16th August 2024
Dear Patients
You may have seen in the news that GPs across the country have recently voted in favour of taking collective action to improve the future of general practice. It is getting harder and harder to provide patients with the care they need without the funding that is needed for our workforce.
Frome Valley Medical Centre are supportive of this action and will keep you updated with any changes. The aim is to secure funding, not to compromise patient safety, so we want to reassure patients that we will remain open. However, during this time it may mean GPs may reduce the amount of work they carry out or suspend certain duties.
Due to high levels of demand, we are having to prioritise urgent and essential work and this is likely to continue until we receive funding to recruit staff.
Unless you are contacted by us, you should still attend any planned GP appointments.
For regional information on the scale of action taking place please visit the Integrated Care Board’s (ICB) website for regular updates.
As always, our priority is making sure you have timely access to the right services depending on your health and care needs. This may be through another service like 111 or the pharmacy. There are a wide range of local services available to you depending on your needs. You can find out more about local services on the ICB’s ‘which services should I use’ web page.
Thank you for your understanding.
Dr Helen Pidduck
Managing Partner at Frome Valley Medical Centre
