Welcome to Abbey Medical Practice
With patients' needs at the heart of everything we do, our website has been designed to make it easy for you to gain instant access to the information you need. As well as specific practice details such as opening hours and how to register, you’ll find a wealth of useful pages covering a wide range of health issues along with links to other relevant medical organisations.
A tech issue, thought to be caused by an update to CrowdStrike security software, is causing major issues worldwide
The above has affected primary care. Patients are advised to contact Pharmacy first for minor ailments, NHS 111 for acute problems.
In a genuine life threatening emergency you should call 999. Chest pains and / or shortness of breath constitute an emergency.
2024 GP Patient Survey
Have your say on the way your local GP services are working
Around 2.5 million people, aged 16 and over, who are registered with a GP practice in England will receive an invitation to take part in Europe’s biggest patient experience survey in early January. The answers we get help the NHS to improve local health services for people like you and your family. It is important that we hear about your experiences even if you haven’t visited your GP practice recently, or if you have filled in a questionnaire before.
The invitations go out mostly by letter to a random selection of people who have been registered with their GP practice for at least 6 months. The survey team at NHS England will follow this up with a text message reminder (where a mobile number is available) to encourage as high a response rate as possible.
If receive a survey invitation, please do take the time to take part. It provides vital information to the NHS to identify what’s working well and what can be improved. It helps to identify inequalities in experience too, as the results can be analysed across different protected characteristics.
If you want to check out how your practice faired in last year’s survey, take a look at the survey website: https://gp-patient.co.uk/practices-search
Important News for Parents and young adults !! To ensure children of Barking & Dagenham (B&D) are protected and minimise Measles outbreaks within the borough, registered B&D patients can access their MMR vaccination at their GP or within Enhanced Access (EA) Hub Service.
For more information, please see: Routine Childhood Immunisations
GP Out of Hours Appointments
GP appointments are available seven days a week; this includes weekday evenings, weekends and bank holidays. When a surgery is closed, people across north east London can call NHS 111 to book an out of hours appointment.
Christmas Doctor Drop-in Extravaganza for Children & Families event 21.12.23 11am -4pm at the Barking Learning Centre
Wait Well, Stay Well Patient Site
Earlier this year, NHS NEL launched a website for NHS patients, to help them manage their health and wellbeing, called ‘Wait well, Stay well.’ The website is designed to provide useful information and links to local and national resources to help people manage their own health and wellbeing whist they wait for hospital treatment.
It includes the following information for patients:
- How to maintain your physical health
- How to look after your mental health
- Being prepared for surgery
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Links to routine waiting time information by specialty/Trust
- Other resources including links to local and national organisations and Royal Colleges.
Patient Access to Medical Records
Do you have a joint or muscle problem?
Please use the FREE getUBetter app designed and written by your local clinicians in North East London - BHR. It offers local? tips, advice, and exercises tailored to you and your stage of recovery.
- Instant access
- Easy to use
- Safe and effective
Your healthcare professionals cannot be with you 24/7, but getUBetter can.
For more information please visit our services section above.
DID YOU GET YOUR FLU VACCINE ?
To check your availability for a free flu jab please see below -
- Those aged 65 years and over.
- Those aged 6 months to under 65 years in clinical risk groups
- Pregnant women.
- All children aged 2 or 3 years on 31 August 2023.
Flu vaccine for people with long-term health conditions
The flu vaccine is offered free on the NHS to anyone with a serious long-term health condition, including:
- respiratory conditions, such as asthma (needing steroid inhaler or tablets), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including emphysema and bronchitis
- diabetes
- heart conditions, such as coronary heart disease or heart failure
- being very overweight – a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or above
- chronic kidney disease
- liver disease, such as hepatitis
- neurological conditions, such as Parkinson's disease, motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis (MS), or cerebral palsy
- a learning disability
- problems with your spleen, for example, sickle cell disease, or if you have had your spleen removed
- a weakened immune system as the result of conditions such as HIV and AIDS, or taking medicines such as steroid tablets or chemotherapy
NHS England have changed the criteria again this year and so those aged 50-64 who were entitled to a free flu jab last year, are not entitled to a free vaccination this year. If you are in this age group and not in one of the at-risk groups mentioned above, then you would need to attend your local chemist to pay for one.
Talk to your doctor if you have a long-term condition that is not in one of these groups. They should offer you the flu vaccine if they think you're at risk of serious problems if you get flu.
Flu vaccine if you're pregnant
You should have the flu vaccine if you're pregnant to help protect you and your baby.
It's safe to have the flu vaccine at any stage of pregnancy.
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For more information please visit - Flu vaccine - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
To book your appointment you can do this by contacting our Reception Team.
Risk of Measles outbreak in Barking & Dagenham
Measles cases are rising in London. The virus is highly contagious and infects the mouth, nose, throat and lungs, causing severe disease which can result in complications and even death. There is no cure and vaccination is the only protection to prevent a Measles outbreak. Our GP records show your child has incomplete routine childhood immunisations. MMR video: https://bit.ly/3DSF5Ze
Join MyWay Digital Health & NHS England for their BRAND NEW Type 1 course!
Understanding Type 1: Carb Counting & Tech. MyWay Digital Health in conjunction with NHS England, are delighted to offer a BRAND NEW online course covering all you need to know about carb counting and type 1 technology!
🗓 When? Course opens on Monday 4th September. Complete the course in your own time before it closes on Monday 18th September.
Questions? Join the live Q&A sessions on ZOOM where you can find out more from a team of diabetes experts:
⏰Tuesday 12th September @ 6pm
⏰Wednesday 13th September @6pm
Links included in the course materials! Open to those with type 1, their family, friends, carers and healthcare professionals.
Enrol today at understandingtype1.mydiabetes.com
Barking and Dagenham Practices are celebrating NHS 75. Join us for a Park walk and picnic on 22nd July. For more information, please click: Parkwalk
Help us to improve stroke services in north east London
Your local NHS is working to improve care services for people who have had a mini stroke (known as a Transient Ischaemic Attack or TIA) or a stroke. Please complete short online survey which is open to anyone living in Barking and Dagenham, Havering, Redbridge, Tower Hamlets, Newham, Waltham Forest, City of London and Hackney. This survey can be completed by anyone, whether they have experienced a stroke or not.
UPDATE ON COVID-19 VACCINATION:
Exciting Announcement!! FREE online course: Understanding Type 1 Diabetes:
MyWay Digital Health are thrilled to announce new dates for their FREE online Understanding Type 2 Diabetes course. This comprehensive course is designed for individuals with type 2 diabetes, as well as their friends, family, carers, and healthcare professionals. It's the perfect opportunity to develop your understanding and provide vital support to your loved ones.
Course Details: Start Date: 14th June
Duration: Complete at your own pace
Registration: Open now at understandingtype2.mydiabetes.com
Course Duration: Wednesday 14th June at 7am until Monday, 19th June at 5pm (BST)
But wait, there's more! Join live Q&A sessions on ZOOM, where diabetes experts will answer any questions you have about type 2. Join them at 6pm (BST) on both 14th and 15th June!
Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to expand your knowledge & gain support. Register now at understandingtype2.mydiabetes.com!
A non-judgemental space for women and girls who have experienced sexual assault, harassment, or abuse.
Targeted Lung health Check:
The NHS is diagnosing more patients with cancer at an earlier stage than ever before. In 2021-2022, over 100,000 patients were diagnosed with cancer at stages 1 or 2 when it's easier to treat – the highest proportion ever. A Lung Heath Check is offered free to people aged 55-74 who have ever smoked, as part of the national NHS Targeted Lung Health Check Programme. It finds out how well your lungs are working and aims to rule out any serious conditions. Often, early problems with the lungs do not cause any symptoms, so it is important to attend even if you are fit and healthy.
If you live in Barking and Dagenham, are aged 55-74 and are a smoker, or have previously been a smoker, you will receive a letter inviting you to an initial telephone appointment with the lung health check team.
For more information, please see the links below which explains the lung check and scan:
What to expect when an ambulance visits you
The London Ambulance Service have coproduced new resources to support people with a learning disability or autistic people when using the ambulance service. These resources are designed to help to know what to expect when an ambulance comes to see you including assessments. Please check the links below:
Easy read: https://www.londonambulance.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Easy-read-document-When-an-ambulance-comes-to-help-you.pdf
Social story: https://online.fliphtml5.com/jbhej/fihy/#p=1
Video without subtitles : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PiIIFlBWZ3k
Video with subtitles: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMfU4XUZxB0
For more resources, please visit LAS website: Calling us - London Ambulance Service NHS Trust
Barking and Dagenham School-aged Immunisation Community Clinics
Barking and Dagenham School-aged Immunisation Community Clinics
Latest from Abbey Medical Centre
- We are collecting Winter Coats and Jackets to donate to the Salvation Army to be distributed to those who need them most in this cold weather. Please check for any unwanted items and bring them to Abbey Medical Centre! @salvationarmyuk
- We have started a new initiative here at Abbey Medical Centre to support our community. We are collecting donations for our local food bank, the Trussell Trust. We would appreciate all your help with this. Please see the poster below for a list of the items we are collecting @TrussellTrust
TELEPHONE STATISTICS
Please see the attached latest Telephone Statistics for May -Oct 2023, including average waiting times, length of calls, and total calls received/ answered.
May 2023 June 2023 July 2023 Aug 2023 Sep 2023 Oct 2023 NOV 2023 DEC 2023 JAN 2024 FEB 2024 MAR 2024 APR 2024
Scarlet fever - Guidance for Parents
Scarlet fever and invasive Group A strep Leaflet for patients
Carer's Newsletter
Please see attached the latest newsletter for November 2022
Carers Newsletter Nov 2022
Staff Training days - Surgery will be closed in Afternoons
We are closed from 1.00pm every 1st Tuesday of each month, for Staff Training and Latest Barking & Dagenham Healthcare Updates.
The next Training dates for 2023 are:
Tuesday 3rd January
Tuesday 7th February
Tuesday 7th March
Tuesday 4th April
Tuesday 16th May
Tuesday 6th June
Tuesday 4th July
Diabetes advice
If any of your diabetes patients want to fast during Ramadan, please discuss with them the safest way to do this or encourage them to speak to their diabetes nurse. Diabetes UK has lots of advice on fasting and managing diabetes during Ramadan, including tips on healthy eating and a factsheet in English, Arabic, Bengali and Urdu. Note that there is an exemption from fasting for people with diabetes, especially for those on insulin or who have any medical complications.
Taking prescribed medicines
If a patient is taking prescribed medicines, they should continue taking them during Ramadan. Please check with them if the doses need to be adjusted or the times that they take them need to be changed.
Attending medical appointments
If a patient has a medical appointment booked during Ramadan, it is very important that they attend. If they need to adjust the time of the appointment, please advise them to contact the relevant healthcare organisation to do so.
Advice on illness while fasting
The British Islamic Medical Association advises that if someone becomes unwell during Ramadan, they should stop fasting and seek medical advice. We are advising people to do this by visiting 111.nhs.uk or their GP practice’s website or if they don’t have access to the internet, by calling 111 or their practice directly.
Please note: Fasting is not considered compulsory for many groups – including people who are unwell with a physical or mental illness or have a long-term condition; people who are very frail; people with learning difficulties; and women who are pregnant, breastfeeding or menstruating. In addition, those with increased risk of contracting Covid-19 should consider alternative options to fasting.
Covid-19 vaccination
A spring booster Covid-19 vaccine is now being offered to those aged 75 and older, as well as other clinically vulnerable people. We are encouraging people not to delay having their spring booster vaccine during Ramadan, when invited.
Last year the British Islamic Medical Association reviewed the analysis of Islamic scholars and confirmed that having the Covid-19 vaccine does not invalidate the fast. The vaccine does not contain pork or other animal, foetal or alcohol products – this reflects the advice of the majority of Islamic scholars that it is permissible. First, second or first booster doses of the vaccine are still available for anyone who has yet to have them.
If a patient develops symptoms of Covid-19 while fasting, we advise that they stop fasting, self-isolate and get tested – refer to the British Islamic Medical Association’s statement on having a lateral flow or PCR test during Ramadan. If they are worried about their symptoms or are not sure what to do, we advise they visit 111.nhs.uk/covid-19 or speak to their GP practice.
Useful resources
GP videos on managing diabetes and medicines during Ramadan, plus advice about Covid-19 vaccinations. Available in English, Arabic, Somali, Sylheti and Urdu
Diabetes UK advice on fasting and managing diabetes during Ramadan and factsheet in English, Arabic, Bengali and Urdu
Diabetes UK tips on healthy food and drink choices during Ramadan
Muslim Council of Britain Ramadan advice and health factsheet
British Islamic Medical Association and Muslim Council of Britain Ramadan Safety Guidance
British Islamic Medical Association statement on fasting and taking a Covid-19 lateral flow or PCR test
British Islamic Medical Association statement on fasting and the Covid-19 vaccinations
British Islamic Medical Association’s Covid-19 vaccine hub – statements
British Islamic Medical Association’s Covid-19 vaccine hub – answering the myths.
Barking and Dagenham diabetes programme tackling health inequalities wins 2022 HSJ Partnership Award
It was a big night for North East London at the HSJ Partnership Awards, which recognises the most effective collaborations within the NHS, with a win for a diabetes project commissioned by NEL CCG and a Barts Health project being highly commended.
The innovative diabetes education programme that is supporting people in Barking and Dagenham took home the trophy for Most Impactful Project Addressing Health Inequalities. The award was given for the ‘Reducing Variation of Care and Outcomes Particularly as it Relates to
Socioeconomic, Cultural or Racial Determinants’ project, which aims to reduce health inequalities by taking a person-centred approach to providing diabetes care through one-to-one phone and video sessions with diabetes specialists and dieticians from the local community, educational materials and via an NHS-approved smartphone app.
Dr Anju Gupta, Barking and Dagenham, Havering and Redbridge Diabetes lead for NEL CCG comments: “We are humbled to have won this award, and to have our innovative programme recognised in such a prominent way by colleagues in the wider NHS family.”
“Diabetes is primarily self-managed by people at home and the aim of our programme was to empower them by providing personalised support and tools to better manage their condition. We know that the uptake of diabetes education is particularly low among people from ethnic minority groups, which contributes to the health inequalities that already exist in these communities. To help make the care we provide as accessible and engaging as possible, the dieticians on the programme came from the local communities and they delivered the support in 22 different languages. We now plan to use our learnings from this project to inform our approach to tackling health inequalities in diabetes across all of North East London.”
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank Dr Jagan John, our NEL CCG GP Chair, who provided invaluable support to me and the programme team when we were bidding for the funding for this project and for his ongoing advice.”
The successful projects from North East London are listed below with full details of all the winners available on the HSJ website.
Winter Contingency Plans
The winter months see significant pressures put on the healthcare system due to extreme bad weather, flu epidemics and higher patient demand. To avoid additional strain on local A&E provision, patients are advised to make greater use of NHS 111 Services and Extended Hours Hubs, as well as local pharmacies and walk-in centres.
VACCINATION AGAINST MENINGOCOCCAL DISEASE FOR ADOLESCENTS - MenACWY vaccine
Meningococcal disease can affect all age groups, but the highest rates of disease are in children under five years of age, with the peak incidence in those under one year of age. there is a second peak in incidence in young adolescents aged 15 to 19 years. It is this second group that we are targeting for the MenACWY vaccine, and eligible patients will be contacted by the surgery.
a short video on this can be viewed on https://www.envisage-media.info/video/1210/men-acwy-vaccination-2017