Social Prescribing supports people with a range of social, emotional or practical needs, focusing on improving health and wellbeing in a holistic way putting the person in the centre of their care. They can support people with feelings of loneliness, as well as for debt, employment or housing problems, or difficulties with their relationships.
Studies show that patients with Social Prescriptions get better and feel better faster than those treated with medication alone.
Our social prescribing link workers help with a whole range of non-clinical needs that can have a profound effect on your health and wellbeing. They have time to listen and work with patients over a number of weeks both face to face and by phone.
Although they’re unable to do it for you, they’ll be there for you the entire way, listening to your needs and providing all of the information that organisations and groups in the local area.
The Social Prescribers can put you in touch with community support and groups, as well as come along with you to get you started. They can help you plan what you want to do and get there.
North Bucks PCN Social Prescribing Service is provided by The Patient Support Service.
We are officially accredited as an Armed Forces Veteran Friendly GP Practice
Edlesborough& Pitstone Surgeries is proud to be accredited as a veterans friendly practice by the Royal College of GPs.
We are committed to following the NHS Patient Charter to ensure that our veterans have access to the help and support they may need following their service.
Please tell us if you are a military veteran so that we can make sure you are offered the support and assistance you may need, now or in the future, as a result of your service. It would help us to know in which of the Armed Forces you served, the dates of your service and whether you were discharged or retired due to ill health.
Being accredited by the Royal College of General Practitioners means that a practice can better identify and treat veterans, refer them, where appropriate, to dedicated NHS services (such as the Veterans’ Mental Health Transition, Intervention and Liaison service (TILS), the Veterans’ Mental Health Complex Treatment Service (CTS) and the Veterans Trauma Network) and capture better data to improve future health provision. It also means that the NHS is better able to meet the health commitments of the Armed Forces Covenant, which says the Armed Forces community, including veterans, should face no disadvantage in accessing health services and should receive priority care for military attributable conditions, subject to clinical need.
A veteran is someone who has served in the British Armed Forces (Regular or Reserve) for at least one day. Veterans also include any member of the Merchant Marine who has served in a war zone. This includes crew from convoys in World War 2 and more recently in the Falklands conflict and Gulf Wars.
About 18,000 service people move back into civilian life every year and whilst most of these individuals have similar levels of health to the general population, around 2,000 leave on medical grounds. The top reasons for medical discharge are for issues relating to back, knees, mental health and hearing.
Op Nova – Support for veterans who are in contact with the justice system.
Op Restore – Healthcare & welfare support for veterans, service leavers, non-mobilised reservists and, their family members and carers
Veterans UK – Offers free support and looks after the assessment, award, payment and maintenance of all pensions relating to service in the armed forces.
Veterans Gateway – Gets veterans and their families in touch with the organisations best placed to help with the advice and support they need.
Forces Employment Charity – Provides life long, life changing support, jobs and training opportunities to service leavers, veterans, reservists and their spouses, partners and children.
Simply Walk is part of a countywide programme of free, volunteer – led walks, which aims to help people get outdoors and be more active. We organise over 60 led walks to suit most abilities.
The walks are all sociable and you don’t need any special equipment to join in, just comfortable shoes.
The Pitstone Community Car Scheme aims to provide transport for those residing in the Pitstone parish to reach their medical appointments, where they are unable to do this via public transport or relatives etc.
South Beds dial a ride – for a small annual fee will provided greatly subsidised travel for exact details see the link and contact them via http://www.sbdar.co.uk/
Eaton Bray Good Neighbours
Eaton Bray Good Neighbours covers people in Eaton Bray, Edlesborough, Totternhoe & Northall.
Eaton Bray Good Neighbours can take people to GP or Hospital appointments and delivery prescriptions and shopping.
Eaton Bray Good Neighbours have a fantastic group of volunteers who are paid basic fuel costs.
Please call the number below and they will do their best to help you or signpost you to appropriate organisation.
If you would like further information either call 07930987064
Non-NHS Services
The surgery offers services that are not covered by our National Health Service (NHS) Contract. These services are known as ‘non-NHS Services’ and attract a charge – payable in advance before the activity commences.
Examples include:
Medicals for pre-employment, sports and driving requirements (HGV, PSV etc.)
Insurance claim forms
Private sick notes
Letters for children for school for any reason
Our fees are based on the British Medical Association (BMA) suggested scales and will be provided as an initial response to your Administration Triage request.
Edlesborough and Pitstone Surgery 2024-11
Please note priority will be given to NHS work and clinical care.We aim to complete all non-NHS work within 28 workings days. The charges may be higher if the work required is significantly more than expected – we will advise you in advance if this is the case.
This list is not exhaustive – please create an Administration Triage request if you have a query that is not answered above.
Item
Non-NHS Practice Charge
Private Medical Claim Formi.e. BUPA, AVIVA, etc
£100.00
Passport, or Fitness to do an activity
Not undertaken
Gun Licence Grant/Renewal
£75.00
Driving Medical (e.g. HGV, PSV, Driving License, etc.)
£150.00
Pre-employment Medical
£150.00
Private Sick Note
£50.00
Fitness to Travel (e.g. Pregnancy, etc.)
£50.00
Fast Track Routine Private Referral
£50.00
Electronic Copy of Medical Records not covered by a Subject Access Request (SAR)
Book for Stoke Mandeville Hospital via this link: https://www.buckshealthcare.nhs.uk/our-services/maternity-services/
Book for Luton and Dunstable Hospital via this link: https://www.bedfordshirehospitals.nhs.uk/our-services/maternity-2/early-self-referral-to-a-community-midwife/early-self-referral-
Our patients usually choose to have their care based at Stoke Mandeville Hospital or At the Luton and Dunstable Hospital. The Stoke Mandeville midwives hold clinics at both our sites
Health Screening & Routine Monitoring
BLOOD TESTS
Routine monitoring blood tests can be booked using the NHS APP, a Medical Total Triage request or calling the surgery
Patients are recalled for their annual reviews in the month of their birth (e.g. Date-of-Birth 01-DEC-2000 annual reviews will typically be DEC).
Patients may receive multiple reminders depending upon what annual reviews are required (wherever possible we will minimise the number of visits required to the surgery for blood tests)
If patients require additional blood tests these need to be requested using a Medical Total Triage request in advance (as they require GP approval) – please allow 5 working days for this process to be completed
Patients should ensure that they are well hydrated before the blood test as this makes the vein easier to locate (without the need for multiple attempts). Patients should hydrate with water as caffeine and other drinks have a dehydrating effect.
Patients between 40 & 75 years of age are entitled to a NHS Health Check every 5 Years
Patients will be directly invited by the surgery for their NHS Health Check
Patients who believe they are eligible however, have not been invited should create a Medical Total Triage request requesting a NHS Health Check appointment
A SMR is your opportunity to voice what matters to you and be part of a shared decision-making process regarding your medication. A SMR will help you understand your medication better and make choices with a clinical professional that bring better health outcomes to you.
Patients will receive an invitation letter from the NHS when it is time to book their Screening appointment
The letter that the patient receives will explain whether or not the Screening can be performed at the Surgery
When patients receive their letter they should create a Medical Total Triage request for a Screening appointment (if it can be performed at the Surgery otherwise follow the guidance on the letter)
We expect Test Results to be sent to the surgery electronically from the respective test service within 5 working days however, it may take longer. IF your tests were requested externally (e.g. Consultant, Hospital, etc.) please engage the clinician that requested your tests for the Test Results (the Test Results will be sent to the surgery after the requesting clinician has reviewed them with the patient).
We will review your Test Results when they are received (typically within 1 working day)
IF your Test Results show that you require immediate (acute) follow on care the surgery will contact you directly (either by telephone or text message)
IF your Test Results show that you require a review (routine) / non-urgent follow on care the surgery will send you an appointment booking link (or telephone you)
IF your Test Results are normal they will be available on the NHS APP (or by calling the surgery Test Results line)
