  The admin team will take all admin/non-clinical requests for action.   All requests will be formally responded to within 72 hours of receipt.  Many practices across mid Essex and the UK have adopted this model and early feedback from all has been very positive, v soon after the changes were introduced for patients and staff alike.

As mentioned above, staff will be on hand daily to assist those patients unable to use or access smartphones, tablets and laptops etc.  Please use the links below to bring up more information on how the new model will work.   

Thank you to the volunteers from our Patient Reference Group (PRG) who helped patients in the Surgery during the first week of transition.

Total Triage at New Folly Surgery

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

May 2025 Public Holidays

The Surgery will be closed on the following dates in May for the recognised public holidays; for all urgent care issues when closed, please use the NHS 111 Service and/or the Pharmacy First services locally at Shadforths Ingatestone or across Essex.  Please ensure you get your repeat medication requests in a week before these closed dates - thankyou.

Monday 26 May 2025 - reopening on Tuesday 27 May at 8am

Using your NHS App

Have you got your NHS app loaded on your Smartphone?  if not please do download it from your relevant "app store" to your smartphone (if you have one).

When loaded it allows you access the new ACCURX digital request form for all appointment and service requests as well as a wide range of patient information, services, results and other patient specific data that takes away the need to call or visit the Surgery, really making time for you and saving that call or visit.

Medical Students from Anglia Ruskin University (ARU)

On 28 April we will welcome Ines, Joshua and Amirah, the final set of Y5 students for this academic year for their 4 week placement, similar as above.  We also have our first year PA Student Louisa working and training with us each Wednesday until August and welcome Carla back in June to complete her Y2 PA placement before fully qualifying as a Physicians Associate. 

We also have a senior school work placement student for the week of 19 May.

Dr S Chatterjee

Just a note that Dr Chatterjee is now back at the Surgery on a reduced phased return to work programme, working 2 sessions a week until fit enough to resume her normal 4 sessions along with the other GPs and clinical team.

Important Surgery Dates

• UPCOMING DATES MAY AND JUNE 2025
•  
• Monday 2 June - our new Advanced Nurse Practitioner (Michelle) joins the surgery team
• Tuesday 3 June - surgery closed from 1pm for NHS Mid and South Essex ICB staff training (reopening at 8am Wed 4 June)
• Wednesday 23 July - next Patient Reference Group Meeting (PRG) from 1845-2000 - all welcome.
•  
• When the Surgery is closed for the monthly Time to Learn training sessions, phones are diverted to the 111 service.

Essex Dementia & Alzheimers updates

Local Dementia Services Leaflet for PLWD.pdf

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

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

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

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

Community Dementia Workshops

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

 Community Dementia Workshops.pdf

Blood Pressure at home Calculator

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Essex Carers Noticeboard (updated each month)

EWS Carers Noticeboard_B&B_Mar2025.docx

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

Carers Voices

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

Carers Voices March 2025.pdf

GP Consulting & Transcribing Software used at New Folly Surgery

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

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

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

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

Accessing new Radiology Reports via the NHS App

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

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

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

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

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

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

X-Ray Bookings online via Swiftqueue

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

X-ray bookings via Swiftqueue

Respect to our staff and other patients

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

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

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