Health Newsletter: December

Happy holidays from our family to yours! 

As we come together to celebrate the festive season, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks to all our patients for your trust and kindness throughout the year. At Bower Mount Medical Practice, we see ourselves as a community, one that supports, cares, and grows together.

We wish you and your loved ones a peaceful, healthy, and joyful holiday season.

Your local pharmacy: an underused health resource

Many people don’t realise just how much support their local pharmacy can provide. Pharmacists are highly trained clinicians who can offer fast, expert advice for a wide range of minor illnesses, often saving you a visit to the GP. Whether you have a sore throat, a skin rash, stomach upset, sinus symptoms, allergies, or questions about your medication, your pharmacist can assess your concerns and recommend the right treatment.

Choosing to use your pharmacy first means, you will get timely care while helping to keep GP appointments available for patients with more complex needs. It is a simple way to support both your own wellbeing and the wider community.

Special events at Bower Mount Medical Practice

This season, our team has been busy keeping our patients safe with flu and COVID vaccinations, thank you to everyone who came in!

We’re excited to announce the launch of our new website, making it easier than ever to book appointments and access practice updates.

A big thank you to our patients for being part of our community, we loved seeing so many of you at recent events and in practice visits!

Reminder: If you haven’t had your flu or COVID vaccine yet, please book your appointment today to protect yourself and your loved ones.

Flu vaccinations: available for children between 2 to 3 years

Winter health update – stay safe and well

Flu, COVID-19 and other viruses

Flu, COVID-19, RSV, and norovirus are circulating this winter. These can be serious, especially for infants, older adults, and those with long-term conditions. Good hygiene, vaccination, and staying home if unwell help protect you and others.

Managing chronic conditions

Cold weather can worsen asthma, COPD, heart disease, and diabetes. Keep medications up to date, attend routine check-ups, and dress warmly. Seek help promptly if symptoms worsen.

Home safety and wellbeing

Keep homes warm, ventilated, and dry. Layer clothing, maintain routines, and stay socially connected to protect your physical and mental health.

When to Seek Help

Contact your GP or pharmacist for high fever, difficulty breathing, worsening chronic conditions, or persistent vomiting/diarrhea.

Reminder: If you haven’t had your flu or COVID-19 vaccine, book your appointment today. 

Understanding patient concerns

• Some patients described stress after blood tests when results were not communicated quickly, especially when linked to regular medication
• All test results are reviewed by a clinician. If the reports are within normal limits, no actions will be taken as a routine. If abnormal and if they need any actions, then only a task is generated to staff to organise the appointment or any relevant action to be taken. Most test results can also be viewed directly through the NHS App, including medication history and ongoing prescriptions.
• Some patients reported difficulty getting through by telephone and frustration when promised callbacks were delayed - Telephone calls are dealt with by admin staff only and sometimes missed due to technical reasons as they do not always flag up when not done.
• Some patients were disappointed when previously successful medications were not prescribed again - GPs follow current clinical guidance, availability of medications and consider safety, resistance, and suitability before prescribing. Sometimes this means suggesting an alternative medication
• Patients with long-term conditions felt they needed to repeat their story to different clinicians every time
• Patients are registered with the practice and not with an individual GP. All GPs do not work full time, and the workload of a GP is ever increasing. We are a training practice and have a variety of trainees who keep changing as well. GPs prefer to see the same patients for continuity of care. Using anima helps us to invite you to book your appointment with your preferred doctors. However, it is not always possible. Still, we will try our best to accommodate you to see the same GP. In addition, all clinical staff have access to full electronic notes so also patients

You said, we did - anima highlights (december edition)

Throughout this month, many of you shared positive experiences using Anima online consultation system. Your feedback show that Anima is helping improve access, efficiency, and the speed of care, especially during the busy winter season. Here are the themes you told us: 

What you said

Fast responses and same day care

• Quick acknowledgement and rapid triage
• Same day phone calls
• Same day GP or nurse appointments
• Smooth transistions from online to face-to-face care

"After completing my Anima form I was offered a wide selection of appointment dates which were convenient for me"

"Very efficient, I got a physio appointment after phoning and filling in the Anima form in the morning"

"Used Anima for the first time at 1.30pm and by 3.45pm I had been seen by a GP and given medication. Very impressed."

"Prompt, helpful and professional responses online and face to face."

Convenience and better communication

• I think Anima is quite useful
• The system allowed me to upload pictures which the GP said were enough for diagnosis
• The service was brilliant, enquiry on Anima, telephone call, face to face appointment. Very impressed 
• Nurse appointments are readily available and the response to Anima is very good

Better access and quick booking

• I contacted the surgery yesterday and got a call back this morning and an appointment stright away
• I usually get a quick response to my questions 
• Very easy to get an appointment for a flu jab

December update from your GP practice

Winter illnesses: when to contact us

Winter viruses are circulating earlier this year. Please contact the surgery if you or your child has:

• A high fever that isn't improving
• Breathing difficulties, wheezing or chest pain
• Dehydration or reduced fluid intake
• Symptoms lasting longer than expected

We can advise whether you need an appointment, self-care guidance or pharmacy support.

Flu and covid vaccinations

Flu and covid vaccines are available for eligible groups

• Over 65s
• People with long-term conditions 
• Pregnanat women
• Carers and frontline health and social care workers 

Christmas and new year opening hours 

The practice will be closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day, we remain open as normal on all other weekdays.

• NHS 111 is for urgent medical advice
• 999 if for emergencies only
• Local pharmacies can provide help with many minor illnesses 

Full opening times can be found here

Repeat prescriptions

Please order your repeat medications at least 7 days before Christmas 

Published: Dec 16, 2025