Welcome to this month’s update from Premier Medical Centre!
In this issue, we’re looking back at another successful Drive-Thru Flu Clinic, sharing an important reminder about hospital appointments and referrals, and letting you know how we’re supporting Breast Cancer Now this October. We’re also reminding more patients to get involved in our Patient Participation Group (PPG).
We’re delighted to welcome Dr Shivam Shah and Clinical Pharmacist Bhavini Gorasia to our clinical team alongside new healthcare assistant Nagasuthan Rajaratnam Pirabaharan.
There have also been a few changes at reception. Our Reception Supervisor, Annie Patel, is now on maternity leave, and we wish her all the very best during this exciting time.
Meanwhile, we’re pleased to welcome Palak Patel, Mehrin Mussa and Afreen Maniar, who have joined our reception team. Please join us in giving all our new colleagues a warm PMC welcome!
What a fantastic day!
A huge thank you to everyone who joined us for our Drive-Thru Flu Clinic on Saturday 3rd October. It was wonderful to see so many of our patients coming together to protect their health ahead of winter.
Our team administered over 300 flu vaccinations, alongside other routine immunisations and health checks.
The day ran smoothly, with patients moving through the clinic quickly and efficiently. We were especially pleased to hear so much positive feedback about how convenient and straightforward the experience was.
Of course, none of this would have been possible without our fantastic team, who worked incredibly hard both behind the scenes and on the day to make everything run so smoothly.
Thank you again to everyone who attended and helped make the event such a success. We’re already looking forward to next year’s clinic!
Missed the clinic?
Don’t worry! Flu vaccinations are still available at the surgery for eligible patients. Please call us on 020 3728 2551 to book your appointment.
Did you know that some hospitals are now contacting patients by text message or through the NHS App to check whether they still need their hospital appointment or referral?
These messages are important. Hospitals use them to keep waiting lists up to date and make sure appointments are offered to patients who still need them.
If you receive one of these messages, please don’t ignore it!
You may only have a short time to respond, sometimes as little as 10 days. If you don’t reply within the deadline given, your hospital may take steps to close your referral or remove you from its waiting list.
We know how frustrating this could be, particularly if you’ve already been waiting several months for an appointment.
Here’s what you can do:
Think your referral has been closed by mistake?
Please contact the hospital department directly to discuss your referral and the next steps.
Remember to be cautious of suspicious messages. If you’re unsure whether a message is genuine, contact your hospital using its official contact details rather than clicking on an unfamiliar link.
Not using the NHS App yet?
The NHS App is free, secure and a convenient way to access a range of NHS services, including prescriptions, test results and, where available, hospital appointment information.
If you need a little help getting started, our reception team will be happy to point you in the right direction.
Things are going to look a little pinker than usual at PMC this October!
On Friday 23rd October, our team will be swapping their usual colours for pink as we take part in Wear It Pink, raising money for Breast Cancer Now.
Breast cancer affects so many individuals and families, and we’re proud to play a small part in supporting the charity’s vital research and services for people affected by the disease.
If you’re visiting the practice on the day, expect plenty of pink and perhaps a few questionable fashion choices, all for a very good cause!
We’d love your support!
Whether you can donate a little or a lot, every contribution is appreciated and helps us support this important cause.
You can make a donation through our JustGiving fundraising page.
Thank you for helping us make a difference! 💕
While we’re wearing pink this October, it’s also a good opportunity to remind everyone about the importance of breast health and early detection.
Breast screening saves lives
The NHS invites women for their first breast screening (mammogram) between the ages of 50 and 53, and then every three years until their 71st birthday.
Screening can detect breast cancer before any symptoms appear, when treatment is more likely to be successful.
If you receive an invitation, please make time to attend. If you’re aged 71 or over, you can still request free breast screening by contacting your local breast screening service.
Know what’s normal for you
Breast cancer can affect anyone, including men, so it’s important to check your breasts or chest regularly, ideally around once a month.
Please contact the practice if you notice any unusual changes, including:
Remember, most breast changes are not cancer, but it’s always important to get anything unusual checked. Don’t wait for your next screening appointment if you notice a change.
For more information, visit the NHS breast screening website or read the NHS guide on how to check your breasts or chest.
Have you ever had an idea about how we could improve things at Premier Medical Centre? We’d love to hear it!
We’re inviting patients to join our Patient Participation Group (PPG), giving you the opportunity to share your experiences, suggest improvements and help shape the future of services at PMC.
There are plenty of things we’d value your input on, including:
You don’t need any special knowledge or experience to get involved. We’re simply looking for patients who care about their practice and would like to have a say in how we develop our services.
New and returning members are equally welcome, and we’d particularly love to hear from patients of different ages and backgrounds so that our group reflects the community we serve.
Interested in getting involved?
Simply enter your email address below, and a member of our team will be in touch with more information.
Your feedback matters, and together we can make PMC even better!
The NHS App gives you a quick and secure way to manage many routine parts of your healthcare without needing to telephone or visit the practice.
Depending on the services available to you, you can use it to:
• order repeat prescriptions
• view test results and parts of your medical record
• access health information and documents
• manage other NHS services
It’s free and secure, and you can access the service from your phone or computer.
If you haven’t started using it yet, click here to get started. If you need some help getting set up, please speak to our reception team.
That’s all for October!
Thank you, as always, for being part of the Premier Medical Centre community. Whether you’ve attended one of our events, shared your feedback or simply taken the time to read our newsletter, we appreciate your continued support.
From all of us at PMC, we wish you and your family a happy, healthy month ahead.
Premier Medical Centre
📍 116 Chaplin Road, Wembley HA0 4UZ
📞 020 3728 2551
✉️ nhsnwl.premiermedicalcentre@nhs.net
🌐 premiermedicalcentre.nhs.uk
