Willingham Medical Practice Newsletter – July 2025

Surgery Closure
Please note the surgery will be CLOSED from 1pm on WEDNESDAY 16^th JULY for whole staff training.

Please plan ahead and make sure you have enough medication to last, remembering to order your repeats at least THREE WORKING DAYS before collection.

Travel Information

As the summer holidays are fast approaching many of us are turning our attention to booking holidays and making our travel plans. If you are planning to travel abroad please consider whether you will require any vaccinations. By booking a Travel Clinic appointment (at least six weeks before your date of travel) with one of our practice nurses, they can offer a general travel consultation with advice. They are also able to administer the following vaccinations (free of charge): Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Tetnus Diptheria & Polio and the MMR. For any other vaccinations we would recommend you attend the Willingham Pharmacy & Travel Clinic or MASTA, a private travel clinic, located on Hills Road in Cambridge. Please visit our website for further information and to fill out a Travel Questionnaire, which must be completed BEFORE your appointment.

For those who are on repeat medication, please plan ahead and make sure you have enough medication to last for your time away, remembering to re-order with plenty of time before you travel and allowing at least 3 working days before collection. And, just in case of emergency, we would advise that you take a list of your repeat medication with you (your repeat prescription slip would be ideal).

Finally, just a reminder that the GP is unable to sign (as proof of identification) any passport/visa applications and they will not write ‘Fit to Travel/Fly’ letter for our patients.

WILLINGHAM PHARMACY & TRAVEL CLINIC

Change of Personal Details

Please let us know if you change your name, address or telephone number. A change of address may mean that you are outside our practice area and our reception team will advise you on this. It is important we have your up to date contact details in case we need to contact you at any time. You are able to update us by visiting https://www.willinghammedicalpractice.nhs.uk/practice-information/change-of-personal-details/ or popping into the surgery and completing a change of details form for you and other members of your household, remembering to bring your photo ID for identification.

ANNUAL MEDICATION REVIEWS

ALL patients who are prescribed repeat medication are required to have an ANNUAL MEDICATION REVIEW. Regardless of the number of medications on your repeat prescription, it is a legal requirement to review your medications annually with a GP. Not only is the GP legally responsible for prescribing your medication, this is also a good opportunity to discuss any concerns or ask any questions you may have. If you fail to attend this appointment it may affect you receiving your regular monthly medication. Please note that, even if you are under a hospital consultant for any condition, you will still be required to attend this appointment.

Patient Participation Group (PPG) Meetings

The PPG brings together patients, GPs and staff from a GP practice. They meet to discuss issues relating to their surgery and the services provided to patients. This allows GPs and staff to work with patients to plan services which best meet the needs of the people who use those services. All of our patients are welcome.

The next meeting will be held on Wednesday 9^th July, 1.30-3.30pm at the Longstanton Surgery.

Vaccinations

The Pneumococcal Vaccine is available year round for everyone who is aged 65 years and over.

The RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) Vaccine is available year round for everyone who is aged between 75 and 79 years of age and for all pregnant women who are over 28 weeks.

The Shingles Vaccine is available year round for everyone who is aged between 70 and 79 years of age and have never received a shingles vaccine, for individuals who reach the age of 65 or 70 years of age during the period 01/09/23 and 31/08/2028 (these individuals should be vaccinated on or after (but not before) their 65th or 70th birthday), individuals who are aged 50 years and above and meet the definition of severe immunosuppression and for those who are aged between 18 and 49 years and receiving a stem cell transplant. Please note, when booking your second (booster) shingles vaccination, that this cannot be administered any sooner (even by one day) than six calendar months after the first vaccination was given.

BRIDGIT CARE

Carers Meetings

If you are a carer for someone and need advice and financial or emotional support, please come along to our carers support meeting on Wednesday 2^nd July, at the Wilford Furlong Centre in Willingham, where we will be holding a drop in session between 2pm and 4pm. Please come along and get some support from other people in the local community. Refreshments are provided, there’s no need to pre-book and it’s completely FREE! Meetings are held on the first Wednesday of every month and for more information please contact susan.lawson7@nhs.net

Willingham Medical Practice – July 2025