News

With effect from 1st May 2025 there have been some changes made to how repeat prescriptions are handled at the Practice.

National NHS policy is promoting online methods of communication to streamline services and make access easier for patients. OMP are thus encouraging all their patients to use the NHS app, Airmid and Practice website where patients are able to do so. The more prescriptions that OMP can process from online submissions (e.g. from the NHS app) the quicker and more efficient prescription management will become for everyone.

If patients do not have the app or online access, but would like to get online, patient services staff in the Practice will be on hand to assist during periods when the reception is not too busy.

Of course, the Practice accepts that not everyone will be able to use the app for a variety of reasons. If this is the case, be assured that you will still be able to post your paper repeat prescription forms at the Practice.

The prescriptions box that was previously located outside the doors has moved to the main reception to enhance the security of patient information. Please ensure you bring your repeat prescription during Practice opening hours. Do not place prescriptions in the post-box outside, as the mail goes directly to the Administration Team, which may cause delays in processing your prescription.

If you already use an app or go online to order your repeat medications, thank you and please continue.

If you would like to get online you can download the NHS app on your smartphone or tablet via the App Store on your device. You can also access it in a web browser by logging in through the NHS website.

Find out more about the NHS app

If you would like help to get online, ask at the Practice reception – help will be available in less busy periods.

The Practice is also committed to creating a greener environment. 

The consultation about proposals to bring together on-the-day minor injuries and urgent care into a Minor Illness and Injury service has now closed.

Over the period of the consultation, Healthwatch Rutland took the opportunity to talk to people about the proposals during our outreach activities. 

The feedback we have received both from these activities and via our volunteers has been brought together into a summary response document that has been submitted to commissioners.  

The key themes from public feedback include:

• Positive welcome for a combined service to reduce confusion over what is available and when.

• Concerns over reduced hours of service from 75 to 56 hours per week.

• Frustration over the continued need to travel to other centres in Melton, Stamford, Leicester etc due to X-ray availability at Rutland Memorial Hospital only 2 days per week..

• Anxiety that one of the main routes into the new service will be via NHS 111 which people do not trust due to experiences of inconsistent response times/long waits on the phone, misdirection of patients to closed or distant facilities, and doubts about the reliability of medical advice given over the phone.

• Concern that the proposals do not allow for walk-in access to the new service.

Healthwatch Rutland response to on-the-day service proposals

Our response reflects what we have heard from the public and can be read in full here:

We are proud to announce that we have been shortlisted for the national Healthwatch Impact awards!

In September 2024 Young Healthwatch Northamptonshire published a report detailing our findings on ‘Young people and their families’ experiences of Autism and ADHD diagnosis in Northamptonshire’. The project looked at young people’s experiences, the challenges they face and the support they want to receive.

Read our shortlisted report here

The feedback we received has helped improve care pathways and training for children, young people, and their families who need further support. Their insights have also influenced the Partnership Inclusion of Neurodiversity in Schools (PINS) project which will be going live in forty primary schools across the county to improve the help younger children receive whether they have a diagnosis or not.

As part of the local NHS’s Autism Strategy, a “no decision about us without us” approach has been adopted which puts the voices and experiences of neurodivergent children, young people, and their families at the heart of shaping care to meet their needs.

The National Healthwatch Impact Awards recognise outstanding examples of people sharing their experiences to improve care for their community and we are honoured to be alongside other excellent projects from across the country. The whole shortlist can be viewed here, with the winner being announced on the 13th March.

‘Our staff and volunteers are committed to ensuring that health and social care services meet the needs of local people but it’s the firsthand experiences of our residents that drive our work. Being shortlisted for this award is a proud moment for us, but the real recognition goes to everyone in the community who continuously supports our mission. This is an achievement for everyone in Northamptonshire’.

Kate Holt, CEO

The NHS in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland (LLR) is inviting people to have their say on proposals to change healthcare services in Rutland.

The proposals look to improve services for people by bringing together two existing local services – the Minor Injuries Unit and the Urgent Care Centre, creating a Minor Illness and Injury Service which would be open 8 hours a day, 7 days a week in Rutland Memorial Hospital. 

The proposed service, that would treat non-life-threatening conditions, would be provided by nurses, advanced nurse practitioners (nurses who have taken a Masters in clinical practice) and other clinicians who have access to and guidance from a GP. If people need it, they would receive a prescription for medication.

Please spend a little time to find out more about the proposals and have your say to help the local NHS understand what the proposed changes would mean for you and your family. 

The public consultation runs from Monday 13 January until Sunday 16 March 2025

To get involved:

• Find out about the proposals and complete the consultation questionnaire online at www.bit.ly/rutlandsurvey 
• Email your views to: llricb-llr.beinvolved@nhs.net 
• Telephone: 0116 295 7532 to receive a paper copy of the questionnaire or information in another format
• Pick a copy of the questionnaire from a local community or public venue in Rutland
• Write to the NHS at Freepost Plus RUEE-ZAUY-BXEG, Rutland Consultation, NHS LLR ICB, Room G30, Pen Lloyd Building, County Hall, Glenfield, Leicester, LE3 8TB
• Follow social channels: 
  Facebook: @NHS Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland
  X:  @NHS_LLR
• Come along to a drop-in event 

There are 4 drop in events that will enable you to find out more and complete a questionnaire in hardcopy:

Greetham Community Centre, Great Lane, Greetham LE15 7NG
Thursday 13 February 2025, 9.30am – 12.30pm

Oakham Library, Catmose St. Oakham LE15 6HW
Wednesday 26 February 2025, 9.30am-12.30pm

The Falcon Hotel, 7 High St E, Uppingham LE15 9PY
Friday 7 March 2025, 9.30am-12.30pm

Empingham Medical Centre 37 Main St, Empingham LE15 8PR
Tuesday 11 March 2025, 11am-1pm  

We want to understand the journey self-funders take to find out what help is available to make decisions about what care and support to obtain.

By ‘self-funders’ we mean people whose assets exceed the threshold for local authority funding and who pay for their own social care and support or care home accommodation. If you have looked for information about paying for social care/support for yourself or someone else, we’d like to hear from you! Have you found the information you need? If you have gone on to arrange and pay for care or support, are you happy that you got good information and guidance to help with your decision?

Our online survey takes just 4-5 minutes to complete, or we can send you a hard copy. We are also offering an in-person chat or half hour telephone call if anyone would prefer to talk in a bit of detail about their experiences.

To request a hardcopy survey please email info@healthwatchrutland.co.uk or leave a message on 01572720381.

In November Healthwatch Rutland and Healthwatch North and West Northamptonshire attended the Healthwatch England National Conference in London. Being 2 of 153 local Healthwatch, it was a great opportunity for us to network with other local Healthwatch and hear about their successes and challenges from the past year.

The day began with a celebratory speech from the Healthwatch England Chair, Professor David Croisdale-Appleby. David said that following his visits to many of the local Healthwatch this year, he has been ‘stunned’ by the network’s achievements. Healthwatch England Chief Executive Louise Ansari said Healthwatch colleagues’ efforts to reduce health inequalities ‘day in, day out’ fills her with enormous pride. 

There was a panel discussion around the NHS 10-year plan for health care which is currently in the engagement phase of development. Panel member and government minister for patient safety, women’s health and mental health, Baroness Merron acknowledged the work of Healthwatch and highlighted the importance of listening to patients to make the patient experience better. 

The key thing is culture and leadership. You can put resource in, but it will deliver very little.

Baroness Merron

It was a great day to learn more about Healthwatch England’s plans and aspirations and to talk with other leaders of local Healthwatch about their organisations, their local difficulties and their work to improve care services. I came away knowing more about the direction of travel for the NHS and Healthwatch.

Dr Janet Underwood, Healthwatch Rutland Chair