Due to a national issue our clinical software is not working intermittently so please be patient while the software team try to get us back online. 

12:18pm 19-05-2025

Updated as at 7pm 21-07-2024

Due to the General Practice IT systems impacted by an IT outage on Friday the 19th of July

We are currently prioritizing rebooking canceled routine appointments,

If your call is of a routine nature and can wait could we please ask you to call back later in the week.

Much work will be going on in the background trying to catch up on unfulfilled work that was unable to be done so Please be patient with the staff has they try to navigate these issues.

We thank you for your support as always.

Updated as at 1pm 19-07-2024

Some of our general practice IT systems are impacted by an IT outage. The clinical computer systems used by our GPs in Brent, Harrow, Hillingdon, Dormers Wells practice in Ealing and Spring Grove practice in Hounslow are currently unable to access patient records, including telephone numbers and email addresses. Telephone appointments may not be possible until this matter is resolved.

If you have a appointment booked and the issue is urgent you are advised to call the practice or use NHS 111 online. If you are expecting a regular repeat prescription, you should visit your pharmacy, who can issue an urgent prescription covering 3 days.

If you require medical advice, please visit your community pharmacist or Get help for your symptoms - NHS 111.

Dear Harefield Practice Patients,

We are aware that many of you are very worried about the media reports regarding the British Medical Association’s GP ballot and news that GPs plan to take Collective Industrial Action:

https://news.sky.com/story/gps-vote-to-take-collective-action-for-first-time-in-60-years-13188629

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c72vp774rp3o

98.3% of those who voted have indicated that they are willing to take this action, which would appear to be a decisive and damning condemnation of the present situation in General Practice throughout the UK.

Full details of the BMA’s planned action can be found here:

https://www.bma.org.uk/our-campaigns/gp-campaigns/contracts/gp-contract-202425-changes 

At The Harefield Practice, as many of you will be acutely aware, we have already been on a journey together.

We are working tirelessly as we continue to improve the services that we offer you, and thank you for your patience while we make the changes that are needed.

While we share the intense frustration with our GP colleagues around the country over the deeply inadequate funding and unreasonable pressures placed on our team and our patients over many years, we have at this moment elected NOT to take ANY action which may in ANY WAY impact the care that we offer to our patients.

If we were prepared to “work to rule” and not go the extra mile as a matter of routine, this practice would have closed already.

While we understand and support our GP colleagues who find they need to take a different path, our specific situation in Harefield right now means that we will not be making any negative changes to our services.

As our patients, you already know that when you come to the surgery you may have to wait while we help the patients in front of you, which can be frustrating. Please help us help you. While, as a matter of safety, we do not make you end your appointment after discussing just one medical problem, we kindly ask that you respect your fellow patients and don’t make plans to deliberately use the next person’s appointment as well as your own. We understand that sometimes, you just need a little more time. If you do have a list of problems to discuss, kindly inform reception and they will find you a longer than usual appointment, to lessen the impact on fellow patients.

Having to wait is frustrating for everyone, which is why we are pleased to announce that over the next few weeks, two new excellent doctors are joining our team.

We also know that when you call us, you wish we were given more resources to help you faster. We have actively been helping patients with more urgent problems faster than those with less serious conditions for some time now, which is why we always ask you what is wrong when you call; and we are aware that for some, the delay in getting an appointment with us and even the delay to get through on the phone has been frustrating.

We are continuously finding ways to improve. Our telephone waiting times are now, on average, less than 3 minutes. If it is busy, and your problem could wait, please consider calling back later to enable patients with urgent problems to get through to us faster.

Our upgraded telephone system is now able to listen to you and recognise your voice, so for many issues (such as requesting medication) you don’t have to wait to speak to anyone at all.

We are negotiating with our local NHS Commissioners to protect and maximise our funding so that we can continue to provide you with the very highest level and range of services, while at the same time we are have been asked to share our ideas, innovations and experience with the wider NHS so that others can benefit from the lessons we have learned rebuilding The Harefield Practice.

In summary, please do not worry. It is business as usual in Harefield, and as usual, if you think of anything that we could be doing better, just let us know.

With Kind regards,

The Harefield Practice Partners

Dr Rajivi Sanjeevi

Dr Anthony Gallagher

Mr Scott Ridley

Letter to our patients 05-08-2024

We are pleased to offer our patients the option 24-7 to check for their upcoming appointments without necessarily speaking to a member of the reception team. You can also choose to cancel your appointments if you need.

CPR Training

Defib Finder

Harefield Practice Patient Newsletter – Episode 1 -Quarterly newsletter

Welcome to the first edition of patient newsletter for patients on the Harefield Practice. This newsletter will contain information for patients on their GP practice.

Patient Feedback Survey July 2023

Thank you to those who completed our last patient survey. This feedback, along with other sources, will inform an action plan that the practice will be using to help us improve our services.

There were 315 responses to the survey and 80% of patients completing the survey have interacted with the practice in the last 3 months.

Below is a summary of the feedback and some actions we will be taking to improve the feedback.

NEW Facebook page for patients of Harefield Practice

Join us on Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/groups/theharefieldpractice

The practice has recently started a Facebook group to support patients who use social media to access information

about the practice and relevant health education. The page is monitored by the practice management team.

Harefield Practice is promoting use of the NHS app for patients to support management of their health and care.

HAVE YOU VISITED THE HEALTH POD?

Whilst you wait, please visit the pod

to check and update us of your

BLOOD PRESSURE HEIGHT & WEIGHT

Have you noticed our new

ticket system in reception?

To control footfall, we advise our patients to submit a patches, e-contact or telephone us.

If you need to come down, there is now a ticket system. We noticed & patients have feedback when they are at the front desk with a query personal space is not always respected when someone is directly standing behind them in ear shot of confidential conversations.

Some conversations can take a while and we do not wish our patients who are unable to stand for long periods of time having to stand when they can take a seat.

Please press the button on the black box located on the reception desk take a ticket & take a seat Your number will be called when the receptionist is free and there is confidential space.

Patient Call Summary 2023

Friends and Family Test Results

Shingles vaccination programme

From 1 September 2023, the vaccine programme is being offered to healthy people turning 65 or 70 years on, or after, that date.

The roll out will continue at these ages until all those aged 65 years in 2023 have turned 70 and been offered vaccination (in 2028).

In 2028, the vaccine offer will also be extended to those turning 60, as well as those turning 65.

In 2033, the Shingrix shingles vaccine will become a routine offer at age 60 (by which time all those turning 65 years will have already been offered the vaccine). Once you have become eligible, you will remain eligible for the shingles vaccine until your 80th birthday.

Eligibility

You can view or download information on the eligibility for the programme.

People aged 50 years and over with a severely weakened immune system

If you have a severely weakened immune system and are over 50, you remain eligible and there is no upper age limit.

Individuals aged 65 years who are not eligible for the vaccine this year

Anyone whose 65th birthday occurred before 31 August 2023 will not be eligible until they turn 70. You will be invited by your GP practice to have the vaccine.

Eventually the vaccine will be offered to everyone over 60 but this is being phased in to make sure the NHS can deliver this programme effectively alongside other seasonal and routine vaccination programmes and other healthcare priorities.

The roll-out is based on the advice of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). When any vaccination programme is introduced, difficult decisions need to be made on who will be eligible first and in what order they should be offered the vaccine. These decisions are based on a combination of factors including the risk of the disease and the effectiveness of the vaccine in different age groups, vaccine supply and the capacity of the NHS to deliver the programme alongside other important healthcare priorities.

Eligibility if you turn 65 in 2024

You will be eligible to have your shingles vaccine once you turn 65. Your GP practice will invite you.

Individuals aged 66 to 69 years

Individuals aged 66 to 69 years will have to wait until they become 70 to receive shingles vaccine.

Programmes that initially require vaccination of a large number of people are complicated to deliver. The order of the rollout is based on the advice of the JCVI who advised that the shingles vaccination programme could be implemented in stages. It is expected that a phased rollout will be more effective than a one-off campaign to reach everyone eligible. ## Why you need 2 doses of Shingrix vaccine

Shingrix is a non-live vaccine, and you will need 2 doses to give you the best longer-lasting protection.

For most people the second dose of Shingrix will be offered from 6 to 12 months after the first dose. If you have a severely weakened immune system your second dose of Shingrix should be given earlier, but at least 8 weeks after dose one. Your GP practice will let you know when to book for the second dose.

Missing your shingles vaccine

If you missed your first dose of shingles vaccine

You can still have your shingles vaccine if you are in an eligible age group.

If you missed your second dose of vaccine

You can still have your shingles vaccine, you should contact your GP practice to arrange an appointment for your second dose.

If you are over 80 and have a severely weakened immune system and you missed your vaccine

You can still have your shingles vaccine. Anyone aged 50 and above with a severely weakened immune system can have the shingles vaccines. You should try to have it as soon as possible.

Shingles vaccine given with other vaccinations

You can have your shingles vaccine at the same time as your COVID-19, flu or pneumococcal vaccine. Don’t delay vaccination, have your vaccines as soon as you are invited by your GP practice.

Paying for the shingles vaccine privately

The Shingrix vaccine is available at cost from private vaccination clinics to anyone aged 50 years and over.

Further information

Guide to the shingles vaccination leaflet.

Shingles vaccine on NHS.UK.

Shingrix vaccine patient leaflet – given as 2 doses.

Most of our patients over 16 can now see new information added to their health record. This includes notes from your GP appointments, test results, medications, and letters from hospitals added to your record since [date]

You can view this via the NHS App, NHS website, or another GP online app you use. If you don't want to see your record, speak to your GP. You can visit www.nhs.uk/gp-record for more information or visit our website.

Like many things that are lucky enough to celebrate their 75th birthday, The NHS finds itself facing some ups and downs today. The heart is beating strong, but the knees are not what they used to be!

The history of the NHS

Treating 1.3 million people a day in England, the NHS touches all our lives, and today we cannot imagine life without it. As we mark 75 years of the NHS, we look back on the achievements of our organisation, as well as looking ahead to the opportunities we have to shape the future. 75 years on, the NHS’s founding principles remain intact. The public still support having a national health service, with 94% of people agreeing that healthcare should be free of charge, 84% that care should be available to everyone, and 62% that the NHS made them most proud to be British.

When it was founded in 1948, the NHS was the first universal health system to be available to all, free at the point of delivery. Those principles remain as relevant, and valued, today as they did in the years after the Second World War.

And since then, the NHS has innovated and adapted to meet the needs of each successive generation, always putting patients at the heart of everything it does.

Between 1948 to 1973, the number of doctors doubled, whilst anaesthetics advanced to enable longer and more complex surgery. Large-scale vaccination programmes protected children from whooping cough, measles and tuberculosis. We delivered huge medical advances, including the world’s first liver, heart and lung transplant, to pioneering new treatments, such as bionic eyes to restore sight.

Please note that sharp boxes are no longer accepted for disposals by GP’s, pharmacist or hospitals. 

• Free sharps box collection service Hillingdon Council are providing a free sharps box collection service available to all Hillingdon residents. This collection will be for non-cyto sharps and will include needles, syringes, lancets and needle clippers.  

• To book a monthly or one-off collection of full sharps box(es), residents can call on 01895 556000. Hillingdon Council have published patient leaflets and posters detailing the service.  

• Telephone: 01895 279343
• Email: thh.adulthearing@nhs.net
• Clinic hours: Monday - Friday, 9am-12.30pm and 1.30-5pm (excluding Bank Holidays)

HILLINGDON HOSPITAL ADULT HEARING AID CENTRE

GETTING TO THE HEARING AID AND HEARING THERAPY CENTRE

MOUNT VERNON HOSPITAL ADULT HEARING AID CENTRE

HEARING AID REPAIRS

LOST HEARING AIDS

REPLACEMENT BATTERIES

• Hearing Aid Centre, Hillingdon Hospital
• Pharmacy, Lower Ground Floor, Hillingdon Hospital
• Reception Desk at the Mount Vernon Hospital Treatment Centre
• Charville Library, Bury Avenue, Hayes
• Main Reception Desk, Civic Centre, High Street, Uxbridge
• Eastcote Health Centre, Abbotsbury Gardens, Pinner
• Harefield Health Centre, Rickmansworth Road, Harefield
• Harlington Library, Pinkwell Lane, Hayes
• Ickenham Libary Community Close, Long Lane, Ickenham
• Manor Farm Library, Bury Street, Hayes
• Northwood Health Centre, Neal Close, Acre Way, Northwood Hills
• Northwood Hills Library, Potter Street, Northwood
• Oak Farm Library, Long Lane, Hillingdon
• One Stop Shop, Botwell Green Leisure Centre, East Avenue, Hayes
• South Ruislip Library, Victoria Road, Ruislip
• The Mobile Library
• Uxbridge Library, High Street, Uxbridge
• West Drayton Library, Station Road, West Drayton
• Yeading Library, Yeading Lane, Hayes
• Yiewsley Library, High Street, Yiewsley

OUR HEARING AIDS

WHAT TO EXPECT AT YOUR APPOINTMENT

ASSESSMENT (REFERRAL FROM GP): 45 MINUTES

• THH Hearing Assessment Referral From GP [PDF] 469KB
• MVH Hearing Assessment Referral From GP [PDF] 447KB

ASSESSMENT (REFERRAL FROM EAR, NOSE AND THROAT DOCTOR): 30 MINUTES

• THH Hearing Assessment Referral From ENT [PDF] 469KB
• MVH Hearing Assessment Referral From ENT [PDF] 540KB

HEARING AID FITTING: 45 MINUTES

HEARING AID FOLLOW-UP: 15 MINUTES

REASSESSMENT: 45 MINUTES

HEARING AID REPAIR CLINIC: 15 MINUTES