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Pioneer Medical Group News
Welcome to the new Pioneer Medical Group formed by the union of the Avonmouth, Bradgate and Ridingleaze surgeries. Watch this space for larger announcements. Check out our Facebook page for more frequent and up to date offerings.
April News - Carer's Surgeries
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Who are the appointments for?
Family or friend carers. A carer is a family member or close friend looking after someone (adult or child) who has a disability, long term health condition or drug/alcohol addiction. The carer may or may not live with the person they care for. What will happen at the appointment? The carer will be able to talk about their caring role, find out about help and support that is available to them and complete a carer’s assessment which may result in a carers payment. When and how long are the appointments? An appointment will last about 45 minutes. They are available at; Ridingleaze on Thursday afternoon in the fourth week of the month and Bradgate on Friday morning in the fourth week of the month Who runs them? A carers support officer from Carers Support Centre which is a voluntary sector organisation funded by Bristol City council to support carers. Book an appointment at the reception desk. |
BBC Radio Bristol
Did you hear our feature on the radio? Emma Britton interviewed two of our team - Sharron Norman and Elaine Lunts - on her weekday breakfast show on Monday the 5th of March.
The feature highlighted our outstanding CQC rating and patient focused ethos in a series featuring outstanding organisations "on the top of their game". We are pleased to say that we were used as an example of one of Bristol's outstanding organisations. The feature was aired at around 0720h. Listen in at 50minutes into the show to hear more. It's great to be recognised for our hard work on a local level. Have you had a good experience at the surgery? Or perhaps you haven't? We are always keen to get your feedback. Please feel free to leave us your thoughts with our friends and family test. |
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Urgent Care Team
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Did you know we have an urgent care team? With winter now bedding in we all hear reports in the news warning of the crisis ahead for the NHS with demand outstripping supply.
As your GP service we feel that pressure too with a steep rise in demand for appointments. Much of this is driven by viral respiratory illnesses affecting children, asthmatics, long term smokers and the elderly. The Pioneer urgent care team comprises a collection of healthcare professionals working together to help service the unpredictable, on the day demand. Their work comes from multiple sources; hospital discharges, Out of hours handovers, 111 reports, urgent home visit requests, follow up from A+E attendances, patient with acute illness able to wait for routine pre-booked appointments etc etc. Urgent care teams are by no means a routine feature of general practice. We consider ourselves trailblazing in this regard. The team comprises two duty GPs, nurse practioners, a paramedic, care coordinators, consulting GPs and admin support. In a typical working day the team will manage around 150 - 200 patient contacts. These represent the on the day demand which is over and above the many hundreds of pre-planned face to face appointments, calls and messages managed daily by the Pioneer team. Please pay your part to protect the medical services from overwhelming demand. Before visiting A+E or your GP use our self help resources or take advice from 111. A sizable proportion of appointments could easily be managed with self care or a visit to the local pharmacy. As the CCG puts it – right care first time! Use the Service Finder App to direct you to the nearest and most suitable NHS service to meet your needs. |
MPs congratulate Pioneer on Outstanding achievement
We have been making waves in the houses of parliment with commendations from the health secretary, Jeremy Hunt MP and our local parlimentary representative Darren Jones MP. We've had a letter of congratulation from the health minister Jeremy Hunt (below) and a welcome visit from our local MP, Darren Jones. Darren can be seen here with some of our GPs and patient participation members. Follow the link to his twitter feed. Click on the images to enlarge,
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Your Named GP
Some may have noticed that their named GP has changed. This has happened as some of our GP’s have moved between sites (Dr Taylor has moved to Ridingleaze and Dr Cooper has moved to Avonmouth). Your named GP will have overall responsibility for the care the surgery provides to you with, but this does not prevent you from seeing any GP in the practice at any of our sites. If you have any concerns or would like to request a specific named GP please speak to the reception team. We will try to accommodate your request if we can, but we can't guarantee to give you your chosen GP.
CQC are inspecting the Avonmouth site - 17th and 24th of May
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Why are they visiting Pioneer?
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Dr Shouls retires from the partnership
After many years as a single handed GP at the Avonmouth surgery Dr Shouls joined forces with the Bradgate and Ridingleaze surgeries to form the Pioneer Medical Group. Having established a secure future for her patients and the surgery Dr Shouls has made the decision to retire from the partnership. Dr Shouls intends to continue her practice as a general practitioner, working as a locum in the Bristol area. We would like to take the opportunity to congratulate to Dr Shouls on her retirement.
Christmas is finally here!
Our Christmas newsletter is available to download and read. Thank you all for your patience during this year. We have come and long way and we are grateful to you all for your support.
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Sustainability and Transformation - What do you think?
In common with health and care organisations throughout England, Bristol CCG have been working with partners across Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire to develop a Sustainability and Transformation Plan.
Once completed the plan will set out how health and care services will work in partnership to develop plans that will enable us to continue to meet the health needs of our local population at a time of increasing demand and constrained resources. Visit the CCG website to find out more. If you would like to comment on the summary, or be notified of opportunities to get involved fill out the feedback form. |
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The Pioneer Recruitment Drive is on again
We're recruiting again! Spread the word. We are looking for GPs, Nurse Practitioners and reception staff. Check out our recruitment pages for job profiles and application details.
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Lead Researcher Dr Thornton shares his results
One of our Pioneer doctors, Simon Thornton, has been leading research exploring the career choices of future medics. Dr Thornton has a special interest in academic primary care and the teaching of future GPs. He works at the Avonmouth site.
Simon recently had his research results discussed in the industry news magazine GPonline. Follow the link to read it for yourself: http://www.gponline.com/third-students-put-off-gp-career-due-institutional-slang-medical-schools/article/1411390 |
Breastfeeding Friendly Practice
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The Pioneer Medical has just been designated a breastfeeding Friendly practice. We aim to Support mothers to initiate and maintain breastfeeding and uphold a woman’s right to breastfeed. Mothers are free to feed in our waiting areas and clinical rooms. We will also do our best to accommodate a request for a private area if you prefer. |
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More great news from the Pioneer Group.
The Pioneer Medical Group have won two of NHS England’s South West Primary Care innovation awards.
The award scheme is run by NHS England to showcase and celebrate innovation and share examples of how primary care is responding to the many challenges facing General Practice. The award aims to spread examples of best practice in the South West region through the Academic Health Science Network. We came first for merger of the Year *and* first for the infrastructure award for best use of technology. We are very pleased and we offer no apologies for shouting about it! |
STOPtober
We're not nagging ..... but ......
There are only days left until STOPtober. Stopping a smoking habit is just about one of the best ways to improve your health and life expectancy. Book in with one of our stop smoking advisors now. We can offer the full range of smoking cessation products on prescription. If you have a friend that smokes why don't you offer to sponsor them to STOP for charity?? If you want to find out more about STOPtober, smoking cessation services or the benefits of stopping visit the website by clicking this link or on the image oposite. |
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Prescribing budgets
The NHS faces momentous financial pressures. We are all living longer and surviving illnesses that only a few decades ago were untreatable. As a result many more of us live with chronic diseases on multiple medications. The prescribing budget for the Bristol CCG is a fantastically big number. In order to help keep the NHS on track we have been tasked with helping to save the Bristol area a whopping £3.8 million. Many medications are prescribed by brands when they don't need to be. This makes the drug companies huge profits with no additional theraputic advantage over other equivalent products.
You may that some of you medication brands change. We take advice from a specialist pharmacist who gives us advice on the most cost effective brand. Any changes will be highlighted on your prescription. Please be reassured this makes no difference to how well the medication works. If you have any problems with brand changes please discuss them with your usual GP.
You may that some of you medication brands change. We take advice from a specialist pharmacist who gives us advice on the most cost effective brand. Any changes will be highlighted on your prescription. Please be reassured this makes no difference to how well the medication works. If you have any problems with brand changes please discuss them with your usual GP.
Award Winning Staff
We are pleased to announce that our three new pioneering doctors joining Avonmouth surgery; Dr Duncan, Dr Thornton and Dr Watson, have all won prestigious awards at the Severn GP excellence awards. Dr Duncan won the global health award, Dr Thornton won the education award and Dr Watson won the academic/research award.
Dr Duncan
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Dr Thornton
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Dr Watson
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Cancer Awareness Roadshow
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The Cancer Awareness Roadshow is helping to beat cancer across the UK by talking to people about the disease.
The teams of nurses speak to the public about ways to reduce their risk of cancer through lifestyle changes, and about the importance of early diagnosis and going to the GP promptly. The roadshow comes to Pioneer Avonmouth on Thursday the 6th of October |
We have some fantastic news to share!
We are pleased to share this news article from the Evening Post. Bradgate Surgery (part of the Pioneer Medical Group) came second of all the Bristol practices in a patient satisfaction survey. An amazing 96% of patients were satisfied with the treatment they received.
Bradgate Surgery is ranked in the top ten surgeries in Bristol as voted by patients
We would like to thank you for your patience while Bradgate, Ridingleaze and Avonmouth surgeries merged. This process is now complete. You can now be seen at any of our three sites by a doctor, nurse or health care assistant. This gives you more flexibility when booking appointments. Appointments can be booked on line, by phone or in person. If you want a password for our online services please bring photo ID to recption.
Bradgate Surgery is ranked in the top ten surgeries in Bristol as voted by patients
We would like to thank you for your patience while Bradgate, Ridingleaze and Avonmouth surgeries merged. This process is now complete. You can now be seen at any of our three sites by a doctor, nurse or health care assistant. This gives you more flexibility when booking appointments. Appointments can be booked on line, by phone or in person. If you want a password for our online services please bring photo ID to recption.
August Bank Holiday Chemists
Please see the document below for chemists that will be open over the August bank holiday weekend. Do remember to make sure your cupboards are stocked with the essentials. To access a GP appointment over evenings, weekends and bank holidays call 111 free of charge from any landline or mobile. For minor ailments visit the pharmacy.
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NHS FGM campaign
Female genital mutilation (FGM) is a procedure where the female genitals are deliberately cut, injured or changed, but where there's no medical reason for this to be done. It's also known as "female circumcision" or "cutting", and by other terms such as sunna, gudniin, halalays, tahur, megrez and khitan, among others. FGM is usually carried out on young girls between infancy and the age of 15, most commonly before puberty starts. It is illegal in the UK and is child abuse. It's very painful and can seriously harm the health of women and girls. It can also cause long-term problems with sex, childbirth and mental health. Help and support is available if you've had FGM or you're worried that someone may be at risk. Click this link to find out more including a video explanation.
NHS England campaign to cover up in the sun
Jobs at Pioneer Group
The Pioneer Medical Group is proud to report that one of our surgeries has been voted by patients to 2nd place on the list of best GP practices in Bristol. Follow the link to read the report at the Bristol Post website.
Jobs at Pioneer Group
We are looking for reception staff. If you are interested please see our recruitment page.
We have completed the merge
All three Pioneer Medical Group sites now use the same fully integrated IT systems. As a result you are able to consult at any of the sites. In accordance with NHS England's vision of a General Practice service fit for the future, we are able to provide unprecedented convenience in access to GP services spanning the North and West region of the City.
Bloods on evenings and weekends
For those of you who work and struggle to get to us in office hours - along with the extended hours appointments we offer - we now have access to blood tests in the Tuesday evening, Thursday evening and Saturday mornings. These slots are available at the Westbury-on-Trym surgery, Ask at reception when booking your blood tests if you wish to access them.
Meningitis C vaccine changes
The vaccine has been so successful at reducing the rates of infection that it is being partially withdrawn from the vaccination schedule. It will no longer be given at 3 months of age. The dose given at 12 months will remain. See here for more information.
Bradgate Site Trees
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In February one of the trees on the perimeter of the car park came down in the high winds of storm Imogen. We have considered the risk of another tree falling and have taken the decision to fell the remaining trees. This has not been an easy decision but the risk of a tree falling into the car park or onto the main road is too great to take. In an effort to keep our site green, cherry trees will be planted at the back of the surgery to replace those that have been felled.
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Minor Ailments Scheme
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The minor ailment scheme improves access and choice for people with minor ailments via your local pharmacy. The scheme povides advice and over the counter medicines (free if you are exempt form prescriptions) without the need to visit the GP practice. This scheme also applies for children for some conditions.
Conditions include head lice, cold sores, warts, athletes foot, diarrhoea, piles, hayfever, insect bites, threadworm and thrush. Click on the image for more information |
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Electronic Prescriptions
While we wait for patient database mergers the Avonmouth and Ridingleaze sites will be unable to send prescriptions electronically. All prescriptions will be printed on green paper until June.
The Summer is Coming
At last we all say! Are you asthmatic? Do you suffer with hayfever? Many asthmatics find their asthma worsens in the hayfever season. If you are prescribed preventer inhalers or antihistamines make sure you use them.
Technical Issues
There is much work going on behind the scenes to update IT systems and combine patient databases to form the new Pioneer Medical Group. As a result there will be short periods of down time. Please offer out apologies if you experience any inconvenience.
