Following on from the announcement below of a new GP that has joined the practice we would also like to formally welcome some new Medical Receptionists that have joined our team. Katie, Lucy and Hannah have all joined over the last 8 weeks and are at various points through their training. Training for this role takes time so please bear with them especially if they have to put you on hold to double check anything with their notes or ‘buddy’.

We also hope to have some further good news to announce over the coming weeks.

Despite these additions and work behind the scenes to keep improving our process we are still facing an unprecedented high patient demand. This combined with Covid restrictions, extra PPE and cleaning time between patients has put an unrelenting pressure on all staff since that start of the pandemic.

We have to make multiple daily decisions about prioritising all appointments and ensuring that patients are dealt with in the most appropriate and efficient way. This done on clinical risk and we apologise if there is a delay to getting an appointment as we do appreciate that whilst something maybe low risk it does impact on your daily life. Thank you for your patience it is appreciated.

If you have online access and it is not extremely urgent we do recommend using eConsult via our website for both admin and clinical questions. eConsult also offers advice and information directly to you which can be of use.

Covid vaccinations – if you haven’t already had them and are over 18 please book via 119 or https://www.nhs.uk/.../coro.../book-coronavirus-vaccination/ for first and/or second jabs. We do not have any at the surgery and are unable to book you in to central sites. If you need proof of vaccination status the best method is to download and use the NHS App.

That’s all for now, stay safe and well – more news updates when we have them!

Addendum:

We are pleased to announce that Dr Fatou Mbow has recently joined our Practice as a new GP. She has already started seeing some patients and making a great impression.

Born in Paris, Dr Mbow studied medicine in Rome and trained in general practice in London. She worked extensively in humanitarian health in most countries in sub-Saharan Africa, a way for her to complete a medical training she found not holistic enough. In understanding disease, Dr Mbow is particularly interested in how mental health affects biology, and vice-versa. Her mother tongues are Italian and French, and on top of English, she also speaks Wolof.