News from the Patient Participation Group - March 2026

 

Issue 38 March 2026

Welcome to our first newsletter of the year which covers a range of topics that we hope you will find interesting.

We start with the topic of Medicines. NHS England requires prescribers to ensure that people get the right choice of medicines, at the right time, and are engaged in the process. This is known as Medicines Optimisation.

Dr Latha is the Practice lead on Medicines Optimisation. In this connection, at the end of last year, she asked PPG members to complete a questionnaire about the process of ordering repeat prescriptions at Paxton Green and followed this with a presentation alongside the Practice Pharmacy Team at the January PPG meeting. She reported that the vast majority of respondents said they found the repeat prescribing process clear, timely, safe and effective.

The process involves:

  • Managing prescription queries
  • Checking times of when prescriptions are issued
  • Monitoring of medications
  • Processing hospital letter medication instructions
  • Managing high risk medications
  • Managing prescription queries

The Practice has 8240 patients on repeat prescriptions. Per day it receives approximately:

  • 252 requests submitted in hard copy, via the Practice website or from a community pharmacist
  • 78 requests via the NHS App or 'Patient Online' website

The Government is promoting the NHS App for patients ordering their repeat prescriptions, but these can also requested via an online form on the Practice website between 8am and 6.30pm or in person.

The Practice Pharmacy Team comprises three pharmacists, (Chrysavgi Vlachou, Asres Tewelde and Lamile Aryee), a pharmacy technician (Hannah Ikhilo) and the prescription clerk (Dyron McKenzie).

The practice pharmacists see patients for medication reviews, queries about their medication, blood pressure reviews and cholesterol management. They are trained and skilled in knowing what medications are required for specific conditions. They can recommend certain medications which a doctor must sign off on before a prescription can be issued to the patient. However, as Chrysavgi has completed an independent prescribing course, she can prescribe medications without a doctor's signature. Asres and Lamile will be completing their independent prescribing courses within the next 12 months. The pharmacists can add new medications to patients' records on clear instruction from hospital specialists, but may reject them if they do not follow the SE London Integrated Care Board guidance.

The pharmacy technician is responsible for auditing patient records to check, for example, that medication reviews for those with certain conditions are up-to-date. She also receives the incoming hospital letters with medication instructions.

Monday to Friday the Prescription Clerk checks for all incoming prescriptions and allocates them to the appropriate doctor or practice pharmacist. He tries to get them processed as quickly as possible, usually in order of arrival, although some have to be checked more urgently. Sometimes requests are rejected because:

  • The medication needs monitoring
  • The medication has been discontinued
  • The request has been put in too early
  • The medication can only be issued by the hospital

When this happens, he will try to call or text the patient to explain and advise what to do instead. If a doctor has rejected medication, s/he should contact the patient.

 

Chicken Pox and the new MMRV vaccination

Chicken pox is a common infection that spreads easily and mostly affects children. It usually gets better on its own after 1 to 2 weeks without needing to see a GP, but can be serious in some people. In particular, it can be dangerous for newborn babies, anyone who is pregnant or those with a weakened immune system.

The old MMR vaccination has been updated and is now known as the MMRV vaccination. The MMRV vaccination protects against chickenpox as well as measles, mumps and rubella. It is offered by the NHS to children in 2 doses when they are 12 months and 18 months old. Children born on or after 1 January 2020 are also offered 1 or 2 doses. (Some people may be offered the chickenpox vaccine if there's a risk that they could spread the virus to someone who has a weakened immune system).

 

GetUBetter App

Patients registered at Paxton Green Group Practice with a range of new or recurrent musculoskeletal conditions (MSK) (e.g. lower back, neck, shoulder, ankle, knee, hip and lower limb pain) can use the Lambeth MSK app (powered by GetUBetter). This is provided free of charge by the South East London integrated Care System. It can be accessed on a Smartphone or other digital device, and guides you day-by-day through a sequence of exercises and tips to help you recover or manage your symptoms

You can be referred by a doctor or a practice physiotherapist or you can self-refer online

The app also has information and advice on women's pelvic health and the menopause.

 

Support for unpaid carers

An unpaid carer is someone who provides vital care and support to a family member, friend or someone in their community, free of charge. Lambeth, Southwark, Bromley and Croydon Councils provide information and advice on their websites for unpaid carers. They also offer individual assessments to look at what might help make life easier for the carer. To find out more, search for Unpaid Carers on the website of the local authority (council) where the person being cared for lives.

 

Women's Health – Pre Conception

The last of the four free events covering different aspects of women's health takes place on Tuesday, March 17th, 12.30-3.30pm at Myatts Field North Centre, 24 Crawshay Road, SW9 6FZ.

It will include a presentation by a specialist/consultant, health checks and signposting to support.

More information about community health education session

The Kintsugi Way is a registered charity which supports women over 18 who have experienced sexual trauma. You can sign up to receive news and to register an interest in events and workshops for yourself or someone you know via their website

Man Down UK is a non-profit community interest company dedicated to supporting men with mental health challenges. It runs informal, peer-led groups providing a safe, judgement-free space for men to share their struggles and connect with others who understand. A group meets fortnightly on Mondays between 7 and 8pm at the Brixton Tate Library. More information about Man Down UK

For urgent medical issues visit the slam crisis website

The next PPG meeting will take place on Monday, April 27th 2026 from 3.30pm to 5pm.

To join the PPG, please enrol at Reception or complete our secure online form

Published: Mar 1, 2026