Newsletter March 2025

 

Blood tests

There has been some confusion regarding the protocol for having a blood test at the surgery. Due to financial constraints the Partners have had to make the difficult decision to limit who we can provide a blood test for at the surgery. We will continue to provide bloods for those who are:

  • Over 70
  • A Vulnerable patient , or you have no care or transport available to you
  • Patients that need to be monitored because they are on certain medication
  • Patients with long term conditions such as Diabetes.
  • You are a patient with Mental Health issues
  • You have been asked to have an ECG and blood test for an urgent condition

All other blood, including those instigated by the hospital need to either have them taken at the hospital or at the Newmarket Road Park and Ride, Newmarket Road, Cambridge, CB5 8AA.

We do apologise for the inconvenience, however, we do not have the funding or resource to continue to provide bloods for every patient.

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Dispensary

Are you aware that for those of you that live further than a mile away from Well Pharmacy, you can register with our dispensary as a dispensing patient, which means you will be able to pick up your prescription at the surgery.

We also provide a delivery service on a Tuesday and Friday, for those of you that may find it difficult to come to the surgery.

Please ask at the Dispensary hatch if this is something that would help you.

 

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Park Run

As part of our commitment to the health and wellness of our community, Orchard Surgery in Melbourn has linked with Wimpole Estate parkrun and is now officially a parkrun practice. The parkrun practice initiative is a collaboration between the Royal College of General Practitioners and parkrun UK, designed to encourage practices across the UK to develop close links with their local parkrun.

Parkruns are social physical activity events which are held every Saturday morning. People can walk, run, volunteer or come along and watch. Taking part in parkrun is the perfect opportunity for people of all ages to be active, with others, in the open air. By linking with Wimpole Estate parkrun, we want to inspire as many people as possible to lead healthy lifestyles, including practice staff.

Join Orchard Surgery at parkrun and discover the joy of movement while connecting with your fantastic community.

See more here.

 

Veteran Practice

We are now an Armed Forces Veteran friendly accredited GP Practice. This means that, as part of the health commitments of the Armed Forces Covenant, we have a dedicated clinician who has a specialist knowledge of military related health conditions and veteran specific health services.

This is important in helping individuals who have served in the Armed Forces get the care and treatment that is right for them. If you have served in the UK Armed Forces, please let your health professional know to help ensure you are getting the best possible care.

Find more information here.

 

Staff News

Some of you may be aware that there are some staff changes on the way. Dr Helen O’Sullivan will be leaving the Practice on the 13th March.

Dr O’Sullivan has been an integral part of the surgery for many years and she will be sorely missed by staff and patients alike. We wish Dr O’Sullivan all the best as she starts her new role.

We are delighted to announce that Dr Lorraine Peck will become a permanent member of our team as she take up a salaried post from the 1st April. We are delighted to have her, and Dr Peck will take over Dr Sullivan’s list.

Dr Caroline Rodgers will be leaving us on the 12th May to take up a lead GP post at another surgery. She will be greatly missed, but wish her all the best.  As a result, we are in the process of recruiting another salaried GP to start in May to take on Dr Rodgers’ patients. 

We are pleased to have 2 new Registrars join the practice, Dr Paulino and Dr Collett, who will be with us for the next year. They have already settled in well. 

We have also been recruiting for a new secretary – who will hopefully start in the next few weeks.

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Appointment System

We are currently trialling appointments on the day only. This was a system that we instigated during the winter months in order to manage the demand of the patients. We have decided to continue with this for a few months more and will be evaluating the efficiency of this system in due course.

Patients are requested to ring the surgery at 8:30 , where they will either be offered an appointment, or will be placed on the triage list for the GP to  triage. 

 
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Advance warning of  closure afternoons

We will be closed on the following dates:

  • Wednesday 19th March 2025 - 2pm to 6pm
  • Wednesday 9th April 2025 - 2pm to 6pm
  • Thursday 15th May 2025 - 2pm to 6pm
  • Tuesday 17th June 2025 - 2pm to 6pm

Surgery Contact Details

Published: Mar 13, 2025