Practice Newsletter Winter 2024

Welcome to the winter edition of our newsletter for Cowfold and Partridge Green patients.

CHRISTMAS OPENING AND CLOSING INFORMATION
Cowfold and Partridge Green surgeries will be closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day. We will be open as normal on Christmas Eve, Friday 27th December and New Year’s Eve.

MEDICATION REQUESTS IN TIME FOR CHRISTMAS
Please note your must order your medication BEFORE 17th DECEMBER for collection before Christmas. Any requests made after 17th December will not be ready until the week commencing 30th December. If you run out of medication when we are closed, please contact NHS 111 or your local Pharmacy.

SURGERY NEWS!
Christmas is approaching and this year we have decided to hold 3 Christmas Jumper Days in aid of The Henfield Haven which is based in Henfield and is a safe haven for Henfield and surrounding villages. They offer high needs dementia care, carer support, friendship and company for those who are isolated and it is all run by a fantastic team of volunteers. The Christmas Jumper Days will be on Thursday 12th December, Wednesday 18th December and Christmas Eve so if you are attending either Cowfold or Partridge Green surgeries on these dates, we would be very grateful for any donations. Thank you.

PATIENT PARTICIPATION GROUP

This year we have had 4 Patient Participation Group meetings and have been very happy to welcome new members to the group. Going forward we will be meeting across the next year to work together to help both the patients and staff to provide a good service for our patients. Our next meeting is on Tuesday 21st January at 6.30pm at Cowfold Surgery. If you would like to join the PPG, please contact Louise McMeeking our Deputy Practice Manager or tell one of the Reception team. We look forward to seeing you.

DIGITAL TELEPHONE SYSTEM
We are aiming to install our new digital telephone system at the beginning of January. This will benefit patients when the system is up and running but we expect a few teething problems along the way. Our Reception team will need training for the new system so we ask again for your patience and kindness when you telephone to book an appointment.

PLEASE BE PATIENT AND KIND TO ALL OUR STAFF

Everyone here at Cowfold Medical Group is working hard to support our community but sadly our staff are increasingly experiencing rudeness and abuse from patients which is very unpleasant when they are just trying to do their job. Demand for appointments is high and we appreciate it can take a while to speak to a member of the Reception team, but we ask that you be patient and more importantly – be kind. Any behaviour, verbal or physical which causes our staff to feel uncomfortable is totally unacceptable and will not be tolerated. Many thanks.

PATIENT CHOICE FOR REFERRALS
The NHS is offering more options to enable you to make choices that best suit your circumstances and giving you greater control of your care. If your GP needs to refer you to hospital you have the right to choose the hospital or service you would like to go to. When you are referred our Admin Team will choose 5 possible hospitals for you to be seen. You will then receive a letter, email or message through the NHS App with instructions on how to book your appointment. If you do not have the internet there will be a telephone number on your
letter that you can telephone to book. Most people want to be seen at the nearest hospital. Some people would want the shortest waiting time. If you choose a hospital which is not local to you, please bear in mind that all your clinic appointments and treatment will be at that
hospital going forward.

AWARENESS MONTHS 2025
JANUARY

Dry January

Why do Dry January??

Going alcohol free for the whole month can bring huge obvious benefits. What will you notice? See your skin get brighter, your wallet fuller and your days busier. Feel your step get bouncier, your mind calmer and your mornings fresher. Most people who do Dry January see a whole host of obvious benefits that make Dry January the perfect start to the New Year.

FEBRUARY

Time to Talk Day – 6th February 2025

Time to Talk Day is a day for us all to start a conversation about mental health. Talking about mental health isn’t easy but a conversation has the power to change lives. There is no right or wrong way to talk about mental health but these tips can help:

Ask Questions and Listen

Think about the time and place, sometimes it is easier to talk side by side rather than face to face. If you do talk in person, you might want to chat while doing something else. You could start a conversation while walking, cooking or even when you are stuck in traffic.

Don’t Try and Fix It

It can be hard to see someone you care about having a difficult time. Try to resist the urge to offer quick fixes to what they are going through. Learning to manage or recover from a mental health problem can be a long journey. They have likely already considered lots of different tools and strategies. Just talking can be really powerful so unless they have asked for advice directly, it might be best just to listen.

LOCAL CHRISTMAS EVENTS

The Christmas tree in Cowfold is up and looks fantastic. Don’t forget the Cowfold Christmas Arts and Craft Market this Saturday 7th December at The Allmond Centre.

Scrooge the Musical by the Henfield Theatre Company will be playing at The Henfield Hall on 9th, 10th January at 7.30pm and 11th January at 1pm and 6pm.

Carols and Christmas Music with Surrey Brass at St Mary’s Church, The Causeway, Horsham on Saturday 7th December at 7.30pm. Tickets £15.

From everyone at Cowfold Medical Group, we want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy New Year. Thank you so much for your continued support.