Practice Newsletter January 2026

As we begin a new year, we would like to wish all our patients a happy and hopeful 2026. We know that winter can be challenging time, and we want to reassure you that our team is here to support you.  The past year has been a busy one for our Surgery and for our colleagues. By working closely with other local providers, we have continued to adopt services to meet the needs of our community during a period of ongoing NHS pressures.

We would like to thank our patients for your patience, understanding and kindness towards our staff over the past year. Your support makes a real difference.  As we look ahead, we remain committed to providing, safe, compassionate care for our community.

Change of Practice Name

The practice has been working on a re-branding project to foster a unified identity across both of our sites with an aim to make patients feel part of “one big family” regardless of location. A new practice name and logo have been designed for the practice.  The practice has applied to the ICB to realign its geographical boundary to reflect historical patient distribution. With several partners now in place, the practice also seeks to mitigate the current mismatch where patients with historical ties live outside the technical boundary and family members are prevented from joining.  Watch this space for news to follow when we have the outcome from the ICB to approve the changes.

New Partners:

We are pleased to announce that we have two new partners that have joined the practice during the last year:

• Dr. Ghulam Shabir has been a valued member of our team for four years, initially joining us as a locum GP. His dedication to our patients has led him to take on an increased commitment, and he will now be more involved in the management and clinical leadership of the practice.
• Dr. Hetul Shah brings a fresh perspective and new ideas from his five years as a GP Partner in North London. We are excited about the experience he brings to our team.

Breast Screening:

Breast screening is a way of detecting breast cancer, often at a very early stage. It involves X-rays called mammograms.

If you are aged 71 or over, you will not automatically be invited for breast screening. However, you do have the right to free screening every 3 years if you ask. All you need to do is phone or write to your local breast screening unit to make an appointment. Visit NHS.UK to look up details of your local unit.

DNA Numbers:

November:      392 – 3.3% of our available appointments.

December:      461 – 3.7% of our available appointments.

Please help us to maximise appointment availability by contacting us as soon as you know you will be unable to attend your scheduled appointment.

Minor Illness Appointments:

Did you know that you don’t have to visit the GP for Minor Illness or for Contraception.   The Minor Illness Pharmacy Scheme (launched in January 2024), also known as the Pharmacy First Service, allows patients to receive treatment for minor ailments from the pharmacies without the need of a GP appointment.  They are also able to prescribe antibiotics and other treatments where required.

A number of conditions can be treated by this service including:

Coughs and colds

Sore Throats

Ear Infections

Ache and Pains

Some Skin Conditions

Visit the NHS website to learn more.

Pharmacy Service for Oral Contraception:

The service now includes ongoing monitoring and supply of oral contraception prescriptions, initiation of oral contraception and supply of oral emergency contraception.

NHS App Services:

Using this App will allow you to view your medical records and other information.  You can also:

• Request repeat prescriptions
• Check your test results
• Read messages from the NHS

You need to be over th age of 13 year and registered with your GP.  Setting up an account is straightforward on your telephone, tablet or computer – polease follow the link:  NHS App and your NHS account – NHS.

Some of our Administration Team are Digital Champions who would be able to help and support you with setting up this service. 

Patient Participation Group (PPG):

Wootton Vale & Shortstown Surgery would like to extend a sincere thank you to all patients who have expressed an interest in joining our Patient Participation Group (PPG).  We hold bi-monthly meetings and actively listen to patient feedback to help shape and improve our services wherever possible.

If you would like to get involved, please complete our online Patient Participation Group registration form Patient Reference/ Participation Group Registration – Wootton Vale & Shortstown Surgery or alternatively pop into the surgery.

We particularly welcome patients who live outside the immediate Wootton and Shortstown areas (for example, Wixams), as communities further from our sites are currently under-represented. We are keen to ensure that all patient voices are heard.