Welcome to the Pioneer, formed by the merger of Avonmouth, Bradgate and Ridingleaze surgeries. We're a friendly, multi-site teaching practice providing GP services in Bristol. We aim to provide an excellent service (patient surveys and the CQC)

There's a lot of information on the site - opening times, self-care advice, chronic disease clinics, registration forms, contact details etc. Check out our TopTenTips page to make the most of our service. For news, updates and local information do visit our Facebook page. We value your feedback. If you can't find something use the search bar on the footer of every page. If it's not here and you think it should be let us know. Click for easy read information or to request information in another format.

COVID vaccine

Update on COVID vaccine & Clots
The association with AstraZenica COVID vaccine and clots is still unclear. However, the recent advice takes an 'abundance of caution' approach to use other vaccines (no supplies locally locally yet!) for some under 30y olds for first doses.

So what has changed? Some under 30y olds will have their AstraZenica 1st dose cancelled. Anyone under 30 due a second dose of AstraZenica will have their 2nd dose as normal. The plan is for some under 30y olds to wait and have Pfizer or Moderna instead of the AstraZenica vaccine.
Picture
Excuse the amateur graphics
The vaccine priority groups
  1. Resident in a care home for older adults and professional carers
  2. 80 years & Front line health and social care workers
  3. 75 years of age and over
  4. 70 years of age and over & Clinically extremely vulnerable 
  5. Group 5 - 65 years of age and over 
  6. Group 6 - 16 to 65 years in an at-risk group
  7. Group 7 - 60 years of age and over
  8. Group 8 - 55 years of age and over
  9. Group 9 - 50 years of age and over
How do we invite you to book a vaccine?
We are working as a group of surgeries - Pioneer Medical Group, Southmead and Henbury Family and Shirehampton Group. We will invite you to book into one of our sites by text, call or letter. Wherever possible please follow the instructions in the text and book online - it really helps us to manage the workload. If you don't receive a text or can't book online, don't worry, we will call you.

You may also be invited by the NHS to one of the Mass Vaccination Centres e.g. Ashton Gate through the National Booking System. We recommend you accept the earliest invitation you receive. This helps people move through the system quickly. 
It is estimated that taken together, the at risk groups represent around 99% of preventable mortality from COVID-19. If you're in any of the above at risk groups and haven't had a vaccine - please contact the surgery.

You can find out more about the local roll-out in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire here. For those interested there is already lots of good information from the NHS about the vaccines in the public domain. For information from the Government start here. Other languages, here. Some key points: The vaccines contain a short sequence of mRNA genetic code that is carried into your cells (in different ways depending on the vaccine you are given). Your cells use this genetic information to produce a copy of the spike protein of coronavirus.
This stimulates your immune system to make a antibodies that fight the coronavirus should you encounter it in the community. The mRNA quickly degrades after it has served its purpose. There are no animal products in the vaccine. The vaccine doesn't give you COVID. The immune protection takes some weeks to develop. Even after a compete vaccination course (2 jabs) you might still catch and pass COVID so please continue to follow social distancing rules.

COVID19 - Changes To GP Services

Under the instruction of NHS England all our appointments are triaged. There is no facility to book directly into a face to face appointment. Why? Firstly, the Government have instructed us to. Secondly, anyone walking in the building that doesn't need to, poses a risk to themselves, other patients and our staff. We have an obligation to protect our staff and patients from harm. Please be assured we are still here and are still working! Personal appointments are offered on need and if we determine that you need to be seen, then you will be seen. Believe us it feels unsatisfactory having to limit face to face appointments.  Find out more on our COVID page.
For more information on COVID, self-isolating, sick notes and how to get a test follow this link to our COVID page.

Everyone, from school age up, is expected to wear a mask in the surgery.

To help us manage this additional work load, can we please encourage you to use our new, fast and easy online contact form? The form is quick to complete and asks only a few questions - what you want, how you want it and who you'd prefer to manage your contact (if they are available). Online helps us manage workload and gets you what you need without fighting past the phones. If you have a smart phone follow the link to the NHS Test and Trace App download page. We encourage all our patients to download and use the app.
Our receptions ARE CLOSED to walk ins. Please use online access or phone us. Do not come to reception to book appointments.

The NHS App

The NHS App is the recommended online access system. Book appointments. Order medications. View test results.  Read clinic letters.  Check symptoms. Change your pharmacy. Register for organ donation. Get self help advice. And much more! You can access NHS services with a web browser or by downloading the app on your smart-device (phone or tablet). You only need register once.

GetUBetter - Physio in your pocket

The getUBetter app is provided free of charge by BNSSG CCG for patients registered at Pioneer Medical Group. It can be accessed on a Smartphone or on the Web and guides you day-by-day through a sequence of exercises and tips to help you get better from a range of new or recurrent musculoskeletal conditions:
  • Lower back pain
  • Back and leg pain
  • Neck Pain
  • Shoulder Pain
  • Ankle Pain
  • Knee Pain
  • Soft Tissue Lower Limb
You will be referred to the App by one of our GPs or Physio, or you can self-register by clicking on this link or the App image
Please use an email address that is unique to you and select the condition you need help to manage. You will then be sent an email with all the information you need to get started. You can download the getUBetter App to your Smartphone for easiest access or use the Webapp If you develop another condition register again with the same email address, select your new condition and it will be added to your account. The app will also connect you to your local; treatment, healthcare providers or support services if needed like Physiotherapy.

Safe Surgeries 

​At Pioneer we understand that everyone in the UK is entitled to register and consult with a GP.  Access to health care can be especially difficult for vulnerable groups.  Migrants, including refugees, asylum seekers and survivors of trafficking experience barriers to accessing care.

We are proud to be a Safe Surgery. ​Our priority is to provide a welcoming environment for everyone in our community and an equitable service for all of our patients.

Follow link for info in various languages.
The Pioneer Medical Group are responsible for the content of this website. Please find our privacy statement here. We take no responsibility (legal or otherwise) for the content of other websites that are linked to from the Pioneer Medical Group's site.
Log a covid test result