Ridgacre Medical Centres

16/11/2025

Don't forget!

This week is the Self Care Fair!
Details on photo below - see you soon!

13/11/2025

Please see below update regarding our local hospitals 👇

Strike action by resident doctors will take place from 7am on Friday 14 November until 7am on Wednesday 19 November.

Our colleagues will prioritise life-saving care and waits may be longer.

Please choose the right service for your medical need, to help ensure care is available to those who need it most.

More information can be found via the link in the comments below. 👇

13/11/2025

Today, BBC Midlands Today have featured our colleagues talking about the significant rise in viral respiratory infections that's already impacting services across the region. 📺

With flu, COVID 19, RSV and other seasonal bugs showing up earlier, our teams are working around the clock to protect patients and keep our hospitals running. 🦠

Here’s how YOU can help your local hospital:
✅Think before you head to A&E — if you have flu like symptoms, contact your pharmacist or NHS 111 instead of automatically coming in.
✅If you’re eligible for a flu or COVID 19 vaccine — please get it. It not only protects you but eases pressure on the NHS.
✅ Practice good hygiene: cover your coughs and sneezes, wash your hands regularly, and stay home if you’re unwell.

Find out more via the link in the comments section below.

BBC Birmingham

12/11/2025

📲 NEW PHONE SYSTEM UPDATE📲

Our new phone system is now up and running so you may notice some changes!
The phone number is staying the same, 0121 422 3111

However you now have options to choose from to speak to the most appropriate team for your query.

1. Appointments - this line is to speak to Reception, so anything to do with appointment making/cancelling/rearranging or if Reception have sent you a message asking you to contact them.

2. Prescriptions - this line is to speak to our prescription clerks with any queries, requests or for if they have asked you to contact them.

3. Secretaries - this line is to speak to the medical secretaries, it will ask you which site you are registered at. This is to enquire about referrals and find out contact details for the hospital you have been referred to.

4. Test results - please allow at least 24-48 hours to call for blood results. If you have had a scan/tests at the hospital they can take longer to come back to us, please check at your scan/test appointment how long the results usually take to come back.

23/10/2025

Winter is Coming!
Top Tips:
💊Stay on top of your medication requests and keep useful household medications stocked up.
👩‍⚕ Utilise services best for your needs. For common illnesses like colds, flus, uti's and more can often be treated by your pharmacist! Skip the GP waiting times and get seen and sorted sooner.
💉Get your jabs! Check your eligibility and get you and your family sorted and safe for the year. We are providing flu jabs via appointment (speak to Reception to book) however we are not giving Covid vaccinations.

21/10/2025

Calling all Ridgacre (Quinton) patients!

If you need help, advice or are just curious! Please come along to this great event organised by our fabulous care coordinators.

Please note this is not being held at the surgery, the address is on the photo below.

See you there!

16/10/2025

16/10/2025

Small changes can make a big difference 💙

People living with dementia may experience the world differently due to damage in the brain. This can lead to changes in perception, including:

Misperceptions – seeing one thing as something else (e.g. mistaking a shadow for a spider)
Misidentifications – confusing people or objects (e.g. thinking a son is their husband)
Hallucinations & Delusions – seeing or believing things that aren’t there
Time-shifting – mixing up past and present.

These experiences can be confusing or distressing for the person and those around them. But with understanding and support, you can help them feel safe and confident.

As explained by our @‌DementiaFriends team, something as simple as swapping a dark coloured mat – which could be mistaken for a hole in the ground – to a light coloured one could be helpful for a person living with dementia.

There are lots of little things you can do to support a person experiencing changes in perception, which might look like:

- Making sure glasses are worn and hearing aids are working (if used)

- Not moving furniture, or changing where things are kept

- Not drawing attention to their mistakes

- Improving lighting levels and reducing visual clutter

- Asking friends and relatives to introduce themselves when they arrive

- Describing the food and drink and where it is on the table

16/10/2025

10/10/2025

Today is World Mental Health Day!
Anyone can experience difficulties with their mental health and it is not something anyone should feel ashamed of.

You don’t have to be in a crisis to seek help, anything you are concerned about with your mental health or what may be affecting it is completely valid. Noticing the signs early means you could get help a lot sooner.

GPs are here to support on a day to day basis and we can refer to specialist services who are well trained in supporting you exactly as you need to be. There are also multiple external services that are open 24/7 such as Samaritans. They are available anytime, just call 116 123.

10/10/2025

We’re here day or night, 365 days a year.

📱Call us for free on 116 123.

10/10/2025

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month💙

It is vital to regularly check your breasts for any changes that may be a symptom of breast cancer.

Always see your GP if you notice any changes🏥