In the month of February we had 72 GP face to face appointments where patients did not attend.

We also had 154 nurse & phlebotomy appointments where patients did not attend.

This is more than 5 days of missed appointment time.

Each missed GP appointment costs the NHS an average of £30 per person (Source: NHS).

If you are unable to attend your appointment please call the surgery to cancel or re-arrange so we can offer the appointment again.

In the month of February we had 59 GP face to face appointments where patients did not attend.

We also had 123 nurse & phlebotomy appointments where patients did not attend.

This is more than 5 days of missed appointment time.

Each missed GP appointment costs the NHS an average of £30 per person (Source: NHS).

If you are unable to attend your appointment please call the surgery to cancel or re-arrange so we can offer the appointment again.

This is a small group of patients who volunteer to help ensure that Brannam Medical Centre provides the services patients need. The group meet quarterly to discuss planned health service developments, health promotion initiatives and to provide the opportunity to raise any issues which are of concern and/or will help to improve the standard of care offered by the practice.

If you are interested in joining our group please contact Sarah on 01271 329004.

The Virtual HOPE Programme is available to anyone over the age of 18, living in Devon. This is a FREE six week online programme specifically aimed at carers who would like to find new coping strategies to help improve their own physical and emotional wellbeing.

This course will allow you to connect with other carers. Take this time for yourself to prioritise your wellbeing, increasing your sense of control and your resiliense.

The programme will be delivered on Microsoft Teams starting Friday 1st March.

For more infomation please call - 01803 320696/320600, email - hope.devon@nhs.net or visit HOPE Devon

Sign up here

Please note that we have had a new telephone system installed.

Please bear with us as your query may take longer to deal with whilst we get used to the new technology.

If you have any books at home which you don’t need anymore, we would love to take them off your hands.

Our book table in reception is looking a bit empty now and we are asking for any donations of books to help us raise money for our charity.

In the month of January we were open for 30 days.

In the time we were open we received 14,676 calls, which is an average of 489 telephone calls into the practice a day.

In the month of January we had 83 GP face to face appointments where patients did not attend.

We also had 188 nurse & phlebotomy appointments where patients did not attend.

This is more than 7 days of missed appointment time.

Each missed GP appointment costs the NHS an average of £30 per person (Source: NHS).

If you are unable to attend your appointment please call the surgery to cancel or re-arrange so we can offer the appointment again.

Our half day closing last Thursday proved very valuable for our staff. They were taken through an emergency scenario lead by our Advanced Care Practitioners. A huge 'thank you' to Lin, a very valued member of our Patient Participation Group who helped with the scenario.

LiveMind is a four-session mindfulness-based course aimed at people who have experienced mental health difficulties in the past and are looking to manage and maintain their wellbeing.

Two groups will be starting in February. For more details please click here.

Cervical screening can help stop cancer before it starts. If you missed your last one, book an appointment with us now.

• We will do everything we can to make you feel comfortable. If you’re nervous, you can get in touch before, or speak to us at the appointment to let us know you’d like support.
• If you’re nervous and need more time for your screening, ask the receptionist for a longer appointment when booking. You can also bring someone you trust to the appointment, such as a friend or family member.
• During the appointment you can ask for a private space to undress from the waist down, as well as a sheet to cover you. You can also wear a long top or dress during the screening.
• All our cervical screenings are performed by a female nurse or doctor, but you can request this when you book.
• You can bring your favourite music or podcast to listen to during your appointment if this helps put you at ease.

Superdrug Barnstaple will recycle your medicine blister packs.

No bulk drop off's please. They don't have a collection box in store but you can hand them over to their staff on the tills.

From the 1st of January 2024 Brannam Medical Centre will be capping their practice list and are therefore unable to take any new registrations.

Due to our increasing list size, we feel that continuing to take on more patients would jeopardise our ability to provide safe care to those already registered at the practice.

Please see our website for more information.

You can find details of other practices at www.nhs.uk or ask a member of staff for assistance.

Thank you.

In the month of November we were open for 22 days.

In the time we were open we received 14,552 calls, which is an average of 662 telephone calls into the practice a day.

In the month of November we had 102 GP face to face appointments where patients did not attend.

We also had 212 nurse & phlebotomy appointments where patients did not attend.

This is more than 8 days of missed appointment time.

Each missed GP appointment costs the NHS an average of £30 per person (Source: NHS).

If you are unable to attend your appointment please call the surgery to cancel or re-arrange so we can offer the appointment again.

Dementia is progressive - signs and symptoms may be relatively mild at first but they get worse with time. While dementia affects everyone differently, it can be helpful to think of the progression in three stages. Click here to find out more - Alzheimer's Society

At many GP surgeries, there is a range of health professionals who can help you.

The reception team is trained to help people get the right care or service for their health needs.

Your general practice team is here to help you.

In the month of October we were open for 22 days.

In the time we were open we received 15,350 calls, which is an average of 698 telephone calls into the practice a day.

In the month of October we had  78 GP face to face appointments where patients did not attend.

We also had 157 nurse & phlebotomy appointments where patients did not attend.

This is more than 6 days of missed appointment time.

Each missed GP appointment costs the NHS an average of £30 per person (Source: NHS).

If you are unable to attend your appointment please call the surgery to cancel or re-arrange so we can offer the appointment again.

Find out about all the things a community pharmacist and their team can do to help you meet your healthcare needs here. Community pharmacists work alongside your GP to help you and your family stay healthy.

In the month of Septmeber we had 94 GP face to face appointments where patients did not attend. We also had 180 nurse and phlebotomy appointments where patients did not attend.

This is more than 7 days of missed appointment time. Each missed GP appointment costs the NHS an average of £30 per person (Source: NHS).

If you are unable to attend your appointment please call the surgery to cancel or re-arrange, so we can offer the appointment again.

In the month of Septmeber, we were open for 21 days. 

In the time we were open we received 14,671 calls, which is an average of 699 telephone calls into the practice a day.

Superdrug in Barnstaple will recycle your medicine blister packs. No bulk drop off's please. They don't have a collection box in store but you can hand them over to their staff on the tills.

Sexual Health Week raises awareness of sexual health to help empower everyone to make informed choices about contraception, consent and relationships. Devon Sexual Health services are free, confidential and non-judgemental. See their website for more info: https://devonsexualhealth.nhs.uk

Due to the Bank Holidays we were open for 30 days in August. In the time we were open we recieved 15,519 calls, which is an average of 517 telephone calls into the practice a day.

In the month of August we had 78 GP face to face appointments where patients did not attend. We also had 217 nurse and phlebotomy appointments where patients did not attend.

This is more than 7 days of missed appointment time. Each missed GP appointment costs the NHS an average of £30 per person (Source: NHS).

If you are unable to attend your appointment please call the surgery to cancel or re-arrange, so we can offer the appointment again.

Elder Day is a day when Barnstaple takes extra care of our older residents on the 1st Wednesday of every month 10am-3pm

In the month of July we were open for 21 days.

In the time we were open we recieved 14,048 calls, which is an average of 669 telephone calls into the practice a day.

In the month of July we had 88 GP face to face appointmetns where patients did not attend. We also had 187 nurse and phlebotomy appointments where patients did not attend.

This is more than 7 days of missed appointment time. Each missed GP appointment costs the NHS an average of £30 per person (Source: NHS).

If you are unable to attend your appointment please call the surgery to cancel or re-arrange so we can offer the appointment again.

If you need mental health support in Devon (excluding Plymouth), rather than going to A&E, contact the First Response Service, which provides 24/7 expert support. Call: 0808 196 8708

The Fern Centre is a specially designed building to help bridge the gap in care supporting patients’ holistic needs to promote wellbeing during their cancer journey.

Find out what's happening at the Over and Above Fern Centre in August ⇒ What's On For August

Thank you to all the patients who completed the patient survey. Please click here for the results......

In the month of June we had 126 GP face to face appointments where patients did not attend.

We also had 239 nurse & phlebotomy appointments where patients did not attend.

This is more than 9 days of missed appointment time.

Each missed GP appointment costs the NHS an average of £30 per person (Source: NHS).

If you are unable to attend your appointment please call the surgery to cancel or re-arrange so we can offer the appointment again.

This is a website for advice and support for both children and grown-ups, or parents can visit https://chathealth.nhs.uk/start-a-chat/ to start an online chat with the school nurse service.

www.healthforkids.co.uk

If you're a teen that would like confidential health advice and support click here

Due to the Bank Holidays we were open for 20 days in May.

In the time we were open we received 14,259 calls, which is an average of 713 telephone calls into the practice a day.

In one week we had 30 GP face to face appointments where patients did not attend.

In the same week we had 52 nurse & phlebotomy appointments where patients did not attend.

This is more than 2 days of missed appointment time.

Each missed GP appointment costs the NHS an average of £30 per person (Source: NHS).

If you are unable to attend your appointment please call the surgery to cancel or re-arrange so we can offer the appointment again.

If you care for a family member or are a professional care worker, this advice will help you keep the person safe. Click the link here to learn about risks and what to do about them, including their free home safety visit service.

Sexually transmitted infections are on the increase in the South West. The best prevention is to always wear a condom. If you're under 25, you can order FREE condoms here.

To find an open pharmacy near you, click here.

Do you want to enhance your resilience through these difficult times, rediscover strengths and increase your ability to cope?

The Devon HOPE Programme are launching courses across North Devon to support people who are living with long-term health conditions. Specifically aimed at people who are experiencing anxiety & depression, fibromyalgia, stroke survivors, chronic pain, Multiple Sclerosis, and various other long term conditions.

For more information please email j.cotton@encompass-sw.org.uk 

Join Vista Wellbeing CIC for this new course, aimed at complete beginners or those who would like to brush up their technique in order to get the most from their walks. Nordic Walking is great for taking pressure off the joints, improving posture, increasing range of movement and improving cardiovascular endurance. 10.30am every Friday for 12 weeks, meeting at the stone semi-circle between the bowling club and the skate park in Rock Park, Barnstaple. They provide the poles and the specialist instructor, you just bring yourselves. Please contact Vista Wellbeing beforehand to secure your place.

Unfortunately, we have had numerous occasions of ambulances not being able to gain access to the surgery for emergencies due to cars blocking the roads outside the building.

Can we kindly ask everyone coming into the Surgery or to LLoyds Pharmacy to please use the car park at Belle Meadow (next to surgery).

Thank you for your co-operation and understanding.

Please be aware we may contact some of our patients via text message using a service called AccuRx. Through this, we may ask you to book various appointments via an attached link or ask you to complete some questions through a 'Florey' to help us monitor, manage and update your medical records.

To send these messages we ask that you ensure we have your current contact details. If you prefer for us not to send you any text messages please contact Reception.

Thank you!

GPs from within our Primary Care Network (Fremington, Brannam, Litchdon & Queens Medical Centres) are a part of this service and run weekly GP Outreach Clinics from within the Freedom Centre to help improve the patient’s access to our healthcare services.

Freedom Centre in Barnstaple - BBC News

We are syaing a fond farewell to 2 of our brilliant GPs - Dr Jackie Tolhurst is retiring after 9 years as a Partner here at Brannams and Dr Iain Stewart after an impressive 21 years as a Partner at Brannams. We wish them both a wonderful and enjoyable retirement. Thank you for all your hard work you have given to us!

Please note that turnaround is now 5 WORKING DAYS. Unfortunatley, we have had to extend this from 3 working days due to extra workload and staffing.

Thank you for your understanding

Are you or someone you love looking for diabetes advice? Call Diabetes UK helpline on 0345 123 2399 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm) or email helpline@diabetes.org.uk

Sharon Bates, the management lead for the Barnstaple Alliance Primary Care Network (PCN), has won the Practice Managers Association (PMA) PCN Manager of the Year. For more details please click here.