Willingham Medical Practice Newsletter– June 2026
Volunteer Opportunity: Chair of the Patient Participation Group (PPG)
We are looking for a new Chair for our Patient Participation Group (PPG). The PPG is a group of patients who work with the practice team to help improve services, share patient views and support the development of the practice. As Chair, you would lead meetings, help set agendas, and act as a key link between patients and the practice.
Any patient registered with Willingham Medical Practice, who is interested in representing patient views and helping shape local healthcare services, can apply. No previous experience is required – just enthusiasm, good communication skills and a willingness to get involved. If you are interested or would like more information, please contact Sharon Unwin, Practice Manager. We would love to hear from you and welcome new voices to the PPG.
Annual Medication Reviews
ALL patients prescribed repeat medications require an annual review, typically held during their birth month. 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, but 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.
Suspected breast cancer self-referral service
Patients with worrying breast cancer symptoms can now be referred directly to specialist clinics in hospital, without needing a GP appointment. The new self-referral service is available via NHS 111 online or the NHS App and means patients do not need to wait for a GP appointment and subsequent hospital referral, offering eligible patients’ faster access to diagnostic care. Patients complete an online symptom assessment via NHS 111 online. Those who meet the eligibility criteria are offered direct self-referral to the specialist breast service at Addenbrooke’s, Peterborough City or Hinchingbrooke Hospitals. Those who do not meet the criteria are provided with advice and signposted to alternative services that can help with their symptoms.
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 applications and they will not write ‘Fit to Travel/Fly’ letter for our patients.
Contacting the Surgery
Emails to the surgery are not the appropriate route for our patients to make clinical contact with the GP and we ask that you do not convey any clinical information this way. This includes, for example, asking clinical questions, letting the GP know that you are changing doses of your medication or wanting to update the GP before attending an appointment with them. On receipt of such emails, our only response will be to ask you make a GP appointment.
Please also note that we are unable to book appointments via email or our AccuRx Patient Triage system. You are able to make your appointment via SystmOnline, by using the NHS App or telephoning the surgery and speaking to our reception team.
Vaccinations
The Pneumococcal Vaccine is available year-round for everyone aged 65 years and over. |
The RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) Vaccine is available year-round for everyone aged 75 and over, as well as all pregnant women from the 28th week of their pregnancy. |
The Shingles Vaccine is available year-round for everyone who is aged between 65 and 80 years, 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. |
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 3rd June, 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 alaine.bunce@nhs.net@nhs.net
We are pleased to be welcoming Becca Perkins, a Care Advisor in the community for Caring Together, to our June meeting and look forward to her presentation, which will start at 2pm and last for approximately 45 minutes.
WILLINGHAM & LONGSTANTON SURGERIES
Willingham 01954 260230 / Longstanton 01954 207600 / Dispensary 01954 207602
Website: www.willinghammedicalpractice.nhs.net
Community (District) Nurses: 0330 726 0077 Health Visitors: 0300 029 5050
A&E is not an alternative to a GP appointment
When the surgery is closed, please call 111 for medical assistance, or 999 for a life-threatening emergency
For urgent mental health support, please call 111 and select option 2
