Spring 2025 Newsletter

 

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Welcome to Our Spring Newsletter!

As the days get longer and the flowers continue to bloom, we hope you’re enjoying the fresh energy that spring brings! In this edition, we have important health updates, seasonal wellness tips, and practice news to keep you informed.

 

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Spring Health Tips

  • Managing Hay Fever – If you suffer from seasonal allergies, remember to keep windows closed during peak pollen times, wash clothes after being outdoors and you can also speak to your pharmacist who is able to offer a wide range of remedies.
  • Springtime Wellbeing – With more daylight hours, it’s a great time to get outdoors and boost your mood. A daily walk in nature can work wonders for your physical and mental health!
  • Eat Fresh, Stay Healthy – Spring is the perfect time to enjoy fresh, seasonal produce. Try incorporating more greens, berries, and citrus fruits into your meals for a natural vitamin boost.
 

Practice Updates & News

Phoenix PCN Update

Phoenix Primary Care Network (PCN) includes Gloucester Road Medical Centre and Horfield Health Centre. We’re excited to announce that Greenway Community Practice will be joining our network on 1st April 2025. Greenway Community Practice is in Southmead and provides healthcare services to patients in BS9 and BS10. 

Working together in a Primary Care Network allows us to share tasks and improve how we work. We want to make sure each practice keeps its own unique identity and values. The goal is to work together to make our strengths stronger, without losing what makes each practice special.

This partnership will help us provide better care for our patients. We’re excited to work with our new colleagues to create a better and more reliable healthcare service for everyone.

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Consultation Note Software Trial

Soon, some of the doctors and staff at Gloucester Road Medical Centre will be trying out new software called Heidi AI.

This software helps with keeping records and writing notes during and after consultations.

We hope that using this software will make our record keeping better and save time after appointments. It will also help make the records more accurate. The software works by listening to the consultation through a microphone and then turning what is said into a note, which is saved in your medical records.

Please be assured that no recordings of your consultations will be kept. All your information is stored safely and securely, and only the right people at the practice can access it. It cannot be seen by any other group or company, and everything is kept private and protected by laws about patient records and safety.

If you have any concerns, please talk to the clinician who is seeing you. If you prefer that the AI tool is not used, it can be turned off.

Patient Participation Group

A big thank you to the amazing volunteers in our Patient Participation Group (PPG).

Over the past year, they’ve run help sessions to support patients with the NHS App, and held focus groups to collect helpful feedback.

Want to get involved? Please contact us to find out more about joining the PPG.

JOIN THE PATIENT PARTICIPATION GROUP

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mental-health

Health Awareness Campaigns

Mental Health Awareness Week (May 12-18) – This year’s theme is “Community’

Being part of a safe, positive community is vital for our mental health and wellbeing. We thrive when we have strong connections with other people and supportive communities that remind us, we are not alone.

Communities can provide a sense of belonging, safety, support in hard times, and give us a sense purpose.

National Walking Month (May)

Walking is one of the easiest ways to improve your health, it’s free, low-impact, and suitable for almost everyone. Just 20–30 minutes a day can boost your mood, support heart health, and help manage weight and blood pressure.

This May, why not swap short car journeys for a walk, take a lunchtime stroll, or start your day with a gentle walk around the block?

Thank you for being a valued patient at Gloucester Road Medical Centre. Wishing you a healthy and happy spring season!

Stay well,

Gloucester Road Medical Centre Team

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Published: Apr 30, 2025