PATIENT PARTICIPATION GROUP NEWSLETTER

Winter 2025-26

 Flu and Childhood Vaccination

Hospital admissions for flu have increased by 63% in the last week.

The uptake for children’s flu this year has been extremely low, NHSE have requested all GP Practices to urgently reach out to their patients, to specifically encourage parents to have their 2-3 year old children protected against flu as a matter of priority. 

Northgate Medical Practice are holding a walk-in flu and COVID clinic at the Sea Cadets Vauxhall Road on Monday 15th December all day from 8.30pm until 4.30pm so please pop-in for a flu vaccine, nasal flu will also be available for 2-3 year olds and an appointment is not necessary.                                                                                 

Parents should be aware of the vaccinations that their children should have from a young age for protection. The PPG will be helping to publicise the national campaign to get young people vaccinated.  They will be taking the message into the city with a display in the Beaney Centre over the weekend of 24^th/25^th January and another after that at the Kingsmead Leisure Centre.  This will be a joint venture with the Canterbury Medical Practice.   Here’s a reminder of why it is important to get you child vaccinated:

• help to protect you and your child from many serious and potentially deadly diseases`.
• protect other people in your family and community – by helping to stop diseases spreading to people who cannot have vaccines, such as babies too young to be vaccinated and those who are too ill to be vaccinated
• undergo rigorous safety testing before being introduced – they're also constantly monitored for side effects after being introduced
• reduce or even get rid of some diseases – if enough people are vaccinated.

Looking to the Future – National GP Appointment Changes

The practice is currently exploring a move towards a ‘total triage’ model as mandated by the Government to be in place by 1 April 2026 to help Practices manage demand more effectively and ensure patients are directed to the most appropriate care as quickly as possible. Watch this space for future developments.

Diabetes Support Group. 

Our next meeting dates for the Diabetes Support Groups are:-

Wednesday 28^th January at 12.30pm at Northgate Medical Practice: Abby Ixer, Diabetes Specialist Dietitian with East Kent Hospitals University Foundation Trust. Let’s start the New Year off and support all type 2 diabetics. 

Wednesday 25^th March at 12.30 at Northgate Medical Practice: Dr. Neil Brown MRCPod BSc BA MBA EdD, Chief Executive officer Canterbury Age Concern who will be talking about the importance of looking after your feet if you are a diabetic.         

Our previous talk was on the NHS/Diabetesukengland.nhs.uk programme Pathway to Remission full details can be found at England.nhs.uk/diabetes/treatment-care/diabetes-remission.

If anyone has a couple of hours a month to spare and would be interested in joining the committee, please contact sally@sallyhatcher.co.uk.

Private Travel and Health Vaccination Clinics: A Reminder

Due to popular demand, private COVID and all travel vaccinations, including RSV, pneumonia, shingles, yellow fever, dengue fever, and whooping cough, are available year-round at Northgate Medical Practice. For more information and to book an appointment, please fill out the form at www.canterburyvaccinationsite.co.uk.

Important Appointment Reminders

• Cancel Unneeded Appointments: If you no longer need your appointment, please cancel it. This helps free up slots for others.
• e-Consult Requests: If you secure a regular appointment after requesting an e-Consult, please cancel the e-Consult. This prevents wasting valuable appointment slots.
• Blood Test Tips: We have daily appointments for blood tests. To ensure accurate results, drink plenty of fluids before your appointment.
• Shingles Vaccination: If you're over 70 and received a text from us, please book your shingles vaccination.  There is a dedicated shingles clinic on Friday 16^th January.

Staff Changes

New Staff:    

Dr Oliver Austin who joined us in February 2025.

Holly and Lauren our new Health care assistants who joined us earlier this year.

Vasilica who joined us as our new Clinical Services secretary

Dawn, Molly, Charm, Wendy who have joined our team as Care Navigators, helping ensure patients are directed to the most appropriate services.

We’re pleased to have them all on board and look forward to the valuable contributions they’ll bring to our practice.

We would also like to share that Emilie our Medical Secretary will be going on maternity leave at Christmas. We wish her all the very best during this exciting time.

Pastures New:                                                                                                    

Tracey left us in June to pursue new opportunities. We are incredibly grateful for the contributions she made to the practice and the positive impact she had on colleagues and patients. We wish her every success and happiness in the next chapter of her career.

Pandora left the practice in October to take up an exciting new opportunity as Lead HR. We are delighted for her and have no doubt she will excel in her new role. We thank her for everything she brought to the team and wish her all the very best.

Do you have the NHS App?

The NHS App is a useful free app. Search online for ‘NHS App’ to download it. After downloading, set up a login with your email, phone number (mobile or landline), NHS number, and personal details. You can then access your health records and available services.                                                                                                                     

You can order repeat prescriptions, make appointments, book vaccinations, and access NHS 111 for advice and help.

Walk and Talk Group

The Walk and Talk group has been meeting on a regular basis this year and will resume its activities in March 2026. The picture shows members of the group taking a break in the Westgate Gardens. These walks are very informal, friendly and undemanding, and last about 90 minutes.  

Cake Sale for Macmillan Nurses

In September members of the PPG helped to organise a cake sale, as well as promoting cancer awareness. Around £200 was raised: thanks to all who contributed cakes or bought them.

 If you are interested in joining the Patients Participation Group please contact Alison Clarke: alison.clarke72@nhs.com.

We look forward to welcoming you in the New Year.