Practice Updates

0-5 years full

0 - 5 Years Journey

Wiltshire Together have launched a new 0 - 5 Years Journey webpage that provides helpful information, guidance and advice to help you navigate yours and your child's journey from pregnancy to starting school. 


Published on 13th Nov 2024

NHS talking therapies poster

Couples Therapy for Depression


Published on 13th Nov 2024

Skydive

Update to Private Work

As of September 2024, we will no longer be able to provide pilot licence medical assessments or GP letters/certificates for participation in activities which fall under the extreme sports category, such as diving, skydiving, parachuting, bungee jumping, marathons, etc. This private work is above the standard NHS requirements for our practice and as such, it has been decided that we cannot provide this service to our patients due to the medical legal implications and risk involved as GPs are not covered by medical indemnity.


Published on 25th Sep 2024

Lodge Surgery results

2024 National GP Patient Survey

The Lodge Surgery is delighted to share the results of the 2024 National GP Patient survey.

You may compare the results our patients gave regarding the experience they’ve have at Lodge Surgery, with both National and Wiltshire ICS figures.

We would like to thank those patients who completed this survey in February 2024.

 To view the full report for any surgery , follow this link https://www.gp-patient.co.uk/


Published on 9th Aug 2024

Plane

FEAR OF FLYING

With the holiday season in full swing, we have received a number of queries regarding the prescription of sedative drugs to alleviate a patient's fear of flying. 

The Lodge Surgery does not prescribe Diazepam for a patient’s fear of flying. There are a number of very good reasons why prescribing this drug is not recommended that can be found on this leaflet.

We appreciate that fear of flying is very real and very frightening. Another approach is to tackle this properly with a Fear of Flying course run by the airlines.


Published on 24th Jul 2024

Wheelchair

Red Cross Wheelchair Service

The Red Cross are making changes to their mobility aids service this month to a direct-to-customer home delivery service. Customers will now need to book a wheelchair via their website or phone line rather than attending in person and delivery will be made direct from their hub. The wheelchair hire service at Swindon will therefore cease. 

https://www.redcross.org.uk/get-help/hire-a-wheelchair

Phone: 0300 456 1914 


Published on 26th Jun 2024

Diabetes Week

Diabetes Week 10 - 16 June 2024

Diabetes Week is a week to make some noise, raise awareness and shout about the things that matter to people with diabetes, shining a light on what it’s like to live with day in, day out. 
 
This year, we want to talk about the health checks you need when you have diabetes.

We know life with diabetes can feel like number, check and test overload. You might feel fine, or feel like you don’t have the time. Or maybe you’re not sure what checks you should be getting. But these regular diabetes health checks are vital to keep you healthy, so you can continue living life to the full.

Find out how you can get involved here, and if you have any questions, get in touch by emailing diabetesweek@diabetes.org.uk


Published on 12th Jun 2024

Coeliac poster

Coeliac Awareness Month 2024

May 2024 marks Coeliac Disease Awareness Month. 

Coeliac disease is a condition where your immune system attacks your own tissues when you eat gluten. This damages your gut (small intestine) so your body cannot properly take in nutrients.

1 in 100 people in the UK have coeliac disease, but only 36% are diagnosed. That leaves a staggering 500,000 people suffering with unexplained symptoms. 

Please follow the below link to see details of the Coeliac Awareness Campaign running throughout May, offering lots of activities ranging from raising general awareness of coeliac disease in press and on social media, to advice on gluten free living, and a Facebook live cookalong.

Coeliac Awareness Month - Coeliac UK


Published on 9th May 2024

DNA poster

Have you booked an appointment you no longer need or can’t attend?

Don’t forget to cancel it so your GP surgery may offer the appointment to someone else – not only will you help us reduce our number of missed appointments, but you’ll also help someone else be seen more quickly!

You may cancel by:


Published on 1st May 2024

Alzheimer's Society poster

CST Programme

Alzheimer's Society will be running a Cognitive Stimulation Therapy Programme for patient's diagnosed with Dementia, in the early and mid-stages.

It will commence on Thursday 30th May and be held at Salvation Army, Foghamshire, Chippenham, SN15 1HB. 

The sessions will be held for 14-weeks, once a week on Thursdays at 10:30am. Each session will last for 45 minutes.

Patients will be able to self-refer by contacting Alzheimer's Society on 01249 443469 or emailing them at wiltshire@alzheimers.org.uk

To find out more information on Cognitive Stimulation Therapy, please visit the the following link:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30092585/


Published on 1st May 2024

No worries poster

No Worries!

No Worries! is a young people's sexual health and contraception service for Wiltshire residents aged 13-24 years old.

The Lodge Surgery offers this confidential service.

You just need to ask for a ‘No Worries!’ appointment at reception and you will be able to see a practice nurse, on the day, during surgery hours.

Services available are:

  • Emergency hormonal contraception (EHC) / Emergency copper coil (IUD) - depending on your preference
  • Free condoms and condom demonstration
  • Pregnancy testing
  • Chlamydia self test kits and treatment available for patient and partners
  • Advice and support around sexual health

Confidentiality

We offer a free & confidential sexual health service, you do not have to be registered at the surgery.

We would only share your information with other professionals to protect you or others from serious harm. 

We would always try to discuss this with you first.

If you have any questions about confidentiality, please feel free to speak to the nurse or your doctor.


Published on 1st May 2024

hands

Priority Services Register (PSR)

The Priority Services Register (PSR) is a free UK wide service which provides extra advice and support, including when there is an interruption to your electricity, gas or water supply. 

 

You are eligible if you: 

  • have reached your state pension age 
  • are disabled or have a long-term medical condition
  • are recovering from an injury
  • have a hearing or sight condition
  • have a mental health condition
  • are pregnant or have young children
  • have extra communication needs (such as if you don't speak or read English well) 
  • need to use medical equipment that requires a power supply
  • have poor or no sense of smell 
  • would struggle to answer the door or get help in an emergency 

 

If you have a different reason and want to see if you are eligible, or if you are eligible and want to register, follow this link to find out more. 


Published on 1st May 2024

New Phones

Telephone System Upgrade

We are excited to inform you that we have upgraded our telephones to a new cloud-based system.

Patients will benefit from several new features including:

• Patient Callback, which allows the patient to hang up, save their place in the queue and automatically receive a call back from a receptionist when they reach first position. This saves patients both time and money by shortening the call.
• Patients will now be able to identify calls from the surgery more easily as our number, 01249 479809, will be displayed.
• The telephone number you are calling from will automatically retrieve the relevant patient record linked to that number, which will speed up the care process.
• Patients also have the option to navigate to the right team for their query, whether it's for an appointment booking, a referral, a private report or a prescription query.
• Better quality lines for clearer conversations.
• Call recording of all calls, for staff training and development.

Our staff have received full training however, we would ask patients to be patient while we transition to the new system.


Importantly, our telephone number has not changed.

We hope and expect patients will experience a more efficient and user-friendly service.


Published on 1st May 2024

Sleepstation

Are you struggling with your sleep?

Sleepstation is a clinically validated sleep improvement programme that’s free to access for NHS patients in this area. Their expert sleep team provide personalised guidance and one-to-one support. Most people see positive changes in their sleep within 3-4 weeks.
 
Sleepstation’s team of sleep coaches, doctors and sleep experts will help you understand what’s causing your sleep problems and give you all the support you need to get better. Register at https://bit.ly/3VF5LUh

Published on 1st May 2024

NHS App GP

Access to Medical Records

An exciting development in the NHS app has now been released giving patients aged 16 and over automatic access to their medical records. Patients are able to view coded entries, free text notes from appointments as well as test results and letters. This means that you can find your blood test results and you can read the notes entered by a clinician during a consultation. Please note that only your GP record is available, not hospital or other records.
 
Patients are able to see entries in their record dating back to 2 February 2023. If you would like to see your records prior to that date you must request this through your SystmOnline account (you can request an account via our website if you do not have one yet). Click the Request button next to Full Record Access on the Manage Online Services pages and we will arrange for you to be able to view your records back to your date of registration with us. Patients who do not use the NHS app can view their medical record through the NHS website. If you already have Full Record Access there will be no change.
 
The NHS app, website and SystmOnline are very secure so no one is able to access your information except you. Remember to protect your login details and don't share your password with anyone.

Published on 1st May 2024

Lodge Health Route

The Lodge Surgery Health Route

We are delighted to share details of a project that Dr Heath worked on in conjunction with NHS Forest.  The project aims to improve the health and wellbeing of patients, staff and communities by increasing access to green space on or near NHS land.

Spending time in nature can reduce anxiety and improve your mood and physical activity is known to reduce your risk of diabetes, depression, dementia and cardiovascular diseases.  It is free and fun!

Dr Heath received grants from Tesco Bags of Help scheme and Chippenham Town Council to fund the project.

You may have already spotted the signs on lamp posts marking the walk but you can download a route map here or ask Reception for a copy if you are unable to print it. And let us know if you do the walk!

 

For more information about the project visit www.nhsforest.org


Published on 1st May 2024