Patients in Haverhill invited to have their say at engagement evening

Local residents are invited to attend an information and engagement event at Christmas Maltings and Clements Practice in Haverhill.

Suffolk GP Federation has been in charge of the surgery since July and since then we have introduced a number of changes – including a new way to book appointments.

We are now inviting patients to an information and engagement evening at 7pm on Monday, October 30th at the Clements building in Greenfields Way.

Members of the public will be able to learn more about the changes that we have planned over the coming months, ask questions and share their views.

They will also be able to fill in a patient questionnaire – the answers to which will be used to help us make decisions about the future of Christmas Maltings and Clements and its sister practice in Kedington.

For those unable to attend the engagement evening questionnaires are available in reception areas. These should be filled in and placed in the boxes provided by Friday, November 3. They can also be found on the Christmas Maltings and Clements Practice website or by clicking here.

Jules Styles, Suffolk GP Federation’s Director of Primary Care Services, said: “We want patients to be involved in the future of the surgery and we’d like to hear their views. The engagement event is a chance for them to ask questions and to learn more about what we have planned in the coming months.

“The changes we have already made include a new booking system, which appears to be working well – although we are aware that some patients have had to wait a long time when phoning the surgery. We are working hard to change that and are in the process of recruiting new receptionists to help at busy times.

“We’ll take all feedback on board and use the information to help shape our decision making moving forward.

“In particular we’d like patients’ comments around the future of Christmas Maltings. Negotiations with the building’s current owners are ongoing and we would like to know what patients think regarding any potential move. We are also exploring the possibility of running joint services with Haverhill Family Practice.”

Among the changes already introduced at Christmas Maltings and Clements is the recruitment of a physiotherapist who is now available to treat patients on weekday mornings. A prescribing pharmacist has also started to help with repeat prescriptions and medication requests previously dealt with by a GP.

Patients can now also book an appointment to see a clinician at the Clements surgery between 9am and 5pm on a Saturday. The appointments are offered as part of our GP+ service which operates in East Suffolk and Bury St Edmunds.

Patients are also invited to join the Christmas Maltings and Clements Patient Participation Group. Please email Linda.West7@nhs.net for more details.

People who would like more information or who have any questions about the changes at Christmas Maltings and Clements can also contact info@suffolkfed.org.uk. Alternatively, they can keep up to date via the Christmas Maltings and Clements Practice website or Facebook page.