Apsley Autumn Newsletter

Autumn 2026

Welcome to our Apsley Autumn Newsletter!

Practice update

We are excited to share some new updates within the organisation to our patients.

Team expansion

Due to an increase in patients registered across our organisation we have been busy across the summer weeks recruiting and training new members of the team to work in our patient contact centre.

You may notice that if you call the surgery at 8am, your queue position number may appear higher than you are used to, but please be assured that we have expanded our team in the contact centre and have experienced no increase in the wait times, in fact the enlarged team has so far resulted in a decrease to the average wait time.

Call back feature

We would also like to remind you of the “call back” feature. If you press this option whilst in the queue, your place will not be lost in the queue, but means that you do not have to be sitting on the phone whilst waiting for your call to be answered.

Prebookable clinics

From 7th September 2026, we are increasing pre-bookable appointments across various sites and clinics for non-urgent conditions. These can be booked throughout the day, so you can skip the 8am queue!

Digital services

We also have the option of requesting an online appointments which is proving more and more popular with our patients for routine appointment requests. You can submit this by the NHS APP or by visiting our website

We have seen a large increase in patients signing up to the NHS APP. This allows you to order prescriptions, view hospital appointments, view your records, test results and much more. We have trained NHS APP Champion staff at the surgeries, so if you would like any support setting this up, you can pop in to the surgery or call the surgery and we will be happy to help.

We continually review our call wait time and appointment capacity across the organisation to ensure we are giving our patients the best possible care and experience.

Autumn/winter vaccination programme

Keeping well this winter

To stay well this winter, stay warm by layering clothes and keeping your home heated, eat nutritious food, and remain active indoors and outdoors. Additionally, practice good hygiene, manage your mental health by staying connected, and ensure you have necessary medications and vaccinations.

• Ensure you have a well stocked cupboard with medications that you can obtain from your local pharmacist including paracetamol, cough and cold mixtures.
• Make sure you have enough prescription medication. You can order these more conveniently through the NHS App and this will be sent directly to your nominated pharmacy without needing to come to the surgery in this cold weather. If you would like support accessing the NHS App please contact the surgery and we will be more than happy to ask one of our NHS Champions to contact you.

Stay warm

• Wear several layers of thin clothing, both indoors and outdoors, and don't forget warm socks and gloves.
• Keep your home heated to a comfortable temperature and close windows on cold nights to avoid breathing in cold air.
• Eat at least one hot meal a day and drink hot drinks regularly to help you stay warm from the inside.

Stay active

• Move around frequently indoors and try to get outside for a walk or other enjoyable activities, but avoid sitting for more than an hour at a time.
• If you are exercising outside, wear multiple thin layers to generate body heat.

Protect your health

• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water to prevent the spread of germs.
• Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze.
• Get your flu and COVID-19 vaccinations if you are eligible.
• Keep necessary medications on hand and make sure they are up to date. Consult with your GP or pharmacist if you're unsure what you need.

Look after your mental health

• The winter months can affect your mood, so it's important to look after your mental wellbeing.
• Stay social and check in with friends, family, and neighbours.
• Try to get as much natural light as possible.
• If you are feeling down, speak to someone you trust or contact a healthcare professional.

The NHS app

There have been several updates with the NHS App since the last newsletter; here is a brief overview of these changes:

• Simpler Navigation: The updated app now features three main, easy-to-use areas: Home, Messages, and Profile.
• Everything in One Place: While there is no longer a single “GP health record” section, all the information is still there and easier to find by selecting direct options for prescriptions, appointments, test results, vaccinations, health conditions, and documents.
• Updated Profile Area: In the profile section patients can view their NHS number, update their personal details or health choices, and manage health services for family members or people they care for (proxy access).
• Prescription/Medicine: All users can now see the full list of their repeat prescriptions, including those that are currently unavailable to request. Extended the ability to view and track prescription statuses to 30% of pharmacies. Ready-to-collect prescription notifications are now live with 16% of pharmacies, helping patients to collect their medicines sooner.
• E-Referrals: Patients referred by their GP to hospital services through e‑RS will receive two automated updates on the NHS App: one confirmation that the referral has been received and is being processed, followed by confirmation when the receiving provider has accepted it. The change is intended to give patients clearer visibility and reassurance at the start of their referral journey.

Visit our NHS app page

PPG! 

We are always looking at ways to improve our services for you. We rely on patient feedback whether this is good feedback or whether not so good.

We have an established PPG but are always looking for new members to join our team, and are very grateful for those within the PPG who already support us.

Our times are flexible for meetings, and we are able to offer the meetings to be on Microsoft teams if you are unable to attend in person.

If you can spare an hour of your time just four times a year, please contact reception and we can talk you through what we do.

Come along and help us improve our services for you.

Visit our patient participation group page

Patient feedback

by Ruth Matthews

We value all our patient feedback, whether it is a good experience or if there are areas which we can improve on.

You can leave your feedback in many ways:

• Google review
• Directly at our practice
• Completing our friends and family cards
• Online consultation - via the “admin” link

If you feel you would like to talk and discuss your experience whether this a good experience or something that did not go as well as expected, you can arrange to speak to our Practice Patient Manager at the surgery or we can arrange a face to face meeting.  

Social media

Did you know we have a Facebook page?

We are always trying to communicate better with our patients, and we are trying to update all our patients as best as we possibly can.  We will add any updates on facebook as well as our quarterly newsletter.  If you see something you like give us a wave or if there is something you would like to see more of on facebook, just let us know  

Bank holiday closures for 2025 to 2026

You can view our bank holiday closures on our events and closures calendar 

If you require medical attention when the surgery is closed please call 111 who will be able to assist you.  Please note if your medical need is life threatening, then you need to contact 999.

Published: Oct 2, 2026