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General Surgery Info

In line with the Government’s announcement, the NHS is aiming to offer every adult the chance to book a COVID-19 booster vaccine by the end of the year. This means our practice is now prioritising the booster rollout.

As part of this, some of our routine services may be stood down temporarily to allow us to focus on protecting as many patients as possible.

We are still there for anyone who may need care for an urgent need, but would ask for patience as we support this key national priority over the coming weeks. We hope to be able to stand back up any services as soon as possible and will update this page as soon as we know more.

Please don’t forget there are many services available for you, depending on your condition. These include:

  • Self-care – This is the best choice to treat minor illnesses and injuries such as hangovers, coughs, colds, grazes, small cuts or sore throats. Many of these can be treated at home, simply with over-the-counter medicines and plenty of rest.
  • Pharmacy – Pharmacists can give advice on and treat a range of symptoms. They can support you with things such as diarrhoea, earaches, painful coughs, sticky eyes, teething and rashes.
  • NHS 111 – You can access 111 online or via the telephone. This is for any urgent but non-life threatening health concerns. They will be able to signpost you to the relevant service and provide advice where appropriate, or book you in to an Urgent Treatment Centre.
  • A&E / 999 – You should only attend A&E or dial 999 in a life-threatening emergency such as severe bleeding, breathing difficulties and severe chest pain.

Digital Health Day will take place at all MMP surgeries ( you will be notified via text when your surgery will be doing the digital health day): Bridging the Gap in Data Poverty

Data Poverty continues to be a significant concern; the lack of access to digital resources and information hindering individuals from fully participating in the digital world, affecting people in different areas of daily life from managing their health, finances, staying connected to friends and family, education and so much more. Increasingly access to the internet is essential. Unfortunately, for many it is also unaffordable, with needing to prioritise other household bills over the cost of data.

For patients and staff at Midland Medical Practice (MMP), the implications of data poverty in the realm of healthcare are profound. In an age where online platforms and applications play a crucial role in accessing medical information, booking appointments, and even participating in virtual consultations, those facing data poverty find themselves at a disadvantage. The inability to harness the full potential of digital health tools hampers their ability to manage health conditions.

To support our patients, our MMP Patient Engagement Group (PEG) hosted a Digital Health Day at Erdington Health Centre with the aim to bridge the digital gap for patients and staff by providing essential resources and support. One of the highlights was providing free SIMS and mobile data to vulnerable people in need and enabling them to be connected online 

As part of the Digital Health Day, the MMP PEG assisted patients in registering for and accessing the NHS App and Systems Online. The event also raised awareness about Long Covid and introduced patients to the Multiply program. 

Multiply is a numeracy support program designed to enhance numerical skills among adults. Much like digital literacy, numeracy is an indispensable skill, contributing to employment opportunities, effective health condition management, and accurate medication dosage calculations.

Salim Shaikh, the new MMP PEG Chair, said “The Digital Health Day was a huge success and it is great to help so many patients with free data sim cards. Access to the internet is essential and we really hope that this important initiative will help MMP patients to manage their health and do much more online. We look forward to rolling out the Digital Health Days to other MMP sites.  The MMP PEG would welcome support from patients interested in becoming part of the MMP PEG. For further details please do contact your local surgery”. 

Hafsha Dadabhai Shaikh

MMP Greener Practice

At Midlands Medical Partnership we believe in promoting health not just within our community but also for our planet. That’s why we are participating in the “Greener Practice” initiative. Being a green practice means that we are dedicated to reducing our environmental impact and contributing to a sustainable future.

What Does a Greener Practice Mean?

A Greener Practice focuses on delivering high-quality healthcare while minimising our environmental footprint. This involves making conscious choices in every aspect of our operations to reduce waste, lower carbon emissions, and promote sustainability. Our aim is to improve the health and well-being of both our patients and the environment.

Our Initiatives

  1. Reducing Waste: We are committed to reducing waste by using digital records, recycling materials, and minimising single-use plastics. This helps decrease the amount of waste that ends up in landfills.
  2. Sustainable Prescribing: We prioritise prescribing medications that are environmentally friendly where possible and promote the use of reusable inhalers and other medical devices.
  3. Energy Efficiency: MMP is focused on energy-saving measures, such as using energy-efficient lighting and equipment, to reduce our carbon footprint.
  4. Eco-friendly Office Practices: We encourage the use of digital communication, such as emails and SMS, to reduce paper use. When printing is necessary, we use recycled paper and eco-friendly inks.
  5. Patient Involvement: We would like to engage with our patients to raise awareness about environmental health and encourage practices to promote sustainability in their daily lives.

Why It Matters

Environmental health and human health are closely connected. By reducing our environmental impact, we are contributing to a healthier planet, which in turn supports the well-being of our community. Climate change and pollution can directly affect our health, leading to respiratory conditions, allergies, and other health issues. By taking action now, we can help reduce these risks for current and future generations.

How You Can Help

We invite our patients to join us in this journey towards a greener future. Here are a few simple steps you can take:

  • Reduce Waste: Consider using reusable bags, bottles, and containers.
  • Recycle: Properly dispose of recyclables and reduce the use of single-use plastics.
  • Use Active Travel: try to Walk, cycle, or use public transport if able to
  • Support Sustainable Prescribing: Discuss environmentally friendly medication options with your healthcare provider.

Together we can make a difference for our health and the planet.

PROOF OF COVID VACCINATION

The UK Government have released detailed guidance on demonstrating your COVID vaccination status.

You can access your COVID-19 vaccination status through the free NHS App from 17 May. You can access the app through mobile devices such as a smartphone or by tablet. Proof of your COVID-19 vaccination status will be shown within the NHS App. If you are travelling abroad, we recommend you register with the app before booking international travel.

If you do not have access to a smartphone and know that the country you are travelling to requires COVID-19 vaccination status, you can call the NHS helpline on 119 (from 17 May) and ask for a letter to be posted to you. This must be at least 5 days after you’ve completed your course of the vaccine. We expect the letter to take up to 5 days to reach you.

Further guidance can be found here – https://www.gov.uk/guidance/demonstrating-your-covid-19-vaccination-status-when-travelling-abroad

Do not contact your GP surgery about your COVID-19 vaccination status. GPs cannot provide letters showing your COVID-19 vaccination status.

MMP During the Current Coronavirus Pandemic:

Vaccinations Update

Coronavirus Vaccination  -People aged 65 and over, carers and pregnant women, in the West Midlands are being urged to book their autumn COVID booster to top up their protection ahead of winter.

MMP patients are currently able to book online or over the phone for an appointment at our dedicated vaccination clinics, All Saints and Erdington Medical Centre.

As with previous campaigns, those most at risk will be called forward first, with people also able to book in online or through 119 as long as it has been three months since their last dose.

 

Roz Lindridge, the NHS England director responsible for overseeing the vaccination programme across the Midlands, said:

“There is no room for complacency in keeping COVID-19 on the backfoot, and the autumn booster will help protect those most at risk. This winter will be the first time we see the real effects of both COVID and flu in full circulation as we go about life as normal – and so it is vital that those most susceptible to serious illness from these viruses come forward to benefit from the vital protection that the autumn booster provides.”

Those eligible over the coming weeks, include over 50s, those with a weakened immune system and housebound people, in line with guidance set out by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).

From 10th October onwards, MMP will begin to rolling out this year’s flu vaccine, with eligible people able to get their flu and COVID jab at the same time at our dedicated vaccination centres.

Patients looking to book 1st, 2nd or first booster are also invited to call to book into one of our dedicated clinics or online through the national booking system .

Read the latest JCVI advice on priority groups for the COVID-19 vaccination on GOV.UK

General Update

This notice explains how you get access to the GP services run by MMP during the current coronavirus pandemic.

As you are aware the Coronavirus pandemic continues and as such restrictions apply across many parts of society currently.

The NHS response is aimed at minimising risk, preserving Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) supplies and preventing harm to patients and NHS staff.

To protect everyone, walk-in access to GP surgeries is currently being restricted to reduce the spread of Coronavirus.

Following advice from NHS England and Birmingham & Solihull Clinical Commissioning Group, the primary method for patients to currently access the surgery will be virtual appointments (telephone/video) in the first instance followed by face to face consultations at selected MMP surgeries in a controlled manner.

Notice To All MMP Patients – How to access your GP

 

As part of our response to COVID-19 and in light of the increased transmissibility of the new variant, Omicron, we have made some key changes to how we are currently working. The measures described below are in line with national guidance and ensures we can continue to provide care whilst keeping our patients and staff safe.

All appointments will now be telephone or video based first, with face-to-face appointments offered where there is a clinical need to do so. This helps to ensure that patients are only attending the practice in person if absolutely necessary, keeping everyone as safe as possible.
When you call to book an appointment, you may be asked a series of questions around what you’re calling for. This will be to ensure you are directed to the most appropriate service or health professional for your condition, so please do provide as much detail as you can.
For those who are invited to attend our practice in person, please be assured that we are continuing to follow strict infection control and social distancing measures to keep you as safe as possible. As part of this, we ask that you wear a face covering at all times whilst in the practice. If you have any COVID-19 symptoms, have received a positive PCR test result or if you meet the criteria for self-isolation, please do not attend.

Given the significant demand our services are currently experiencing, and following the national ask to clinically prioritise the most urgent services such as vaccines, urgent care, immunisations, cancer and high risk patients, some of our routine services may not be available as quickly as you are used to. We apologise for any inconvenience but assure you that we are working hard to provide care in the safest and most effective ways.
Don’t forget, you can download the NHS App or use online services for things like prescriptions or other healthcare needs. You can also use 111.nhs.uk or call 111 for urgent but non-life threatening concerns. Your local pharmacy is also available to support with minor conditions or to provide further advice.

For vaccine or COVID testing queries, you can call 119 where a trained call handler will be able to support you to book vaccine appointments, including boosters, or get a free PCR or lateral flow test. For more information on the services 119 provides visit the NHS website or for more information on vaccination clinics near you, visit the Birmingham and Solihull COVID vaccine website.
These measures will be reviewed on a regular basis and as soon as it is safe to do so, we will return to offering more face-to-face appointments. We thank you for your patience.

Midlands Medical Partnership

 

Access to your GP

We are currently following a system that has been advised by Birmingham & Solihull CCG based on a Red, Amber, Purple, Green site structure.

MMP surgeries are OPEN for your health care needs. The way in which you can access us has changed. This is to keep you safe and ensure we can continue to deliver all your healthcare needs throughout this period. All your requests for healthcare appointments are now being triaged over the phone/video and assessed by a clinician as to the safest and most appropriate way to provide your healthcare needs. We offer telephone appointments, video consultations and face to face appointments.

The surgery where your face to face appointment may take place has changed so we can maintain high levels of infection control, keeping you and our staff safe. We ask you only to attend a site with a pre-booked appointment wearing a face covering and follow instructions at the entrance where your temperature will be checked and a few simple questions are asked.

This is where patients who have COVID-19 symptoms will be invited for an assessment. There are 7 sites across Birmingham & Solihull CCG covering all localities.The North locality Red site is based at Northcroft on Slade Road in Erdington and operated by Badger on behalf of MMP North PCN surgeries. The Central locality Red site is based at Greet Medical Practice on Percy Road in Greet and operated by Smartcare Federation on behalf of MMP Central PCN surgeries. Access to Red sites will be in a controlled manner.

This is where patients who have NON COVID-19 symptoms will be invited for a face to face assessment after a virtual consultation with a GP who then agrees a face to face assessment is clinically necessary.  The following MMP surgeries are currently amber sites:

  • MMP Eaton Wood Medical Centre is the Amber site for the North MMP PCN surgeries
  • MMP All Saints Medical Centre is the Amber site for the Central MMP PCN surgeries

Access to Amber sites will be in a controlled manner.

This is for Non-urgent routine care which will be coordinated centrally and patients will be invited to attend. This type of care includes baby checks, immunisations, flu vaccine, smears, blood tests, wound dressings, B12 injections and other nursing care. The following MMP surgeries are currently Purple sites: 

MMP North PCN surgeries: 

  • MMP Eaton Wood Medical Centre 
  • MMP Erdington Medical Centre 

MMP South PCN surgeries:

  • MMP All Saints Medical Centre 
  • MMP Old Priory Surgery 

Access to Purple sites will be in a controlled manner.

The green branch sites are currently closed to direct patient access in order to protect patients and staff. All staff at Green sites are working to meet the needs of MMP patients by virtual appointments (telephone/video), and if a face to face consultation is considered necessary by the GP you will be invited to attend either a Red, Amber or Purple site based on the clinical assessment. The following MMP surgeries are currently Green sites:

For prescriptions please ensure you have nominated a pharmacy for electronic prescriptions. This can be done either at the pharmacy of your choice or by the surgery via phone.

If you have any questions please contact your local Site Lead Officer or e-mail midlandsmedical.partnership@nhs.net

Useful Links

 

For more information regarding Coronavirus please visit:

https://www.birminghamandsolihullcovidvaccine.nhs.uk/

https://www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/coronavirus-covid-19-uk-government-response

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus

Other Surgery Details:

MMP-Patient Newsletter

Please note that people in the 50-64-year old age group will not be vaccinated until November and December, providing there is sufficient vaccine, and no appointments will be offered for this age group until then. This is to ensure that those who are most at risk are vaccinated first.  If you are 50-64 and you are in one of the other groups which is eligible for the flu vaccination, for example you have a health condition which puts you at risk from the flu, you will be invited earlier.

If you call your local surgery when the phone lines are closed, you will be presented with the following two options:

Option 1 – will direct you to the MMP Telephone Hub where you can book appointments and make other admin queries
Option 2 – will direct you to Badger Out of Hours who for clinical issues will assess for same day treatment

Should you wish to visit a reception desk in person to book an appointment or make an admin query the following MMP reception desks are open on a Wednesday afternoon:

Eaton Wood Medical Centre
Erdington Medical Centre
Dudley Park Medical Centre
Jockey Road Medical Centre
Kingsmount Medical Centre
Broadmeadow Health Centre

Should you wish to visit a reception desk in person to book an appointment or make an admin query the following MMP reception desks are open on a Thursday afternoon:

Eaton Wood Medical Centre
Erdington Medical Centre
Dudley Park Medical Centre
Jockey Road Medical Centre
Kingsmount Medical Centre
All Saints Medical Centre
The Old Priory Surgery
High Street Surgery
Stratford House Surgery

For sites that are closed on a Wednesday or Thursday afternoon only, you can book an appointment to see someone at any of the other MMP sites that are open or at our MMP North and South hubs during extended access appointments.

MMP operates a Practice Development Time programme where all sites close for 4 afternoons per year (one per quarter).
During these Practice Development Time programme sessions ALL MMP sites will be closed.
If you call your local surgery during Practice Development Time sessions, you will be presented with the following two options:

For MMP Saltley and Fernbank Medical Practice telephone operating hours, please refer to surgery page. 

Please refer to individual surgery pages for opening times.

 

MMP operates extended access appointments via MMP North and MMP South Hub sites.

MMP North Hub operates from Eaton Wood Medical Centre and offers appointments Mon-Fri 6.30pm-8.00pm and Sunday 8.30am-10.30am.

MMP South Hub operates from All Saints Medical Centre and offers appointments Mon-Fri 6.30pm-8.00pm and Saturday 8.30am-10.30am.

If you would like to book an appointment at either site during Extended Access please speak to a receptionist.

MMP Saltley Health Centre offer enhanced access appointments weekly on Saturdays, 9am-5pm.

MMP are offering Video Consultations to patients and this method is replacing most face to face appointments for the foreseeable future and certainly under the current circumstances.

Video consultations allow you to speak/see a clinician using the camera of your smartphone, tablet or computer.  To book an appointment please call your surgery who will book you into see a clinician.

You will receive a text message on your phone from the clinician with a link which takes you to the consultation page. Please be aware this is a secure and tested process

MMP are still registering patients at the following sites:

If you would like to register with any of the practices listed above please click on the link http://www.mmpmedical.com/register-with-mmp/

As a result of a contractual change with NHS England and a national spine IT issue out of our control, Midlands Medical Partnership (MMP) is set up nationally as 1 lead site. You may notice that letters you receive from hospitals will have Erdington Medical Centre as your listed surgery and a doctor from Erdington Medical Centre as your GP. Please be aware that this is an administrative entry and rest assured that you are still registered at your chosen MMP Surgery. Your GP will remain the same and will receive all your hospital correspondence. Community nursing teams and other service providers may query your surgery or GP when making contact with you, e.g. when scheduling appointments. Please ask them to refer to the ‘about us’ section on our website (mmpmedical.com) where they will be able to read this statement. If you have any issues please ask the provider to contact your GP surgery.

From 1 April 2015, practices are required to allocate a named, accountable GP to all patients

If you wish to be told the name of your named, accountable GP, please ask the receptionists when you are next in the surgery. For convenience your named, accountable GP will be called your ‘usual GP’.

Please note: there is no need to telephone the practice for this information.

If you express a preference as to which GP you have been assigned, the practice will make reasonable efforts to accommodate this request.

Having a named GP does not prevent you seeing any other doctor in the practice. Your named GP will not be available at all times and if your needs are urgent, you may need to discuss them with an alternative doctor.

All clinicians will have full access to you medical records when dealing with your needs

Please note all MMP surgery fax machines have been switched off as per contractual obligations. Each MMP site is contactable via e-mail, these can be found on the surgery page.