Building works
We will be making improvements to access to the Surgery with building work starting 10th February. We anticipate this to be complete by Friday 15th February.
We remain open as usual with access to the building through the Mendip Room causing minimal disruption.
Thank you for your understanding and co operation.
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Vacancy
Part time Receptionist/Admin Assistant
17 hours per week
We are looking for a conscientious, enthusiastic and reliable person to join our Reception and Administration team. Your role will be to provide administrative support to the primary care medical team and front of house service to our registered patients. Previous experience of working in a GP surgery an advantage but not essential. Good IT skills and customer service essential.
Job descriptions and application forms are available to download here
Salaries:- subject to experience.
These posts are NHS pensionable and permanent.
Previous applicants need not apply.
Closing date Friday 14th February 2025. Interviews Wednesday 26th February 2025.
If you require any further information please contact either:
Ruth Woodland Practice Manager or Samantha Pitt, Assistant PM at:- mendipcp@nhs.net or on 01373 812244.
Receptionist Job Description Application Form
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Free Patient Webinar on Pelvic Health and Continence
Debbie Dillon, Advanced Physiotherapy Practitioner in Pelvic Health will be running this useful session on 26th February, at 7-8.15pm. Joining is anonymous.
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NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme
Have you recently discovered that you're at risk of Type 2 Diabetes, and would like to find out more about how the NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme could help you?
On Wednesday 20th February you can join a free 30 minute online patient information session at 12:30 pm. Here you can find out more about the programme, how to take part, and ask questions to decide if the programme is right for you.
To attend, book your place via Eventbrite here: bit.ly/PatientInformationSessionNDPP
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Prostate Cancer Screening
We are working to raise awareness of symptoms of possible prostate cancer and testing, especially amongst higher-risk groups of men. These include:
- Men aged 50 and above
- Black men aged 45 and above
- Men with a family history of prostate cancer aged 45 and above
There is a blood test called prostate specific antigen (PSA) that is available to patients. A raised PSA can indicate a problem with the prostate but cannot by itself tell us what that problem is. Many men with a raised PSA do not have prostate cancer and some with a normal PSA can have prostate cancer. A raised result however can prompt your GP to arrange referral for further tests to rule out a cancer.
We encourage you click this link for further information:
https://www.baus.org.uk/_userfiles/pages/files/Patients/Leaflets/PSA%20Advice.pdf
PSA Information Please read the attached document for more information about symptoms
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Warm Space
The Energy Advice team along with the Mendip Health Connectors will be in the Mendip Room at the surgergy from 10.00am to 1.00pm on Wednesday 29th January. If you need a warm space to go to or require any help or advice please call in to the surgery on this morning, no appointment needed.
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Text Messages - NHS App
We are currently involved in a pilot scheme with the NHS App and our text message provider. If you use the NHS App please ensure that you have notifications switched on, as text messages relating to your healthcare might be delivered to the NHS App in the first instance. Notifications that have not been read after an hour will be sent again as a standard SMS text message to your registered mobile number or email address.
If you do not have the NHS App messages will automatically be sent to you via SMS text as normal.
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Everybody has a part to play in reducing medicines waste
It has been estimated that £300 million of NHS prescribed medicines are wasted each year
Did you know?
Even if you never open them, once medicines have left the Drs surgery or pharmacy, they cannot be recycled or used by anyone else.
Open your prescription bag whilst you are still inside the surgery and return any unwanted items to the dispensary staff before you leave.
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Need help registering for the NHS App?
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Orange Button Somerset
Together, we can break down the stigma surrounding suicide and mental health. Let’s create a world where everyone feels supported. Remember, it's okay not to be okay, and seeking help is a sign of strength. 🤝 There are over 1000 people across Somerset that have completed quality assured training and signed up to wear the Orange Button, so that they are visible to those who might want their support. Please reach out to them. It is a myth that talking about suicide encourages people to think about it, research has shown the opposite. In fact, speaking openly about suicide decreases the likelihood of the person acting on their feelings.
Suicide can affect anybody; we would like everyone to complete training so that they can feel confident to talk about suicide and support those around them.
The Orange Button scheme is a way of recognising people within our community that have completed this training. If you would like to become an Orange Button holder you can signup to a free training course Every Life Matters – Suicide Alertness (half day course)
👉 https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/every-life-matters-somerset-42223065913
If you would like to find out more, visit - 👉
www.healthysomerset.co.uk/support-with-your-mental-health/orange-button/
#OrangeButtonSomerset #SuicidePrevention #BreakTheSilence🧡
If you are struggling with your own mental health, please phone Mindline Somerset’s 24/7 helpline: 0800 138 1692 or visit Open Mental Health to find help and support
👉https://openmentalhealth.org.uk/
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Calculate your heart age
The ‘Calculate your heart age’ service compares your real age to your heart age by asking you questions about your health and by implementing the Joint British Societies recommendations on the prevention of Cardiovascular Disease (JBS3) algorithm. You’ll also find out how to improve your heart age by making some healthy lifestyle changes.
The service also highlights the importance of knowing your blood pressure and cholesterol numbers and will give a more accurate result if these numbers are acquired.
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Physiotherapy Service
You may or may not be aware that as a group of surgeries we have a group of physio's that are fantastic with helping you with any muscular/skeletal issues.
Please see the below link to find out more information regarding this service, including when it is appropriate to contact them.
First contact physiotherapy GP resources | The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (csp.org.uk)
The physio's will be able to assess and diagnose what's happening for you and give expert advice on how to manage your diagnosis. Please phone reception to make an appointment.
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Every Mind Matters
Loneliness is an issue that can affect us all, young or old, at any point in our lives. We might live in a busy city or a rural location, on our own or with others and still feel isolated.
You should not blame yourself for feeling like you are struggling, now or at any other time.
The campaign, which is being supported by Mental Health Ambassador Dr. Alex George, is pointing people towards the Every Mind Matters loneliness webpage, where there is advice for ways to help yourself or others who may be feeling lonely, and suggested support routes.
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A digital tool that enables you to create a practical plan to maintain and improve your mental health. Over two million people have created Mind Plans so far to find out personalised steps they can do to protect themselves and prevent problems escalating, just as we do with our physical health. Click on the link below to take the quiz and create your own personal plan.
https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/your-mind-plan-quiz/
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Home Blood Pressure Monitoring
Everyone’s blood pressure naturally rises and falls over the course of a day and some people can be stressed or anxious when having their blood pressure taken by their doctor or nurse, making their blood pressure higher than it normally is (known as ‘white coat effect’). This means that a ‘one-off’ reading taken at your doctor’s surgery may not accurately reflect your real blood pressure.
We are finding during the COVID pandemic that due to doctors and nurses wearing PPE (personal protective equipment) this is having an effect on people's BP readings. As a result we are actively encouraging patients to purchase their own BP monitor so they can take readings at home where they are more relaxed, and send their readings to us.
Please read the attached for more information on which BP monitors to buy and how to use them accurately.
Home Blood Pressure Monitoring
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Violence/Zero Tolerance Policy
A zero-tolerance policy towards violent, threatening, and abusive behaviour is now in place throughout the NHS and applies to Mendip Country Practice.
The doctors, nurses and staff in this practice have the right to do their work in an environment free from violent, threatening, or abusive behaviour and everything will be done to protect that right.
At no time will any such behaviour be tolerated in this practice. If you do not respect the rights of our staff, we may choose to inform the police and arrange for you to be removed from our medical list.
Mendip Country Practice also reserves the right to remove any patient seen to be making abusive or defamatory remarks on any social networking site including but not limited to Facebook/Twitter/Instagram etc. Please be aware that by posting online anything that can be construed as slanderous will be treated as abuse and appropriate action will be taken by the Practice.
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Online platforms
As part of a current project in improving patient care and journey in accessing care with our practice, we are looking into ways to provide better access to useful information for all our patients. This includes for example updating our website and Facebook, and increasing our communication to you.
Come along with us for this exciting journey!
Please like, follow and share our pages (below) with your family and friends and anyone who are with our practice.
Be AntiBiotic Aware
CQC Rating
Care Quality Commissioners carried out their inspection on 26th March 2020 of Mendip Country Practice. CQC - Overall rating GOOD.
Care Quality Commissioners visited on Tuesday 20th September 2016 to carry out their inspection of Mendip Country Practice. CQC - Overall rating GOOD.
CQC monitor, inspect and regulate health and social care services. They publish their findings, including ratings to help people choose care. The full final report can be found here.
Patient Survey
To see how we compare locally and nationally with other GP practices please click on the National Survey link. National Survey