Welcome to our Patient Participation Group (PPG)

The PPG is a group of volunteer patients who work with the Practice to decide ways of making a positive contribution to the services and facilities offered by Bradford on Avon & Melksham Health Partnership.

Who is involved?

The PPG is open to every patient registered with the Practice. All communities, groups, genders, ages, ethnicities, and disabilities representing the patient list are encouraged to join. 

The PPG currently consists of a Committee of about 9 members who meet regularly every 6 weeks (virtually) with Practice staff. The Committee act as your representatives ensuring the patient voice is heard to help the Surgery work as well as it can for patients, doctors and practice staff. 

Introduction to the PPG Committee

Sue Denmark - Chair

Alan Fox - Vice Chair

Denise Ramsay - Secretary

Purpose of PPG

To find out more about the PPG, please click here to view their information leaflet.

The PPG Constitution can be found by clicking here.

How to join the PPG?

We are continually seeking new members to join our PPG, particularly representatives from the under-18 age group, parents with young children and patients with sensory or physical impairments.

We have an established PPG mailing list managed by the Committee where you can receive regular updates from the Practice, minutes of the PPG meetings and participate in surveys. You can also contact the PPG Committee direct to share your thoughts, suggestions and feedback.

If you can’t make face-to-face meetings (once they resume), are caring for someone and unable to leave them, or are working, you can still be kept informed, give your views and participate.

To join the PPG/mailing list, you can obtain a registration form by clicking here.

Alternatively, please ask at reception for further details or telephone 01225 866611.

If you wish to contact the PPG Committee direct, the secretary's email address is:

ppgboam@gmail.com

PPG Meetings

The Practice continues to review infection control measures but at this present time all general PPG meetings in person have been cancelled.

However, the PPG Committee are currently looking at restarting the general meetings virtually and are keen to understand from patients what topics or health talks you would find interesting or beneficial.

Please give your ideas to reception or send an email to the PPG Committee direct: ppgboam@gmail.com

To gain an insight into the PPG general meetings please read the last meeting notes:

September 2019 - Annual General Meeting

Have Your Say!

You can share your feedback about the Practice (anonymously) via the Friends & Family Test (FFT) Survey by clicking here

The FFT survey results are shared directly with the Practice and PPG Committee. 

Alternatively, you can email suggestions directly to the PPG Committee: ppgboam@gmail.com 

National Association of Patient Participation

The PPG are affiliated with the National Association of Patient Participation (NAPP). 

NAPP is uniquely placed as the only UK umbrella organisation for patient-led groups in general practice.

They provide essential support to PPGs through a comprehensive range of evidence-based high quality specialist resources developed from over forty years experience and formation of hundreds of Patient Participation Groups.

For more information about NAPP click here

Carers

Unpaid carers can order PPE as needed

Posted 13.04.22

Our Older Persons Team

01225 860811/860812
Their aim is to make you feel supported, and ensure you have access to services that are right for you.

Please also click here to see letter thanking Carers from Wiltshire Council.

Are you a Carer?

A carer is someone who looks after a relative, partner or a friend who cannot manage at home without help due to a disability or illness or because they are elderly or frail.

There are estimated to be over 47,000 carers in Wiltshire alone.

Carers fall broadly into 3 groups:

• Adult carers – an adult caring for another adult such as a spouse, partner, friend or relative
• Parent carers – an adult who cares for an ill or disabled child
• Young carers (under 25 years old) – a child or young person who is carrying out significant caring tasks and assuming a level of responsibility for another person which would usually be taken by an adult

Join our Carers' Register!

If you would like to join our register of Carers, please fill out our form by clicking here and we will update your medical record.

If you need to access information on behalf of the person you care for, please complete the following form by clicking here and then posting to the Health Centre, Station Approach, Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire, BA15 1DQ or by emailing the Practice - wccg.boasecretaries@nhs.net 

Support for Carers at the Surgery

Jackie and Verity are our Practice Carers Representatives.

We can provide help and up to date information about services available to you as a carer. We also have access to appointments that can be arranged at a time that suits you.

Please call The Health Centre  on 01225 866611 and ask for 'Carers', and we will try our best to support you. . 

Practice Achieves Platinum Level Award for Carers

The Partners and staff would like to congratulate Jane & the Nursing Team for achieving the Platinum level.

Time For Care Award - formerly known as Carers Break Prescriptions

From the 1st April 2018, Carers Break Prescriptions will no longer be available through the Surgery. However, if you feel that a break may be beneficial to you, or you are feeling stressed or overwhelmed with your caring role, please contact Mimi  01225 866611 who will be able to discuss with Carer Support Wiltshire your needs and they will be able to liaise with you what break is best suited for you.

For more information regarding this service, please contact Carer Support Wiltshire on freephone 0800 181 4118 or visit the website www.carerswiltshire.co.uk               

Message in a bottle Scheme

This scheme is free to the user. Whilst it is focused on the more vulnerable people in our community, anyone can fall downstairs or have a car accident, so this scheme can benefit anyone, including you. As a minimum it will save the Emergency Services valuable time identifying you and your emergency contacts. By telling whether you have special medication or allergies or not, it is a potential lifesaver and provides peace of mind to users and their friends and families.

For more information please contact us 0121 441 4544, alternatively you can visit www.lionsclub.co

Young People Representative

Megan is the Young People Representative at the Surgery. 

Megan is here for young people to contact to ask questions about what the Surgery can do for them and to find out more information on anything that is worrying them.  As with all areas of the practice, conversations with Megan are confidential.

Megan also has information about what other organisations can do for young people and has close links with the No Worries service https://www.facebook.com/NoWorriesWiltshire

Megan can be contacted on 01225 866611.

Messages can also be sent to Megan direct by using the website feedback form.

Patient information leaflet

Please Click Here to download Megan's 'NoWorries' leaflet, which will let you know how to get FREE Condoms, FREE Chlamydia kits and find out how else the surgery can help you. 

Young People Friendly Award

Public Health have awarded the Practice with the national quality mark for Young People Friendly.

Services in Wiltshire which provide support to patients about sexual health and other problems: 

Click Here - to find out more information on Sexual Health Clinics near you.

 Click Here - to take you to the Riverside Clinic website. A clinic which offers free, friendly, non-judgemental and confidential testing, treatment and advice for sexually transmitted infections, as well as a wide range of contraceptive options including emergency contraception, contraceptive pills, implants and injections, intrauterine devices/systems (also known as coils), and condoms.

There is a continence service (for age 4-25 years old) local to you at Trowbridge Community Hospital. Please click here to download the leaflet for information.

On-line access to  your medical record

In order to view your medical record on line you will need to register for online services - click here to register 

Further information about medical record access is available here .

Consent For Others To Access Your Records

If you would like to give permission to grant another person access to your medical records,

Please click here to download the form found in the section 'Your Medical Records'.

Your Summary Care Record ( SCR ) 

The SCR is designed to  help emergency doctors and nurses help you when you contact them when the surgery is closed.For details on how this information

is shared and how to opt out if you do not wish to share information click here

The Bradford on Avon and Melksham Health Partnership handles your medical records in-line with the new regulations on data protection and confidentiality.

Our Privacy Notice explains why we collect information about you and how that information may be used to deliver care to you and manage the local

health and social care system.  Click here for a copy

The Freedom of Information Act 2000 aims to produce a culture of openness in public bodies, by providing members of the public with the right to access

information held. Please click here to download the Bradford on Avon and Melksham Health Partnership Freedom of Information Act leaflet

GP data for planning and research

For information about how the NHS uses data for planning and research click here.

To 'opt out' click here (Please note the deadline for opting out has been delayed to 1st September 2021).

Alternatively, call 0300 303 5678 (Mon-Fri 9:00-17:00 excluding bank holidays).

Text (SMS)consent 

We only send “text message appointment reminders” to patients who have specifically contacted us to confirm that they would like to receive them. Cick here  and visit the section "your medical record" 

Need to update your details? click here  to be taken to  "my record " or here to register for online services.

Patient information leaflet

Please click here

Useful Contacts

Advocacy - if you need some independent support finding an advocate might be an option for you. For more information click here

Mencap - Please click here to access the Mencap website.

Stroke Association - click here here to access the Stroke Association website.

Visually impaired - Please click here to download the Wiltshire Sight services leaflet.

Parkinsons - Please click here to access the Parkinson's uk website OR for a Parkinson's Local Advisor, who can help you with:

• Up to date information on Parkinson's
• Emotional support for you and your family
• Information about links to local services

Contact Lucy Scott, Tel 0344 228 3696, Email: Adciser9.southwest@parkinsons.org.uk

Accessible Information Standard

The Accessible Information Standard aims to make sure that disabled people have access to information that they can understand and any communication support they might need.

Do you have any particular communication preferences? For example, do you have impaired sight and therefore need us to write to you in large print?

Please make reception aware of your preferences so that we can make a note in your medical record and comply with your request.

Further information can be obtained by clicking here

New Directory of Services

Wiltshire Council in partnership with Health Watch has launched this new directory of services website, which has a wealth of information.

Please follow the link below for more information.

http://www.yourcareyoursupportwiltshire.org.uk/content/distributionform.aspx?id=16811&itemid=16811

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Wiltshire People 1st - seeking new members

Wiltshire People 1st is a self-advocacy organisation run, with support, by people with learning difficuties.  We work to make sure people with learning difficulties are treated fairly and included.

Our Young People's Group meets once a month.  It gives those aged 17-25 with learning diffculties the opportunity to meet other people and speak up for themselves about things are important to them.

For more information click here 

BOOKING TRANSPORT

PATIENT TRANSPORT TRAVEL DESK

Following discussions last year, Kennet and North Wiltshire and West Wiltshire PCTs, and Swindon PCT are now working in partnership with Great Western Ambulance Service NHS Trust to provide a Health Transport Travel Desk to arrange the requests for non emergency Patient Transport Services (PTS). This service will provide a Patient Transport Travel Desk situated within the ambulance PTS Control room and have direct access to the ambulance booking system. The service is available for an initial pilot period of 6 months.

HOW DO I BOOK TRANSPORT?

As a result of the above changes, patients are now required to book their own transport, using the following guidelines.

• If it’s your first outpatient appointment at a particular department then please call the patient transport team on 0845 120 5582 (Great Western Ambulance Service Trust). If you are travelling to the Royal United Hospital (RUH) please telephone 01225 826826.
• If it is a follow-up appointment, or you are being admitted then contact the relevant department at the hospital / treatment centre.

Please note that at least 48 hours notice is needed to book transport, therefore you should phone as soon as you get your appointment.

The service will be available between 08.00 and 17.00 Monday to Fridays and transport will be provided free of charge when the patient has a medical need.

THE LINK

A service staffed by volunteers and although there is no fare, they do ask for a donation. If you need help to attend an appointment at the surgery, the hospital or to collect a prescription, please call Link on 07957 367124 (Bradford on Avon) or 07979 129052 (Melksham) or visit their website for more information www.wiltslink.org.uk

WILTSHIRE HOPPER

For travel to and from the Royal United Hospital, Bath. There is a fare to use this service. Please arrange by telephoning 01985 212 213

WILTSHIRE COUNCIL'S BUS TIMETABLE

Comprehensive and up to date timetables can be printed from the traveline website. Please click on the following link to be taken to their page: http://www.traveline.info/

If you are unable to get hold of your timetable via this way, please phone the customer care team on 0300 456 0100.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Save the RUH Hopper Bus Service!

Connect2 provides patients with a choice of bookable journeys at affordable rates, operating Monday-Friday, from West Wiltshire and some North Wiltshire towns and villages to the Royal United Hospital (RUH) in Bath.

If you would like to support the Connect2 Bus Service then please sign an online petition to prevent this service from being removed: 

https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/campaign-to-save-ruh-hopper-bus

or contact: 

Councillors Terry Chivers, Jeff Osborn, Helen Osborn and let them know your views.

HAVE YOUR SAY!

This page is being updated

ON-LINE FEEDBACK FORM

Another way to provide feedback to the Practice is to fill out the online feedback form. Please click here to access the form.

Please only use this form for comments about the practice and suggestions as to how we can improve our service to you. Medical matters and official complaints cannot be dealt with via this form.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

MAKING A COMPLAINT

We try our best to provide the best standard of care at all times but we accept that sometimes patients or their relatives may feel a need to complain.

All complaints are taken seriously.

If you would like to discuss your complaint with us, whether it relates to any of the services we provide or the individuals providing them, please telephone us on 01225 866611.

Sometimes, you may prefer to put your complaint in writing.  This can be done by either writing a letter or completing the complaint form. You can collect a copy of the form from reception or download and print it here:

 complaints leaflet          complaints form

Completed forms should be returned to the management team at The Health Centre, Station Approach, Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire, BA15 1DQ

Advocacy

If you would benefit from independent assistance when dealing with your complaint, you may wish to gain support from an Advocate.  For more information about this, please click here.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

If you have any specific issues to raise with providers we have attached the contact details for the appropriate PALS and Complaints teams at the various providers for your use where necessary.

IMPORTANT: If you think a child or young person is at risk of significant harm, or is injured, contact the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) on 0300 4560108 (out of hours: 0845 6070 888) or if there is immediate danger phone the police or emergency services on 999.

Patient information

The practice has created a patient information leaflet to guide patients who may have safeguarding concerns, please click here

Worries about a child

Parents, children and young people,relatives, members of the community and professionals may have concerns that a child has been or might be harmed.

Some children live in circumstances where they do not receive enough basic care such as food, clothing, warmth or safety. This can cause their health and development to be neglected and harmed. Help and services are available for parents to improve the situation.

In a small number of cases, a concern may be that an adult or older child is deliberately harming a child. Sometimes, a single hurtful event may cause serious harm, for example a violent assault, sexual assault or poisoning.

Harm can also be caused by ongoing incidents, which damage the child’s physical, emotional and psychological development, for example, domestic violence.

Family life

Family life is varied and there is no perfect way to bring up a child. Parenting involves providing for a child’s basic needs, keeping them safe, showing them warmth and love.

Children need the support of their parents, family and community to grow up and help them achieve their full potential.

A wide range of services and professionals provide support to families so that their children grow and develop successfully, especially in relation to their health and education.

Parenting can be challenging. All parents may at times feel they need to talk about worries they have about their child. This can feel difficult, but making sure a child is safe, healthy and growing up successfully sometimes needs the support of others.

Seeking support not only helps the child but can also strengthen the family and community and is a positive step.

Advice and Support for Parents

Teachers at your child’s school and health visitors and doctors at your local health centre can all help provide more information about where to find the right support for you and your child. Asking for advice early on can lead to you receiving the right support and services.

Services are free and all parents, or people caring for a child, can seek help and advice. You can also find out what help is available for children who have disabilities, children with long term ill health, school problems, bullying and children with special educational needs and children who are young carers.

Arranging extra support

If you would like services from a number of different agencies talk to your teacher, health visitor or doctor. You should be invited to be involved in the assessment of your child’s needs. This is called a Common Assessment and it helps the people supporting you to understand what services you and your child need and how all the agencies can work together in the best way.

You can also get help and information, in confidence, about problems related to pregnancy, parenthood, housing, ill health, depression, alcohol or drug problems or domestic violence.

Vacancies

To arrange an informal discussion about any of the roles advertised below, please email wccg.boamhppracticemanager@nhs.net or contact a member of the management team on  01225 866611.

We’re always on the hunt for the best talent around. If you’re interested in working with us, but can’t see any roles available right now, we’d love for you to register your interest. Please email wccg.boamhppracticemanager@nhs.net