I would like to announce my imminent retirement at the end of March 2024, and I thought I would give a little history of my time in the practice. I first joined Maple View Practice as a partner in October 1996 when it was known as Dr Cochrane, Chandler and Wong, Church Hill Medical Centre, replacing Dr Wong when she left the partnership. Since then, it has been my privilege to serve Church Hill and the wider Redditch community as a GP principal. In 2012 our neighbouring practice run by Drs Hakeem and Ahmed was closed and we welcomed their patients to us, changing our name to Maple View Medical Practice. One of my greatest achievements was persuading Worcestershire PCT to support my attempts to build a new Medical Centre for Church Hill to replace the outdated premises that we shared with the neighbouring practice. After 9 years of stiff negotiations and setbacks, we finally moved onto the new purpose-built building in 2013. Then in 2014, we merged with St Stephen’s Surgery in the town centre and became St Stephen’s Medical Partnership operating out of both sites. As I approach my retirement at the end of March 2024, I reflect on my time here and its ups and downs and I realise I have been fortunate to work with an outstanding team across both sites. It is a wonderful thing to be able to say I have looked after 3 and in some cases, 4 generations of families and watched babies grow into adults and have families of their own. This practice and its patients have provided me with a rewarding and fulfilling 27 years and I will miss you all. Dr Umer, one of our salaried Doctors at Maple View will take over from me as Partner and I wish the partnership all the very best for the future.

OUR VISION

We aim to continually adapt to the evolving pace of the NHS and patient needs and deliver exceptional holistic healthcare to the culturally diverse community of Redditch. Healthcare that is high-quality, equitable, responsive, accessible, integrated, open, transparent, and inclusive, in a patient-centred, caring environment, whilst maintaining excellence in educational and clinical training of the next generation of doctors.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

• To provide a high quality, ethically sound, patient-centred, service that puts patient safety, care, and wellbeing at the heart of all we do.
• To ensure that patients are treated with dignity and respect and be responsive to their needs.
• To deliver a holistic approach toward diagnosis, health, wellbeing and disease management to all patients without discrimination.
• To express compassion and empathy to our patients and each other.
• To reflect on clinical practice to implement innovation at every level by nurturing an inclusive, open, adaptable culture.
• To act with integrity and be accountable for our actions by operating within an ethical framework through openness and transparency.
• To use a team approach to providing health care and involve the patient as part of our team.
• To value the diversity of our patients and staff and provide equal access.
• To invest in our clinical and non-clinical staff, diversifying and developing skills and knowledge base to provide sound, informed, professional development, resilience and adaptability.
• To actively contribute to training of the next generation of doctors.
• To foster good relationships with other healthcare providers, neighbourhood teams and our fellow PCN practices to strengthen community links, and respond to local, regional and national initiatives.
• To work in a multi-disciplinary team of doctors, pharmacists, nurses, physician associates, HCAs, and involved the wider community of the PCN frailty team and local service providers for the benefit of the practice population.
• To use technology smartly to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of our administration, patient contact, accessibility and clinical activity.
• To work jointly with our Patient Participation Group to communicate, change, receive constructive feedback and to encourage their input into service development.
• To operate on a financially sound basis. Having a lower environmental impact with reduced waste.
• To maintain strict confidentiality and ensure that all staff are aware of their responsibilities in confidentiality and consent.

OUR VALUES

• Quality and safety
• Integrity
• Sustainability
• Equality and diversity
• Holistic, patient-centred
• Accessibility
• Dignity and respect
• Compassionate
• Responsive
• Collaborative
• Inclusive

Wellbeing walks

Held twice a month, one in Herefordshire and the other in Worcestershire. These are held in different locations each month, including some National Trust sites where we have kindly be given free access for those who attend our walks.

Social groups – we are currently in the process of setting up social groups in Worcester, a LGBTQ+ autism group twice a month held at The Hive starting in November and a social group for crafts and discussions to be held at the Quaker House. These groups will be mirrored in Herefordshire in the coming months.

1 to 1 support

A series of 4 person-centred sessions with one of our autism advisors. These sessions are designed to provide information and support in areas you may be experiencing difficulties such as communication, sensory awareness, anxiety, and wellbeing Autism Confident - This is a free 8-week programme which aims to help you understand more about autism, help to improve your confidence, and provide you with an opportunity to meet other autistic people. It also offers opportunities to develop your social skills in a supported group setting. Please fill out the below form to access your 1 to 1 sessions.

HW 1 to 1 Referral form July 2023.docx

6 weeks, 12 sessions FREE Education and Exercise programme – see more here…. ESCAPE-pain for BACKS - redditchbc.gov.uk

You can register your interest on the webpage, the programme is starting in January 2024ou can register your interest on the webpage, the programme is starting in January 2024!

From 1 September 2023, the shingles vaccination is being offered to:

For more information on eligibility for Shingles Vaccine please follow the link below...

Shingles vaccine - NHS (www.nhs.uk)

A gentle movement and relaxation class for people living with fibromyalgia.

NEW FREE - from September 2023

Starting in September 2023 at Bromsgrove Sport and Leisure Centre we will be holding an Education and Exercise programme specifically designed for people living with Fibromyalgia.

Developed alongside fibromyalgia patients, this 12 week programme will include elements of education, relaxation techniques, and gentle movement to assist in the management of fibromyalgia.
Each session is designed to be responsive to clients abilities, as these will vary between people and from day-to-day.

To register your interest follow this link... Finding Freedom with Fibromyalgia - bromsgrove.gov.uk

Acute Respiratory Infection Hubs (2).pdf

Ovarian cancer, 1st to 31st March

March is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. Do you know whether you’re at risk of ovarian cancer? There are a number of risk factors including age and lifestyle.
https://ovarian.org.uk/ovarian-cancer/am-i-at-risk/

Over 90% of women don’t know the main symptoms of ovarian cancer; are you one of them? The main symptoms include bloating, stomach pain, struggling to eat and weeing more. Find out more at the Ovarian Cancer Action website:
https://ovarian.org.uk/ovarian-cancer/ovarian-cancer-symptoms/

Prostate cancer, 1st to 31st March

One in eight men will get prostate cancer. If you’re a trans-woman or non-binary, your risk may be different. You can check your risk on the Prostate Cancer UK website: https://prostatecanceruk.org/risk-checker

Most men with early prostate cancer won’t notice any signs or symptoms. If you notice any of the following:

• difficulty starting to urinate or emptying your bladder
• a weak flow when you urinate
• a feeling that your bladder hasn’t emptied properly
• dribbling urine after you finish urinating
• needing to urinate more often than usual, especially at night
• a sudden need to urinate – you may sometimes leak urine before you get to the toilet...

you should make an appointment to speak to a member of your GP practice team.

Endometriosis awareness, 1st to 31st to March

Endometriosis affects one in ten women and those assigned female at birth. Endometriosis Action Month 2024 aims to raise awareness of the impact of endometriosis.
https://www.endometriosis-uk.org/endometriosis-action-month-2024

Endometriosis is a condition where cells similar to those in the lining of the womb develop elsewhere in the body. These cells react in the same way as those inside the womb, building up and then breaking down. Unlike the cells in the womb, the blood has nowhere to go and this can cause inflammation, pain and scar tissue.
https://www.endometriosis-uk.org/what-endometriosis

Healthy eating

It’s important to try and eat a healthy diet, including a variety of fresh fruit and vegetables, along with starchy carbohydrates like potatoes, rice and pasta, and lean protein.
https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/eat-well/how-to-eat-a-balanced-diet/eight-tips-for-healthy-eating/

The Eatwell Guide gives clear guidelines and images to show you what we should aim for in terms of balancing our food intake across a week.
https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/eat-well/food-guidelines-and-food-labels/the-eatwell-guide/

It can be difficult to work out how much we should be eating as a portion. The British Dietetic Association has an easy guide to portion sizes. You don’t even need to have your scales to hand!
https://www.bda.uk.com/resource/food-facts-portion-sizes.html

Child abuse and safeguarding

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. When we say ‘safeguarding’, what do we mean? It means thinking about the safety of children, and taking steps to make sure they’re safe from harm. You can find out more about the signs of child abuse here, so that you can help to protect children from harm:
https://www.nspcc.org.uk/what-is-child-abuse/spotting-signs-child-abuse/

Importance of attending review appointments

If you’re invited to have a review for your long-term condition, it’s important to attend. During your review appointment, we’ll check how you’re managing, and you’ll get the opportunity to discuss any concerns or new treatment options available. [Insert link to your own LTC page OR create your own image – why not try Canva?]

Prescribing reviews

To make sure you’re on the best medicine for your needs, we undertake regular medication reviews. After a medication review, we may suggest changes to your medication to keep up with the latest guidance or advice. [Insert link to your own prescribing review page OR create your own image – why not try Canva?]

1st to 3rd March

Zero Discrimination Day, 1st March

The theme of this year’s Zero Discrimination Day is “Protect everyone’s health, protect everyone’s rights”. The NHS provides a comprehensive service, available to all, and we respect the needs of every individual.
https://www.unaids.org/en/zero-discrimination-day

Overseas NHS Workers Day, 1st March

Around 19% of workers in the NHS come from overseas. We’re incredibly pleased that our colleagues and friends have chosen to make the UK their home and to provide care to our patients.
https://www.kingsfund.org.uk/insight-and-analysis/data-and-charts/nhs-international-recruitment

World Birth Defects Day, 3rd March

The theme for this year’s World Birth Defects Day is “Every Journey Matters”. Over 8 million people are born each year with a birth defect. It’s important to address birth defect inequities and help individuals to thrive.
https://www.worldbirthdefectsday.org/every-journey-matters-2024/

World Hearing Day, 3rd March

Living with damaged hearing is challenging. Whether it’s profound deafness or someone is subject to hearing loss or tinnitus, the impact on the individual’s life is enormous.
https://worldhearingday.org/

By 2050, it’s estimated that one in four people will have hearing problems or hearing loss. A relatively small change to funding could make a world of difference. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/deafness-and-hearing-loss

National Day of Reflection, 3rd March

Marie Curie have organised a National Day of Reflection to commemorate the losses felt by the nation through the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s a day to remember those we have lost.
https://dayofreflection.org.uk/

4th to 10th March

No More Week, 3rd to 9th March

No More Week aims to support communities to create a culture of safety, respect and equality with a view to ending domestic abuse and sexual violence.
https://nomore.org/ourwork/campaigns/no-more-week/

World Obesity Day, 4th March

Worldwide, it’s estimated that one in four of us will be living with obesity by 2035. That’s just over ten years from now.
https://www.worldobesityday.org/

One in seven people worldwide are currently living with obesity. In just ten years, it’s expected to be one in four.
https://www.worldobesityday.org/people-living-with-obesity

The BMI for being overweight and obese varies by ethnic background as the health impacts of excess weight vary.
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/obesity/

At 5ft 4” (165 cm) and 12 stone (75 kg), you’ll move from overweight to obese, and for someone measuring 6ft (183 cm) and weighing 16 stone (101 kg), this will put you into the obese category. You’d need to be under 10 stone or 13 stone respectively to be considered a healthy weight at each of these heights.
https://www.healthyweightgrampian.s...oolkit-materials/getting-started-2/bmi-chart/

International Women’s Day, 8th March

The theme for this year’s International Women’s Day is “Inspire Inclusion” – imagining a world free of gender bias, and filled with diversity, equity and inclusivity.
https://www.internationalwomensday.com/

11th to 17th March

Healthcare Science Week, 11th to 15th March

This week is Healthcare Science Week which aims to highlight the importance of science in the world of healthcare.
https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/ca...rs/teaching-resources/healthcare-science-week

Brain Awareness Week, 11th to 17th March

DANA organise Brain Awareness Week to highlight the importance of brain science in our lives. The study of the brain has brought advances in medical science and continued research will bring new and deeper understanding.
https://dana.org/brain-awareness-week/

Nutrition and Hydration Week, 11th to 18th March

Good nutrition and hydration are essential for the body. Nutrition and Hydration Week aims to ensure that we raise the profile of this in Health and Social Care.
https://nutritionandhydrationweek.co.uk/

Swallow awareness, 13th March

The ability to swallow is important to protect your airway. If you or someone you care for has difficulty swallowing, there are a number of causes, and a number of things that may help symptoms.
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/swallowing-problems-dysphagia/

Young Carers Action Day, 13th March

Young carers face challenges as a result of the caring role they undertake. It’s important to make sure we’re dedicating time and energy to ensuring they get the best possible opportunities.
https://carers.org/young-carers-action-day/young-carers-action-day

No Smoking Day, 13th March

It’s No Smoking Day and there’s never been a better time to quit than now! Eight hours after quitting, the harmful carbon monoxide in your blood will have halved and your oxygen levels will be recovering.
https://www.nhs.uk/better-health/quit-smoking/

In just a few easy steps, you can get a FREE personal plan to help you quit smoking:
https://www.nhs.uk/better-health/quit-smoking/personal-quit-plan/

If you’ve smoked ten cigarettes a day for the last 20 years, you’ll have spent the equivalent of almost £50,000 pounds. If you smoke a different number of cigarettes, you can check what your spending is here:
https://www.nhsinform.scot/stopping-smoking/calculate-my-savings/

World Kidney Day, 14th March

Around 1.2 million people in the UK have kidney disease and don’t know it. One in ten million people in the world have kidney disease.
https://www.worldkidneyday.co.uk/

Kidneys remove waste products and toxins from the body, they help regulate blood pressure and help your body to use vitamin D. They’re essential for a healthy body.
https://www.worldkidneyday.co.uk/are-you-kidney-aware/

Signs of kidney disease are tiredness, swollen feet, ankles or hands, shortness of breath, feeling sick and blood in your urine.
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/kidney-disease/

High blood pressure and diabetes are the main causes of kidney failure. Your age and ethnicity may also contribute to your risk.
https://kidneyfailurerisk.co.uk/

Social Prescribing Day, 14th March

Social prescribing helps to manage the many things that are non-medical that affect our health. Things like debt, loneliness and stress can have a long-term effect on us, but social prescribing can help you get back on track.
https://socialprescribingacademy.org.uk/what-is-social-prescribing/

International School Meals Day, 14th March

International School Meals Day focuses on healthy and sustainable school meals across the world. All children should have access to good nutrition regardless of their circumstances.
https://internationalschoolmealsday.com/

World Sleep Day, 15th March

Access to good sleep is critical for our bodies and our mental health. World Sleep Day helps to promote the importance of good sleep.
https://worldsleepday.org/

Problems sleeping can lead to long-term health consequences. Good sleep hygiene, such as avoiding screen time before bed, regular bedtimes and getting up at the same time every day, can help.
https://www.nhs.uk/every-mind-matters/mental-health-issues/sleep/

18th to 24th March

World Oral Health Day, 20th March

World Oral Health Day brings our attention to the importance of oral health for our overall health. Good oral health helps with eating, breathing, swallowing and disease prevention.
https://www.who.int/health-topics/oral-health#tab=tab_1

International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, 21st March

The international community agreed on a set of common values and acknowledged that rights are inherent to every single human being and not granted by the State. These rights are enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, a blueprint for international human rights norms.

The UDHR states that everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms, without distinction of any kind, such as race and colour, among others. However, racism and racial discrimination continue to affect people all over the world.
https://www.un.org/en/observances/end-racism-day

World Water Day, 22nd March

“Water for peace” is the theme of World Water Day in 2024. Access to clean, safe water is essential for life. 2.2 billion people still live without safely managed water. https://www.un.org/en/observances/water-day

25th to 31st March

World TB Day, 24th March

Tuberculosis (TB) usually affects the lungs but can spread to other parts of the body. If you’ve had a cough that’s lasted over three weeks, or a continuing high temperature or night sweats, you might want to check the information on the NHS website:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/tuberculosis-tb/

Epilepsy awareness, 26th March

Let’s turn the world purple to raise awareness of epilepsy. Epilepsy is a condition of the brain which means you have repeated seizures. Many people will have one seizure but that does not necessarily mean they have epilepsy. https://www.epilepsy.org.uk/info/what-is-epilepsy

International Trans Day of Visibility, 31st March

International Trans Day of Visibility is an opportunity to support and celebrate our trans or non-binary family, friends and colleagues, who choose to be visible. https://www.stonewall.org.uk/our-work/campaigns/trans-hub

St Stephens surgery and Maple View Medical Practice

Military Veteran Information Leaflet

When you left HM Forces, you may have been given a medical release form F Med 133. If you wish your new GP to have access to your service medical records, you need to complete the form and send it to the appropriate address at the top of form, F Med 133. If you were not given the form, you can send a signed dated letter (not email) through the post to the respective address below stating your consent to the release of your service medical history to Natalie Gilliland, St Stephens  Surgery, Adelaide Street, Redditch, B97 4AL. You will need to include details such as: • Service number, Rank/rating, Surname and Forename(s), Date of birth • National Insurance number • Residential address on leaving the service

Royal Navy/Marines MDG(N)Medical Records, Institute of Naval Medicine, Alverstoke, Hampshire PO12 2AA Army Army Personnel Centre, Secretariat Disclosure 3 (Medical), MP 525 Kentigern House, Brown Street, Glasgow G2 8EX Royal Air Force PMA Medical (RAF), Room 040, Building 248, RAF Innsworth, Gloucs, GL3 1EZ

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