Highparks Medical Practice

12/12/2025

📢 EMIS IT Outage Update
We’re currently experiencing an EMIS IT outage which is a national issue, we’re sorry for any inconvenience this may cause. If we needed to cancel your appointment this morning, we will contact you to rebook.
If you do not hear from us, please attend your appointment as normal.

Thank you for your patience 💙

10/12/2025

📢 Important Update for Our Patients

Important messages from our practice will now be sent via the NHS App by default. This is a secure way to receive messages, which you can read only when you log into the app.

How it works:

If you have the NHS App installed and notifications turned on, messages like appointment reminders or urgent updates will appear directly in the app.

If a message isn’t read within 4 hours, it will automatically be sent by SMS to make sure you don’t miss anything.

Need the NHS App?
Download it here: https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-app/

For more information on NHS App messaging and its benefits, visit: NHS App Messaging

Download the NHS App, or open the NHS website in a web browser, to set up and log in to your NHS account. Owned and run by the NHS, your NHS account is a simple and secure way to access a range of NHS services online.

27/11/2025

Unfortunately, there was a delay in the scheduled announcement at the request of the ICB. This has caused some corruption of the file sent to patients. Patients should receive the correct version shortly.

The update is as follows:

27/11/2025

Subject: Higham Branch Site – Update Following ICB Decision

Dear Patients,

We would like to update you on the outcome of our application regarding the future of the Higham branch site and to thank you all for the feedback we received throughout the process.

NHS Kent and Medway Integrated Care Board (ICB) has completed a review of our application and confirmed the Higham branch site can close, providing the measures outlined below are in place.
We know this outcome will be disappointing for many people in the village, and we want to acknowledge the strength of feeling shared during the engagement period. The proposal was not an easy decision for us to make but means we can continue to provide services in the future.
We are extremely grateful to everyone who took the time to speak with us, attend sessions, or complete the survey.

Please be assured that our focus is now on supporting all patients, particularly those in Higham, through this transition.

We remain committed to providing safe, high-quality, and accessible care, and the enhanced measures we have already outlined will continue to be developed. These include:
• Continuity of Care: All patients registered at Higham will continue to receive care at our remaining three sites, including the main site in Cliffe Woods.
• Home Visits: We will continue to provide home visits to all registered patients who are housebound, in line with GMS contract requirements.
• Service Delivery: We will be trying to support patients from Higham by reducing the number of trips they need to make, for example by booking multiple services into a single visit where possible.
• Repeat Prescriptions: We will provide clear guidance on all available ways to order repeat prescriptions, making it easier for you to access your medications.

Pharmacy services in Higham remain unchanged as the pharmacy is a separate independent business, however, we will continue to work closely with the pharmacy to make sure that prescriptions are managed in a timely manner.

Thank you again to everyone who contributed their views. Your feedback has been vital in shaping the support we are putting in place, and we remain committed to working closely with the community throughout this transition.

We understand that change can cause uncertainty, and we are committed to keeping you informed at every stage. Over the coming weeks, we will share clear information about timelines and next steps.
We are working towards closing the branch in spring 2026 but we will keep you updated. We will continue to listen and respond to concerns as the process moves forward.
Highparks Medical Practice

05/11/2025

The Healthy Choices Quiz provides an easy first step for those who want to feel healthier but may not know where to start. The quiz asks a series of lifestyle questions across six main themes: movement, eating, alcohol consumption, smoking and va**ng, mental health and sleep.

Take the free NHS Healthy Choices Quiz today: https://www.nhs.uk/hcquiz

22/10/2025

Details on how to join our Patient Partnership group can be found on our website: https://highparksmedicalpractice.nhs.uk/patient-group/ or you can scan the QR code or speak to a member of staff at the practice.

21/10/2025

From wobbly steps, to first words, to the first day at school, Best Start in Life is here to help families at every stage. Explore resources and support at Best Start In Life.

www.beststartinlife.gov.uk

02/10/2025

⚠️ eConsult Service Update ⚠️

We’ve been made aware that eConsult is currently down across Kent and Medway. This is a wider system issue and not just affecting our practice.

We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and thank you for your patience while the problem is being resolved.

If you need urgent medical help, please contact the practice by phone, or dial 111 outside of normal hours.

02/10/2025

Winter Vaccines Update ❄️💉

The NHS has changed who is eligible for the COVID vaccine this winter. This means not everyone who had it last year will be invited this time.

When you come in for your flu and/or COVID jab, our team will be following the new national rules. Please be kind to our staff if you’re told you’re not eligible – it’s not our decision, but we’re here to help guide you.

✅ You can check the latest eligibility on the NHS website before attending.

12/08/2025

From September 2025 and in addition to the support already available, eligible working parents will be able to access 30 hours of childcare per week, over 38 weeks of the year, starting from the term after their child turns 9 months old. This is all part of the government’s Plan for Change to give every child the best start in life by making high-quality early years education and childcare more affordable and accessible for families.

We'd recommend encouraging all parents to find out what they might be eligible for and apply ahead of the 31st August deadline (to start using their hours from 1st September) by visiting:

Information targeted at Parents

31/07/2025

25/07/2025

Unfortunately our phone provider has confirmed there are issues with the call back function which is being looked into. If you need to contact us today, please remain in the queue and do not request a call back.

Apologies for the inconvenience and thank you for your understanding.

24/07/2025

We are currently experiencing issues with our phone system, specifically with making outbound calls. Our phone provider has confirmed that this appears to be a wider issue affecting multiple customers and they are currently looking into this.

Inbound calls are still working, so patients are able to call the practice as usual through to reception.

However, if you have requested a call back, please be aware that it may not take place, as it requires an outbound call. We kindly ask that you do not request a call back today, as there is a possibility you may not receive one.

If you have a scheduled phone appointment with a clinician this afternoon, please be assured that should still go ahead. The call may appear as ‘No Caller ID’, so please be prepared to answer.

We apologise for any inconvenience and appreciate your understanding.