Please see the following statement from the UKHSA regarding cases of invasive meningococcal disease, click on the link below for further information.

UKHSA statement (Cases of invasive meningococcal disease confirmed in Kent - GOV.UK):

“The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and NHS are arranging antibiotics for some students in the Canterbury area of Kent following a number of cases of invasive meningococcal disease. The specific strain has not been identified at the present time.

From 13^th to 15^th March 2026, thirteen cases were notified with signs and symptoms of Meningitis and Septicaemia to UKHSA. Sadly, two people are known to have died.

UKHSA and the University of Kent are issuing advice to staff and students. Specialists at the UKHSA are interviewing affected individuals and their families to help identify all close contacts and arrange antibiotics to limit spread.

Anyone becoming unwell with symptoms of Meningitis and Septicaemia, should seek medical help urgently at the closest Accident and Emergency Department or by dialling 999. Early treatment can be lifesaving.”

Dear Patients,

We are pleased to inform you the internal building works is now complete.

We would like to thank you for your understanding and patience while the necessary work to increase capacity in our Clinical, Dispensary and Reception areas, for the benefit of our patients, was being carried out.

Please note: from 1st July the Dispensary opening hours will be 10.00am  - 1.00pm and 2.00pm - 6.00pm

From 31^st March 2025 all repeat prescription requests and general prescription queries will be handled by our dedicated Script Team. 

The script team will issue all repeat prescriptions - please note that we do not take repeat prescription requests over the telephone.

General prescription queries can be taken over the telephone or included in your repeat prescription request.

The way that patients request repeat prescriptions will not change, repeat requests can be handed in to the dispensary or the reception desks, dropped into the box located near the entrance to Fromefield and St. Luke’s surgeries, online via Patient Access or the NHS App (if you have online access).

Working hours for the team will be 9.00 am to 1.00 pm Monday to Friday. If you are calling the surgery please select option 2 on the main menu. Outside of these times, if your query is urgent you can hold to be transferred to the reception team.

IMPORTANT!

AUTOMATIC REPEAT PRESCRIPTIONS VIA A COMMUNITY PHARMACY WILL NO LONGER BE POSSIBLE

Reasons for the change in the way prescriptions are being managed in Frome

We hope that the change in the way patients request repeat prescriptions will improve patient safety. When patients are responsible for ordering their own repeat prescriptions, rather than relying on a local community pharmacy to do it for them automatically, it increases their understanding of the medications they are taking and is safer for patients.

Patients of the Beckington Family Practice will need to request repeat prescriptions in one of three ways, all of which many patients have been using for some time now.

Patients can:

submit their request via the NHS App/Patient Access

submit their request via the Beckington Family Practice website https://www.beckingtonfamilypractice.co.uk/prescriptions

drop a copy of their paper repeat prescription into the reception desk at Fromefield or Beckington surgeries

Support available to patients who need help with using NHS app or online form

The change will be fully implemented from 31st July 2024, we are encouraging patients to start managing their own prescription requests from now. This gives patients the chance to download the NHS App if they aren’t already using it or to try the online prescription request form, available on the practice website. It also means patients have time to get help with either of these options, if needed.

Patients can attend digital health drop-in sessions for:

Help with downloading and using the NHS App

Setting up linked profiles (also sometimes called Proxy Access) on the NHS App, which is particularly useful for family or friends who support patients with their prescription requests

Using the online prescription request forms available on our website

The digital cafe takes place every Thursday from 10 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. in the cafe at the Cheese & Grain. No appointments are needed but patients are asked to bring their mobile phone or tablet with them if coming along to one of these sessions

Local community pharmacies around Frome will stop accepting repeat prescriptions from 31st July but any that are already in circulation will be accepted by the practice until 30th September to give the new system time to take effect.

Some pharmacies may however choose to stop providing this service before these dates.

Please note with effect from 1st March 2024

There will be a £10.00 (cash only) fully refundable (on return) charge
for the loan of a blood pressure monitor.

Due to high demand please return the monitor as soon as possible.

Thank you for your co-operation.

MANAGING YOUR REFERRAL

(for patients who have created an NHS login)

Receiving your first appointment request information by Email

You are now able to receive your first outpatient appointment request information via email, instead of the traditional letter. This email will come from e-RS, not the GP practice email. It is sent to the email address registered when you created your NHS login (for more information click on creating an NHS login click here). This makes it easier and quicker for you to securely access your digital health and care services with one username and password. 

You will receive an email with a link which will take you to an NHS login screen to enter your access details. Once you have successfully logged in, you will see your home page for MYR (Manage your referral) where you can book or manage your appointment. Should an appointment be unavailable you can still put the request in, and the provider will contact you when an appointment is available.

The wearing of a mask in the surgery is now optional, however we suggest you wear one if you have respiratory symptoms.

Please speak to a member of the Reception Team if you need one.

The latest data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) shows that scarlet fever cases continue to remain higher than we would typically see at this time of year.

For further information regarding Strep-A and Scarlet Fever from Public Health England click here.

Dr Sara Bridges offers words of advice and guidance on knowing the signs of Scarlet Fever and Group A Strep, and what to do if you are worried.

Please click on the following link to watch the video. Here

Or alternatively, click on the following link to the NHS Somerset Parent Zone web page for more information: Here

A new service to help you be seen more quickly via your local pharmacist for treatment of minor conditions

We have introduced a new, same-day, GP community pharmacy consultation service to help you receive quality care and support for minor health conditions, more quickly through accessing care via your community pharmacist.

It is estimated that 1000 GP appointments have already been freed up by the new Community Pharmacy Consultation Service.

For more information on the Community Pharmacy Consultation Service, visit our website