News Page

Important Notice About Influenza

Due to the increasing number of influenza cases, we kindly request that patients with respiratory symptoms wear face masks during their appointments. Masks are available at the reception upon arrival.

Influenza is highly contagious and can easily spread through coughs and sneezes, remaining on hands and surfaces for up to 24 hours. To help prevent the spread of flu, please:

Wash your hands frequently with warm water and soap.
Consider getting a flu vaccination if you haven't already. This will protect not only yourself but also those around you.

Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our community healthy.

Click here for information on how to treat flu yourself

Scam Warning

Beware of Impersonation Scams

Impersonation scams happen when someone tricks you into making a payment by pretending to be from a trusted organisation, such as your GP, the police, your bank, a utility company, or even a government department.

The Practice accept payments for non-NHS work i.e. medical reports, private medical examinations etc. but WE WILL NEVER ASK FOR YOUR BANK DETAILS.

If you're unsure who you're speaking to on the phone, it's best to hang up and call the organisation back directly using a trusted number. This way, you can be certain you're talking to the right person.

Stay Safe from Health and Medical Fraud

With so many fake health products available online, it's crucial to be extremely careful when considering any new medicine or healthcare product. Always proceed with caution and do your research to protect yourself.

You can report a scam to Lincolnshire County Council using the following link: Report a scam – Lincolnshire County Council

Alternatively, you can:

call Citizens Advice on 0808 223 1133
report it to Action Fraud or call 0300 123 2040
pass on your knowledge to friends, neighbours or relatives

If you know the scam has come from abroad, report it to econsumer.gov.

NHS Health Checks

For individuals aged 40 - 74

Take charge of your health with our comprehensive NHS Health Check! Designed for everyone in this age group, our health check includes a blood test, blood pressure measurement, and lifestyle questions to help you understand your risk of developing chronic diseases in the future.

Our goal is to empower you with the knowledge and tools to prevent potential health issues and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

We offer convenient appointment times in the mornings, afternoons, and evenings, with each session lasting 20-30 minutes.

Don't wait—call our reception today to book your appointment and take the first step towards a healthier future!

You Said. We Did!

You Said	We Did!
I want to know more about the Practice but English is not my first language and I struggle with the website	We have created a brand new page on our website where we now offer our Practice Leaflet in alternative languages. This means that all the information about our Practice, from how it was founded all the way through to the services we offer today, are now easily accessed by simply clicking "download". Printed copies are also available at reception by request.
My child can't sit in a noisy waiting room - it's is too distressing	We have set up a Calm Corner. Available for patients with learning disabilities or autism, who may wish to sit away from the busy area of the waiting room. We hope that this new area will help those who need a calm space to wait to see a GP or Nurse feel more at ease. Ear defenders are also available at request.
I don’t understand the NHS App, I need help!	Since February 2024, we have held three NHS App Help Sessions. Our admin staff are available to offer help to any patients wanting to get set up on the app, but required assistance. Please phone reception to book an appointment, where you can sit one-on-one with a member of our team.
I can’t get through on the phones to book an appointment.	We have allowed more access to appointments by offering SystmOnline accounts, where you can access appointments online. We also promote the NHS App which allows you to manage your appointments and patients are able to text the Practice to cancel unwanted appointments. We have upgraded our phone sysytem to add a callback facility so patients can be held in the phone queue and the system will call them back when they get to number 1 to save them holding on the phones.
I’m struggling to read your newsletter because the font is too small.	Our quarterly patient newsletter has had a full makeover and has been made more accessible to our patients. It is sent to patients via text with a link, but there are also printed copies available in the waiting room for those who prefer the paper version. The font is now a minimum of size 12. You can easily zoom in on the electronic version to enlarge any text or images. We provide audio recordings on the electronic version, for anyone who may struggle with their vision or reading.
I need to book a smear appointment, but I don’t have time to wait in a queue on the phones.	We now offer set clinics for smear tests. A whole clinic specifically for smears! This means we will send you a link directly to your phone when you are due. Using this link, you can access the appointment list and select a slot that is convenient for you. No need to phone the practice, and no more queueing. This is also available for asthma reviews.

Nursing Homes

Nursing Homes Alignment

Care Homes provide an important role in supporting our local people to live better in communities. The NHS has a vision of enhanced care and support to Care Homes as part of bringing the Care Home sector into the wider NHS family. As part of this service GP surgeries are being aligned with specific Care Homes to promote consistent good relationships between GP Practices and Care Homes. It is the aim of the service to improve the quality of care for patients who reside in Care Homes.

Birchwood Medical Practice is aligned to the following Care Homes:

St Clare's Care Home LN6 0QT

White Gables Care Home LN6 5SA

Swallow Lodge LN6 8UZ

The Orders of St John Care Trust - Hartsholme House LN6 0EA