News

Welcome to the Toolbox - Online ADHD and Autism Support for Children and Young People

The Toolbox is a free service that provides online support for neurodiverse children and young people. On the dedicated website you can find out about all the other services offered in Hertfordshire, as well as watch our gaming Livestreams, and go through our downloadable Resources such as the Toolbox Live Chat and the Understanding My AutismADHD – Nessie Flyer.

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Vaccination Programme September 2024

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common cause of coughs and colds. It usually gets better by itself, but it can be serious for some babies and older adults. The NHS will be launching a vaccination programme in September 2024.  Midway surgery will be inviting all eligible patients aged 75 to 79 to receive the new RSV vaccine from 1st September 2024. The programme will be rolled out over the coming months, therefore if you wish to be protected against this serious virus, please wait to receive an invitation via text message or via a telephone call to book your appointment For more information about the virus, please visit the dedicated NHS website.

Learn with us

We have set-up a new page dedicated to learning events and materials which our patients may find interesting.

Please visit our Patient Learning page to see what is currently on offer. 

In addition, the NHS Herts and West Essex Integrated Care Board’s Patient Engagement Forum have recently set-up a new, closed, Facebook page - 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/hwepef

The page has been set-up to facilitate discussion, support, fact finding and create a two-way flow of information to ensure the patient really is at the heart of everything the local NHS does.

 The Patient Engagement Forum’s commitment to you is:

1. To listen to what is important to you
2. To follow up on anything that is critical; and
3. To report back on the outcomes from this work.

As a closed group, it is only open to people who live or work in Hertfordshire and west Essex, you can be sure of a safe and secure environment in which everyone respects each other and seeks to share experiences.

 The ‘welcome’ page asks a series of questions about what is important to you; share your thoughts and see what others are saying.

 Please join this new initiative and have your say – not just once, but whenever you wish to share your views.

GPs Are On your Side

If you have lost your family doctor, you are not alone. General Practice is broken. Help us fix it.

You have probably noticed that something is wrong. Look at the difficulty you have in getting an appointment at your local surgery. When you do get through, it may not be an appointment with a GP at all. Have you lost your regular family doctor? You are not alone.

General Practice is collapsing. Every practice across England is struggling to keep its doors open.

We value our patients. We know that most patients value us too, especially when they need us regularly. You know we can deal with most of your health problems, keep you out of hospital, and have your best interests at heart. The problem is with the mismanagement of the NHS.

Your GP is an expert in general medical practice – trained over 10 years to deal with complex problems, spot serious symptoms, and decide when you need specialist help at the hospital.

But did you know that your practice receives just £107.57 per year for each patient, whatever their health needs. That’s less than the cost of an annual TV licence.

It’s just 30p a day for every patient registered with us – less than the cost of an apple.

We believe general practice deserves a bigger slice of NHS funding so we can train and hire more GPs, deliver the services you require and make it easier for you and your loved ones to get appointments to see your GP and practice team.

GPs want the same things that you do. We believe nobody should struggle to see their family doctor.

General Practice should be as it once was – a familiar family doctor, offering continuity of care in a surgery full of friendly familiar faces within a safe building where you knew you would get the care you needed.

To learn more and get involved visit the BMA website.

Think Pharmacy First

Going to your local pharmacy offers an easy and convenient way to get clinical advice on minor health concerns, and now community pharmacies can offer treatment for seven common conditions without patients needing to see a GP, as part of a major transformation in the way the NHS delivers care.

Highly trained pharmacists at more than nine in ten pharmacies can now assess and treat patients for earache, impetigo, infected insect bites, shingles, sinusitis, sore throat, urinary tract infections (UTIs) for women aged 16-64 — without the need for a GP appointment or prescription.

Community pharmacy teams are highly-skilled, qualified health professionals who have the right clinical training to give people the health advice they need. Patients don’t need an appointment and private consultation rooms are available. Pharmacy teams can also signpost to other relevant local services where necessary.

Pharmacists have always helped patients, families and carers in their communities stay healthy and are well placed to offer treatment for health conditions. By expanding the services community pharmacies offer, the NHS is aiming to free up GP appointments and give people more choice in how and where they access care.

Don’t wait for minor health concerns to get worse – think pharmacy first and get seen by your local pharmacy team.

For more information, visit nhs.uk/thinkpharmacyfirst

Building an Age Friendly Community

Age UK Herts, North Herts CVS, and Hertfordshire County Council Public Health Join Forces to Make Hertfordshire Age-Friendly Age UK Hertfordshire, in collaboration with North Herts CVS and Hertfordshire County Council Public Health, are proud to announce a groundbreaking initiative to transform Hertfordshire into an Age-Friendly Community, making it the only 2-tier authority currently aiming for accreditation. This joint venture will involve working with residents, local organisations, government bodies, and the national Centre for Ageing Better with the aim of ensuring older people in Hertfordshire are valued, and able to live well throughout later life, with a vision to make Hertfordshire the best county to age in. For more information read or download the brochure.

Support Improvement in care in local hospitals

NHS Hertfordshire and West Essex Integrated Care Board (ICB) are seeking your support in identifying people who have been a patient at Watford General Hospital, St Albans Hospital or Hemel Hempstead Hospital who would be willing to work with them to support improvements in the care our patients receive here at West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. NHS Hertfordshire and West Essex Integrated Care Board (ICB) have identified key priority areas that will focused on in their improvement work for the year ahead; two of these priority areas are falls and pressure ulcers (bed sores). NHS Hertfordshire and West Essex Integrated Care Board (ICB) are committed to this improvement work however it would be even better if the ICB could work with patients who have experienced care in our hospitals and have had a fall or a pressure ulcer whilst an inpatient with us. NHS Hertfordshire and West Essex Integrated Care Board (ICB) are reaching out to their wider network in the community requesting that patients who meet these criteria contact them for an initial conversation. Contacted the ICB via email at hweicbenh.engagement@nhs.net

NHS volunteering opportunities

Start your journey to become an NHS volunteer. Discover the many ways you can have an impact on the experiences of patients, their families and medical staff. NHS England has launched a website allowing people to find and apply for health-related volunteering opportunities in their area. This single ‘front door’ to volunteering across healthcare makes it easier for people to learn about volunteering, give their time and enjoy the benefits volunteering provides. It’s free and easy to use, designed to high accessibility standards and shaped by extensive user research. Applying for roles takes only a few minutes. Provide companionship and a warm welcome Assist with admin tasks Support the delivery of clinical care These are just a few of the areas you can contribute in and help the NHS. Please visit the NHS Volunteering website to find out more!

Local Drugs and Alcohol support

A number of organisations offer free support sevices in Hertfordshire. Click this link to visit our dedicated webpage.  You can also view and/or download a list of these service.

The NHS Jewish BRCA Testing Programme

WHAT IS BRCA? BRCA refers to two genes, BRCA1 and BRCA2, that every one of us has. These genes play an important role in the prevention of cancer. Some people may have a 'spelling mistake' or fault in one of their BRCA genes. Having a BRCA gene fault puts you at increased risk of developing certain types of cancer- specifically breast, ovarian, prostate and pancreatic cancer. NHS England is now offering free BRCA gene testing for anyone living in England, aged 18 or over with one or more Jewish grandparent, of any type of Jewish origin (Ashkenazi, Sephardi, Mizrahi etc). For more information visit the NHS Jewish BRCA Testing Programme dedicated website.

We are excited to share the latest update from the New Leaf Recovery and Wellbeing College.

New Leaf Recovery and Wellbeing College Mid-term update - Spring 2024

Local NHS under great pressure - Alert from the Hertfordshire and West Essex Integrated Care System

Health services across Hertfordshire and west Essex are currently experiencing major pressures. 

New procedure for blood tests in your area

From the 14th December 2023, patients will need to book an appointment to have their blood taken. Click here for more information.

News from NHS Digital

Closure of the Covid Pass service: The NHS COVID Pass service will close on Monday 4 December and be unavailable to patients after this date. Patients will be able to see their Covid vaccination status in their GP health record in the NHS App, but the COVID Pass is no longer needed. There are no longer any domestic requirements to demonstrate vaccination status, and no countries require proof of COVID-19 vaccination as a condition of entry. The NHS App continues to provide a simple and secure way for people to access a range of NHS services.

Redesign of the NHS App: The NHS App has been redesigned to make it more intuitive and simpler for patients to find and access services.  Over the next few weeks, users of the app will be prompted to update their NHS App. They will see an updated home page, simpler structure, and easier-to-understand language within the NHS App.  Some services have moved within the NHS App, but all the services patients need are still available.

Advice and support for your mental wellbeing

Some days, you probably feel fine. But each day is different, and there may be days you’re not ok – you may feel worried, anxious, overwhelmed, depressed or you just want someone who’ll listen.

You’re not alone.

Whether you are looking for self-help resources to boost your mental health, need a listening ear or emotional support, or you are in crisis and need urgent help, we’re here to assist you.

Click here to read more

Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) Prevention and Awareness

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) affect your urinary tract, including your bladder, urethra, or kidneys. Sometimes a urinary tract infection can develop into a severe infection that can cause you to become very ill and you may then need to go to hospital.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), formerly known as Public Health England (PHE) together with NHS England (NHSE) are running a joint campaign to raise awareness of UTI prevention, symptom recognition and treatment including advice on how and when to seek help.

This campaign will be targeted at older adults (65 years +), who are at higher risk of the impacts of urinary tract infections, and carers.
Successful management of UTIs requires a coordinated focus on prevention, early and accurate diagnosis, and appropriate treatment. If left unmanaged, UTIs can lead to severe infection, sepsis and in some cases death.

What should you do if you think you have a UTI?
If you think you might have a UTI, ensure you are drinking enough fluids to avoid becoming dehydrated. Take paracetamol up to four times a day to reduce any pain.

Who to contact?
Contact a healthcare professional if you think you might have a UTI, this could be your GP, a nurse, the community pharmacist, a walk-in centre or the NHS 111 service.

Treatment
There are different treatment options to discuss with your healthcare professional. Antibiotics should only be taken if prescribed by a healthcare professional. Always ensure antibiotics are taken as directed on the medicine label.

More information can be found on the NHS designated website –
www.nhs.uk/conditions/urinary-tract-infections-utis/

ADHD Medication shortage

You may have heard about national supply issues of some medicines that are prescribed for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

Stock availability will vary, and patients may need to try several pharmacies in order to get the required medicine. Depending on the medicine, the GP or pharmacist may recommend a prescription for a different brand of medicine that works the same way.

A Health Care Professional may advise on a change of medicine or to alter the medication course, for example at weekends (non-school or non-workdays). For some medicines it will be necessary to slowly reduce the dose before altering/stopping. Patients may be asked to contact the specialist who prescribed/recommended their medicine. The specialist will decide how best to manage the medicine(s) during this shortage.

It is important not to stockpile medicines. It is therefore advisable not to request medication more than 7 days before it is required.

The supply issues are expected to be resolved before the end of this year.

Shingles vaccine

The shingles vaccine helps protect against shingles. It's recommended for people at higher risk from shingles, including all adults turning 65, those aged 70 to 79 and those aged 50 and over with a severely weakened immune system.

The image below shows the eligibility for the vacine.

For more details, please visit theNHS dedicated website.

Midway Surgery is an Armed Forces veteran friendly accredited GP practice

Click for more information

Quality and Safety of Local Health Services Survey

Hertfordshire and West Essex Integrated Care Board (ICB) is keen to hear from our local community regarding the quality and safety of health and care services.

The ICB are looking to understand where you think health and social care services are doing well and where they can be improved, based on your recent experiences. 

The ICB would be grateful if you could complete a short survey, link below, which will complement other methods of data collection and will help to inform discussions within the ICB about patient experience and priority areas of work.

Click here to access the survey

Measles cases are rising in England this year

Measles cases on the rise in England and across the whole of Europe. Make sure you and your family are protected against becoming seriously unwell with measles by checking you are up to date with the MMR vaccine.

Across England, on average one in ten children are not up to date with their MMR vaccinations, with some areas of the country as low as two in five, putting thousands of children at risk of catching measles and the disease spreading in unvaccinated communities.

Just two doses of the MMR vaccine gives you and your family lifelong protection against catching measles. The first vaccine is given at age one year an the second at age 3 years and 4 months old. If you’ve missed any doses it’s not too late to catch up. Contact you’re GP Practice today to book an appointment to get up to date.

If you are unsure if you or your child are up to date check your childs red book or GP records and make an appointment to catch up any missed doses.

For more information on the NHS vaccination schedule, please visit the NHS vaccinations webpage.

Hertfordshire Talking Therapies

Demand on GP practices is growing.  Approximately 30% of GP appointments are mental health related. Increasing awareness of NHS Talking Therapies will provide patients with information to take control of their own mental health and self-refer to access support. 

Hertfordshire Talking Therapies offers free and confidential talking therapy and practical support to people with common mental health problems. More information is available on our website including an online self-referral form: www.hpft-iapt.nhs.uk

Love Your Bump - Hertfordshire Council's continuous smoking cessation campaign

We want all our babies to have the best possible start in life. We know that there are lots of health risks associated with smoking during pregnancy, which is why we want to do everything we can to help pregnant smokers and their partners, close friends and family members to quit. But we also know that quitting is tough, especially when you’re pregnant and having to deal with so much else going on.

The ‘Love Your Bump’ campaign has been commissioned by Hertfordshire County Council, with the aim of encouraging
expectant mothers or those who are considering having a baby, to stop smoking in order to minimise risk to their
unborn baby. 

The campaign will continue to remind and reassure pregnant smokers they are not alone and there is specialist support across Hertfordshire for them (and their families) to help them quit. It also highlights the benefits of quitting and the risks associated with second hand smoke on the unborn baby. Pregnant people may also be entitled to an incentive of up to £300 of shopping vouchers if they take up support.

To find out more visit the campain's website.

New Leaf Recovery and Wellbeing College Newsletter - Summer 2023

This summer, we focus on CONNECTING as one of the 5 ways to wellbeing. Our In Focus article is   about MUSIC and different ways we can connect through music. Our creative corner includes an   inspiring blog from one of our students, Roxanne, called ‘By letting go, it all gets done’. Roxanne   shares with us how she has learned that personal accountability makes all the difference in her   recovery journey. This insight has helped her to reconnect with those around her. Thank you to all   our students and staff contributors this time. This newsletter is always co-produced and for next   time we would like to ask you 'what brings you joy?', and for our five ways to wellbeing section, 'how   do you keep learning?'   Click here to read or download a copy of the newsletter

Why you don’t always need to see your GP - Explaining the evolution of Primary Healthcare in the NHS

Even since before the COVID pandemic, the NHS has been under great pressure and demand for appointments. General Practice in particular has seen a lot of change during this time.

Click here to read more

Why people over 75 or with a weakened immune system should get a Covid vaccination

NHS pharmacist for the East of England, Sarah, explains why people with a weakened immune system., or over 75, should top up their Covid immunity. During the national vaccination programmes, you can book a vaccination appointment via the NHS, calling NHS 119 or booking via www.nhs.uk

COVID-19 boosters for the most vulnerable this spring

Over the coming weeks, eligible people will be offered a spring COVID-19 booster.

• The vaccination will be offered to:
  residents in a care home for older adults (from 3 April)
• adults aged 75 years and over (from 17 April)
• individuals aged 5 years and over who are immunosuppressed (from 17 April)

The NHS will invite eligible people for a COVID booster jab when it is their turn. If this is you, please don’t ring your practice to book an appointment until you are contacted.

Find out more about the spring boosters on the Hertfordshire and West Essex ICB website.

If you have never had a COVID vaccination before and would like to protect yourself, now is the time to act to ensure you have time for both primary doses.

First and second doses of the vaccine will not be offered after 30 June 2023, so please make an appointment online, speak to a pharmacist or ring 119 for more information.

The Sandbox - Online mental health support for Children and Young People

The Sandbox is an NHS-funded service to support children and young people in Hertfordshire with their mental health and well-being. 

In addition to providing NHS-funded support, the Sandbox is a central place for information about common mental health issues, with information on how to access additional support or emergency services.

Visit The Sandbox website

Support services for Young Onset Dementia

Carers in Hertfordshire are launching a new service for patients who were recently diagnosed with Young Onset Dementia and their carers.

Click here to find out more.

Primary Care Mental Health update from Hertfordshire Wellbeing (IAPT)

We are pleased to share with you the Primary Care Mental Health update by Hertfordshire Wellbeing (IAPT). 

Topics covered in this update:

• Living better with persistent pain
• SilverCloud – online self-help programme
• Women's health - Breaking taboos
• Trouble sleeping?

Click here to read and/or download a copy of the update.

To find out more, please visit the Hertfordshire Partnership University website

Support with cost of living

The rising cost of living is impacting many people, including unpaid family and friend carers. However, there is support and advice available, particularly if you are worried about finances, struggling to pay bills or want tips about how to save money or cope through this crisis.  Contact or visit www.gov.uk/cost-of-living or https://tinyurl.com/Herts-cost-of-living-help

Hertfordshire and West Essex ICB Update

The Hertfordshire and West Essex Intigrated Care Board Update is a weekly digital newsletter, sharing news on local and national updates on health and care, as well as campaigns, opportunities to get involved and events. 

The latest issue can be accessed using this link - Hertfordshire and West Essex ICB Update - 3 March 2023

To find the latest and past editions of the newsletter, and sign up to receive this into your inbox every Friday, you can use the following link - Hertfordshire and West Essex ICB Update page.

Could you save a life?

When unexpected things happen, it's vital you know what to do. Learn CPR today or teach the people you love and help us save more lives.

You do not need to be a professional to make a difference. Simple actions can dramatically increase a person's chances of surviving a heart attack.

Click here to take the 15 minutes mobile CPR training. 

Ready to take your CPR skills to the next level? The British Hear Foundation website is the best place to start.

Midway Surgery/Alban Healthcare Primary Care Network Patient Survey - Enhanced Access 2022

Many thanks to all those who responded to our survey on an extended access service. NHS England invited Practices to offer additional pre-bookable appointments later in the evenings and on Saturdays. This service is provided across a Primary Care Network (a group of Practices working together to deliver a local service). Our collaborative network is with Parkbury House Surgery and Grange Street Surgery, and across the three Practices a range of additional appointments are now being offered.  

Patient Survey Results - Alban Healthcare Extended Access 2022.pdf

NHS Patient Survey: Midway Surgery

NHS annual Patient Survey results 2022 have been announced.  The national survey is sent out centrally to a random sample of people and are anonymous. These are really helpful for us to listen to your feedback. 

Highlights of the results include:  

• 100% felt their needs were met during their last General Practice appointment
• 99% had confidence and trust in the last clinical professional they saw or spoke to in their last appointment
• 85% find the receptionists at the Surgery are helpful
• 89% of patients describe their experience at the Surgery as Good

NHS Patient Survey: Midway Surgery

Midway Surgery Patient Survey 2022: Future Services and Premises

Thank you to everyone for your valuable contribution to our patient survey.  We asked for your feedback on future services if the Surgery was able to develop and extend premises. Your support for the care provided here was very much appreciated.   

Your priorities when looking at premises development and future services were: 

• develop and extend premises to increase and improve access to consultations and existing services.  
• host phlebotomy/blood-taking service at Midway Surgery. 

The Partners at Midway Surgery have commissioned a team of professionals to explore the possibility of an extension and your input will influence that design. We will, of course, work closely with St Stephen Parish Council and St Albans City and District Council.  

Further news will follow in due course.  

Patient survey results are here Midway Surgery Patient Survey 2022.xlsx

Ukrainian support groups

Communities 1st is holding weekly sessions where Ukrainians can meet other local Ukrainians, and hosts can connect with other hosts to come together, chat and make friends. These meetings are open to all, on both the Homes for Ukraine and the Friends and Family Visa schemes.

Come along to St Albans Library, Level 2, The Maltings, St Albans, Hertfordshire AL1 3JQ from 10:30 to 12:30 every Friday starting from 19th August.

For more information email: us@communities1st.org.uk

Information session by Arthritis Action

Arthritis Action would like to invite you to an information session which will cover the services they provide, the importance of self-management and diet, exercise, pain management and how arthritis can affect people physically and mentally. There will also be an opportunity to ask questions

The session will be between 2 – 3pm on Tuesday 13 September on Microsoft Teams, if you would like to attend please let heather.aylward@nhs.net know.  A link to the meeting and any further information will be sent nearer the date

Green Travel Focus Groups - Calling Patient Volunteers

West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is looking for volunteers to join a focus group to help develop its Green Travel Plan. “The Trust is committed to reaching Net Zero by 2040 so it’s important to look at how people currently travel to our sites and access our services, and what could be done to improve that in the future.”

The Trust has already had a good response to a survey of staff and patients. The focus groups will be held via MS Teams and take 90-minutes. They will be held on 3 August and 4 August from 5.30pm to 7pm. The focus groups will provide an opportunity to find out in more detail how people travel, any alternatives they would consider, and any barriers that currently make it difficult to get the trust’s sites using public transport or active travel such as cycling or walking.

The Trust is working with consultants Systra, and volunteers should click here to register their interest on the website. Please note that there is a maximum number for each group, so volunteering to join does not automatically mean being invited to attend. Those who are asked to contribute will receive a £40 thank-you for their time.

If you have any queries, please contact Communications Project Manager Rosemary Carney at rosemary.carney@nhs.net

Slimming World free Weight Management Service for Hertfordshire

From 7th May 2022 Oviva, in Partnership with Slimming World, have been delivering Hertfordshire’s Tier 2 adult weight management service.

GP practices across the country have been at the forefront of the NHS's response to the COVID-19 outbreak and are experiencing rising demand for services. As a result, Hertfordshire County Council have produced an e-screen to promote the Tier 2 self-referral pathway. This means patients are able to access the service without seeing a healthcare professional (eligibility criteria applies).

For details of the Slimming World free Weight Management Service for Hertfordshire, in partnership with Oviva, please click here or visit http://www.oviva.com/uk/hertfordshire

Covid Spring Booster Vaccinations for over 75 year olds and people with immunosuppressed system

In a new video, lead pharmacist in the East of England Sarah Cavanagh explains why people should still get their booster vaccinations to protect themselves against COVID.

https://youtu.be/HK65F6CgOZY

Free 7-day activity pass for all adults in Hertfordshire!

Hertfordshire’s ‘It’s Never Too Late to be Active’ campaign is back from May 2022 to help everyone – especially the over 50s - become more active.
 
By joining the campaign, you’ll get a free 7-day activity pass to a local leisure centre, ongoing support to help you find the right activity, and the opportunity to win £150 sports voucher and other prizes. You could also help your local school win £1000.
 
71-year-old local retiree Jim Furman said: “The campaign made a big difference to our activity levels as it introduced us to the great activities available at our leisure centre, where we now play badminton regularly. It has made me feel really positive about trying new things.
 
“I always feel better after any kind of physical activity, especially when it is enjoyable, which the activities I’ve discovered through this campaign are.”
 
Just 20 minutes of physical activity a day provides enormous benefits to your physical and mental health, both now and in the future.
 
So, let’s give it a go.  Sign up to Never Too Late and keep your body strong, your mind sharp and spark the energy you need to keep doing the things you love.
 
Sign up at: www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/nevertoolate or call 01992 555627 or drop-in to your local library.

New website coming soon

The Midway Surgery website is currently being updated and redesigned, and as such some pages may have reduced functionality for a short time. We apologise for the inconvenience, and will endeavour to have the site fully operational as soon as possible.

If you require any information that isn't currently available on the website, please call our friendly and experienced Reception Team on 01727 832125, who will be only too happy to help.