URGENT MEASLES UPDATE

Measles is in the West Midlands. Is your child protected?

Public Health England has confirmed that there is a continuing outbreak of measles in the West Midlands.

Since the 1^st November 2017, 107 laboratory confirmed cases have been reported to the West Midlands Health Protection Team:  In order to reduce the number of susceptible people we are taking action and writing to all our patients who are eligible for MMR vaccine according to the national immunisation schedule:

• First dose given at 12 months of age
• Second dose given at three years and four months of age

In addition we urge parents of all children under 5 years of age with incomplete MMR immunisation to contact the surgery to arrange an appointment to have their child vaccinated.

Measles is at best a nasty, unpleasant infection; at worst it can cause permanent injury and even threaten life. If your child is not fully vaccinated they are at risk in this current outbreak. Please bring them for vaccination. Vaccination is safe and offers real protection. If you are nervous of the MMR vaccine for any reason you are very welcome to come and discuss this with any of our doctors and nurses.

Online Services 

Did you know you can book appointments and order prescriptions online. Please contact reception for a username and password. Appointments are released online at 8:15am every day.

Please note that if you do not use your account on a regular basis your access will be suspended for security reasons.

Results

If you have a blood test at the surgery you can call the surgery 3 days after the test for the results. Please call reception after 3:00pm and they will be able to give you the results over the phone. Please note results are not available over the phone before 3:00pm.

 2016 CQC ratings at Ridgacre

Ridgacre Medical Centres have been recognised by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) for providing outstanding primary care services to our patients. As a team we feel both proud and humbled at our ‘Good with Outstanding features’ rating at The Nechells Practice, and our ‘Outstanding’ rating at Ridgacre House Surgery – the first practice in Birmingham to be awarded this rating. We want to thank the team at Birmingham Cross City CCG who helped with the attention to detail needed in our inspection. The CQC experience gave us a lens through which we were able to review the care we offer to our patients.

We are innovative at Ridgacre. We had the first patient panel in Birmingham, giving us our motto: ‘Patients in Partnership with Professionals’. A project to improve communication with ambulance crews to help protect patients from hospital admission, is now being implemented across the city. We have the first primary care-based Hepatitis C clinic in the West Midlands, bringing life-changing treatment to vulnerable patients.

We know the fine line between success and failure. CQC were impressed by our system for learning when things do not go as they should, so our ratings are substantially thanks to our team’s openness and vigilance and our patients’ feedback.

Every patient deserves the best care possible. Ridgacre Medical Centres has recently joined a new organisation, ‘Our Health Partnership’ (OHP), with over 30 other surgeries, committed to working together with hospitals, social and community services, and other agencies to provide healthcare in new ways. We are excited at this chance to develop outstanding care beyond the boundaries of our existing surgeries.

Missed Appointments

During May 2018 210 patients failed to attend their doctors appointments across both practices. If you can no longer make your appointment, please call us and let us know so that the appointment can be given to someone else who needs it.  

Just a reminder that both Practice's have a Suggestion Box for you to put your comments or suggestions in.

Friends and Family Test

How likely are you to recommend us to your friends and family? Please answer this question by completing the Family & Friends Test available on the homepage.

Results for May 2018 

Extended Opening Times

Ridgacre House Surgery offers late appointments between 18:30 and 20:00 on Mondays and 18:30 and 19:30 on Wednesdays.

The Nechells Practice offers late appointments between 18:30 and 19:30 on Tuesdays and Fridays.

Telephone calls are only taken between 08.30 and 18.30.

Charity Events 

We recently held some Macmillan Coffee Mornings  in line with our Flu clinics at both sites and raised £395.90. We would like to thank everyone who took part and helped with the event.

A Small team of staff recently completed the pretty Muddy 5k Obstacle course for breast cancer and raised £680.00 well done all.

Armed Service Veteran Friendly

The practice has recently been accredited as an armed service veteran Friendly practice.