Welshpool Medical Practice

14/11/2025

‼️📣 𝗨𝗥𝗚𝗘𝗡𝗧 𝗺𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀. 𝗣𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 📣‼️

14/11/2025

𝗜𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗼𝗿 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗮 𝘄𝗮𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁, 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗺𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝘄𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘄𝗮𝗶𝘁.

The Powys Teaching Health Board Waiting Well Service (WWS) is a small, dedicated team of staff who focus on supporting you or someone you know whilst waiting for appointments or treatments. We also want to help you optimise your health and wellbeing whilst waiting for your treatment.

Preparing for treatment effectively and learning how to manage your symptoms can have a significant difference to your treatment outcome and recovery.

If you are a patient on a waiting list for treatment, or know someone who needs support whilst they wait, the WWS can help. The team offers:

A single point of contact to provide support and advice on managing your health, signposting to appropriate services.
An opportunity to ensure the information we hold for you is correct and up to date. It is very important that we have the correct information to contact you when we need to.
An opportunity to discuss what matters to you and signpost you to other health and social care services, including community and third sector-based services.
A review of your situation while you are on the waiting list, to see if there is any additional support that could help improve your quality of life and independence and support you to remain control over your condition whilst waiting.
Reassurance and advice on what you can do if your symptoms deteriorate.

You can contact the WWS directly by telephone or email. Our office is open Monday to Friday from 9.00am to 5.00pm (excludes bank holidays). Outside of these hours, please leave a message and a member of the team will call you back during office hours.

Telephone: 01597 457016

Email: WaitingWellPowys@wales.nhs.uk

𝗣𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗲𝗯𝗽𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻:
https://pthb.nhs.wales/services/waiting-well/

14/11/2025

📢 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗨𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗔𝘀𝘁𝗵𝗺𝗮 𝗣𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀

To ensure your safety and improve asthma management, 𝘄𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝗮𝗹𝗯𝘂𝘁𝗮𝗺𝗼𝗹 (𝗯𝗹𝘂𝗲) 𝗶𝗻𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝟯 𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿.

💙 Salbutamol inhalers are “reliever” medications, intended for occasional use during sudden asthma symptoms or attacks. Needing more than 3 a year may be a sign that your asthma is not well controlled, which can increase the risk of severe attacks and hospital admissions.

🩺 The Wales Asthma Report 2023 found that:
🔸𝗔𝗹𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗳 (𝟰𝟴%) 𝗼𝗳 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗵𝗺𝗮 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗽𝗼𝗼𝗿𝗹𝘆 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝘀𝘆𝗺𝗽𝘁𝗼𝗺𝘀
🔸𝟭 𝗶𝗻 𝟱 (𝟮𝟮%) 𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝘀𝗶𝘅 𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗯𝗹𝘂𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗮 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿
🔸𝗧𝘄𝗼-𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗿𝗱𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗵𝗺𝗮 𝗱𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲

Reliever inhalers only treat symptoms — they don’t address the underlying inflammation that causes asthma. Preventer treatments keep asthma under control long-term.

✅ For people whose asthma is not well controlled on inhaled corticosteroids alone, a combined inhaler (containing a preventer plus a fast-acting but long-lasting reliever) may be recommended. These inhalers can be used both for daily prevention and quick relief of symptoms and are considered a much safer option than relying on salbutamol alone.

🌍 Reducing over-reliance on blue inhalers helps keep people safe, lowers avoidable hospital visits, and is better for the environment.

🔎 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘄𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀
We invite every patient to the surgery for an annual asthma review, but not everyone attends. For those who have not attended an asthma review in the last 6 months, we will review their records. 𝗜𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 𝗶𝘀 𝗱𝘂𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝗳𝗲𝘄 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵𝘀, 𝘄𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝘄𝗮𝗶𝘁 𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀.

🔸 If salbutamol is being overused, we will reduce the number prescribed each year to 3.
🔸At the same time, we will ensure patients are on the most appropriate preventer inhaler. In many cases, this will be a combined preventer/reliever inhaler.
🔸𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘂𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗵𝗺𝗮, 𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗯𝗲 𝗮𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘄𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗯𝗲 𝗮𝘁 𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗸 𝗱𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗵𝗺𝗮 𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗼𝗿 𝗲𝘅𝗮𝗰𝗲𝗿𝗯𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.
🔸Any changes made will be clearly communicated — either at your annual asthma review, or via text message.
🔸If you are not subscribed to our text service, you will receive a letter by post.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
Dr Russell & Partners, Welshpool Medical Practice

13/11/2025

𝗪𝗲𝗹𝘀𝗵𝗽𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝗦𝘂𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗿𝘆 & 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗹𝘀𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗹𝗱 𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗵 𝗦𝘂𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗺𝗮𝘀 & 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗕𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝗛𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 🎅🏼🎄

We will be closed all day on the following dates:

🔸𝙏𝙝𝙪𝙧𝙨𝙙𝙖𝙮 25𝙩𝙝 𝘿𝙚𝙘𝙚𝙢𝙗𝙚𝙧 (𝘾𝙝𝙧𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙢𝙖𝙨 𝘿𝙖𝙮)
🔸𝙁𝙧𝙞𝙙𝙖𝙮 26𝙩𝙝 𝘿𝙚𝙘𝙚𝙢𝙗𝙚𝙧 (𝘽𝙤𝙭𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝘿𝙖𝙮)
🔸𝙏𝙝𝙪𝙧𝙨𝙙𝙖𝙮 1𝙨𝙩 𝙅𝙖𝙣𝙪𝙖𝙧𝙮 (𝙉𝙚𝙬 𝙔𝙚𝙖𝙧’𝙨 𝘿𝙖𝙮)

❗️for urgent care on these dates please call 𝟏𝟏𝟏 or 𝟎𝟏𝟕𝟒𝟑 𝟒𝟓𝟓 𝟑𝟔𝟒 ❗️

𝗣𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗲𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗲𝗻𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗺𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗱. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗺𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝘀:
⭐️𝗧𝘂𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝟭𝟲𝘁𝗵 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱

Merry Christmas to all our patients from Welshpool Medical Centre ☺️

13/11/2025

✅ THE ISSUE IS NOW RESOLVED 13.11.25 ✅

Dear Patients,

Unfortunately we are experiencing computer issues, which seems to be a national problem.

The telephone remains in operations but we have no clinical computer system to work with.

We hope to have a national solution as soon as possible. ‼️‼️

Drs Russell, Aslam, Vibhishanan, Kelly, Kingham and Hirons

07/11/2025

⭐️Welshpool Medical Centre Activity Data October 2025⭐️
🟢Please see the below infographic which shows a snapshot of the work going on at our Practice throughout October.
🟣We really hope that you find this information helpful and gives insight on how demand is continually increasing in General Practice.
🟠Thank you for your continued support.

07/11/2025

‼️REMINDER - PLT‼️
Tuesday 11th November 2025 from 12 Noon.

❌ Protected Learning Time - Tuesday 11th November from 12 noon ❌

03/11/2025

Stay Protected This Winter – Flu Jabs for Over 65s

As the colder months approach, protecting yourself against flu is more important than ever. If you are over 65, please consider booking your flu vaccination. We still have some stock available

The jab is the best way to reduce your risk of serious illness and help protect those around you.

💉 Convenient appointments available – book online, by phone, or drop and we will arrange a mutually convenient date and time for you
✅ Safe and effective – recommended every year for older adults.
💙 Peace of mind – keep yourself healthy and enjoy the winter season.

Drs Russell, Aslam, Vibhishanan, Kelly, Kingham and Hirons

November 2025

23/10/2025

Are you ready to quit smoking? 🚭
Book into one of our specialised clinics by calling the Practice on 01938 553118 or request via our website ☎️ 📧

23/10/2025

⭐️FLUENZ NASAL SPRAY - 2 and 3 years olds ⭐️
Appointments available to nook now

Please call the surgery to arrange an appointment. 01938553118

23/10/2025

⭐️Drs Russell, Aslam, Vibhishanan, Kelly, Kingham and Hirons, Welshpool Medical Practice are HIRING⭐️

🌈We have an exciting opportunity for a caring, organised, and enthusiastic individual to join our friendly practice team as a Care Navigator for a 12-month maternity cover position.

❕This is a fantastic chance to gain experience within a NHS GP setting and make a real difference to our patients’ experience.

⭐️Experience of working in this environment is not essential, as we will offer on the job coaching and training for the right person who will fit in with the existing, amazing team.

Key responsibilities to include:-
🔸Welcoming patients whether it is over the phone or face to face in a friendly, professional manner
🔸Navigate patients to the most appropriate service and clinician
🔸Signposting patients to external support e.g. NHS 111 press 2, community pharmacies etc (with training)
🔸Assisting with administrative duties including patient registrations, scanning of documents, patient deductions
🔸Always maintaining strict patient confidentiality and good practice information governance

We are looking for someone who:-
🔸Has excellent communication and people skills
🔸Enjoys working as part of a supportive team
🔸Is confident using IT and learning new systems
🔸Can stay calm and professional in a busy environment

We will in return offer:
🔸12-month fixed term maternity cover employment contract
🔸36 hours of work, over a four-day week. Starting at 8 am and finishing at 6 pm
🔸Competitive salary based on knowledge, skill, and experience
🔸No weekend and evening work
🔸Fixed day off every week
🔸Full training and coaching
🔸Access to training opportunities
🔸Five weeks paid holidays plus bank holidays
🔸Practice work uniform
🔸Modern working environment, with a friendly, helpful atmosphere
🔸Access to the NHS Pension
🔸Monthly pay into a nominated bank account on the last working day of the month

Important dates:
🔹Closing date: Monday 10th November 2025
🔹Interview date: Monday 17th November 2025
🔹Start date: Monday 5th January 2026

⭐️To apply, please email a covering letter and CV to Mr Christopher Thomas, Reception Team Leader via: Christopher.thomas10@wales.nhs.uk