December 2025 Patient Newsletter
❄️ Our monthly round up
As we enter the heart of the festive season, we want to take a moment to thank you for being part of our practice community throughout the year. December is a time for reflection, connection, and looking after our health amidst the celebrations. Over the past month, we’ve been busy supporting patients, preparing for winter, and sharing important health updates. Here’s a look back at some of what’s been happening in November, before we turn our attention to staying well and enjoying the holidays ahead. In November we:
Processed 1555 prescriptions.
Answered 2839 phone calls
Processed 2692 online requests (that’s an average of 90 requests a day)
Delivered 3305 appointments (face-to-face and telephone).
Offered 2748 GP appointments, 1014 nurse appointments and 324 other healthcare appointments.
📞 Introducing our new voice AI assistant
We’re excited to share some big news! We’ve introduced a Voice AI Assistant to make it easier than ever to contact us.
- No more long waits: Your call will be answered immediately.
- Same great care: The AI follows the same steps as our receptionists to get you what you need.
- Quick and easy help: Whether it’s booking an appointment or getting advice, everything happens faster.
We’re thrilled to bring you this improvement! Need a human? Just let the AI know anytime and we’ll pop you through to the team!
🎄 Christmas closures
The practice will be closed on the following dates:
Thursday 25th December
Friday 26th December
Thursday 1st January.
Please make sure you have enough medication for the Christmas period. Please submit your prescription requests by Monday 22nd December and then Monday 29th December.
☕ Community meeting places this December
Looking for a warm, welcoming place to connect with others this winter? From December, Wandsworth residents can visit Community Spaces across the borough.
These hubs offer:
🤝 A friendly chat with neighbours
🎨 Activities and events
☕ Hot drinks
📚 Access to council services and support
Most services are free, and some spaces even offer shared meals. Read more and find your nearest Community Space
⛄ Protect yourself this winter – get your vaccines
Now winter is truly upon us, it’s important that eligible patients get their seasonal vaccines, including the flu jab and any other recommended winter vaccinations. These vaccines help protect you and those around you from serious illness and complications. Don’t wait, book your appointment while stocks last to ensure you are fully protected. For up-to-date information on who should be vaccinated and how to access your vaccines, visit the NHS website at www.nhs.uk/winter-vaccinations
📲 Stay connected with the NHS App
We encourage all our patients to download and use the NHS App – the easiest way to manage your healthcare online. Through the app, you can:
- View test results and medical records
- Book, cancel or manage appointments
- Order repeat prescriptions
- Access trusted NHS health information
You can watch a video which shows you how to view messages and turn on your notifications here. Make sure you turn your notifications on in the App.
It’s a quick, secure, and convenient way to stay on top of your health.
ℹ️ Please respond to health messages
We’re encouraging all patients to respond promptly to any health-related messages sent by text or email. These messages may include important information about your care, test results, medication reviews, or invitations to book appointments or vaccinations. Recently, we’ve noticed a high number of patients not replying, which can delay care and follow-up.
Please check your messages regularly and let us know if your contact details have changed, so we can keep in touch easily. A quick reply helps us manage your care more efficiently and ensures you don’t miss out on important updates.
⏳ Help us keep waiting times down
In November, 165 appointments were missed, amounting to 41 hours of clinic time that could have been used to see other patients in need of care. If you are unable to attend an appointment, please let us know as soon as possible so we can offer it to someone else.
You can cancel appointments easily by:
Using your NHS account via the NHS website or NHS App
Replying CANCEL to your appointment reminder text
Repeatedly missing appointments without notice may mean we ask you to find another GP practice and remove you from our list. Thank you for helping us make the most of our clinic time and supporting other patients.
🔏 Improving your privacy
We have introduced an iPad at the reception desk to enable patients to privately submit their medical requests without the need to interact with the reception team. This has been introduced in response to patient feedback over privacy concerns about sharing private medical information.
🤍 Coping with grief during the festive season
The festive season can be especially difficult when you’re grieving. While others may seem to be celebrating, you might be feeling sadness, loneliness, or a mix of emotions that change from day to day. It’s important to be gentle with yourself and to recognise that there is no right or wrong way to cope during this time. You may find comfort in keeping certain traditions, or you might prefer to do things differently this year, either choice is okay. Reaching out to trusted friends, family, or community groups can help you feel less alone, and even small moments of connection can make a difference. If you feel you need additional support, a range of local and national bereavement services are available to offer guidance, companionship, and a listening ear when you need it most. Wandsworth Bereavement Services provide one-to-one sessions and are free of charge if you are referred by your GP. Other services which may help you are:
Wandsworth Children’s Services – Local bereavement options for children and families.
NHS Bereavement Support Services
Marie Curie – Telephone support for people grieving after terminal illness.
Talk Grief – Support platform for teens and young adults.
Winston’s Wish – Support for children who have lost a parent or sibling.
🚶🏼➡️ Stay active and eat well this winter
Staying active and eating well during the winter months can make a big difference to your energy levels and overall wellbeing. Even short bursts of movement, such as a brisk walk, gentle stretching, or simple exercises at home, can help lift your mood and support your physical health. With darker evenings and colder weather, it’s easy to slip into less balanced eating habits, but small choices like adding extra fruit and vegetables, staying hydrated, and enjoying festive foods in moderation can help you feel your best. You don’t need to aim for perfection, just making a few manageable changes can have a positive impact throughout the season. If you’re looking for motivation, local walking groups, community activities, and online resources can offer friendly support and inspiration. For more help and information to stay well this winter visit https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/seasonal-health/keep-warm-keep-well/
📝 Help us to stay in the loop
From time to time, you may receive a request from us for your email address so we can keep your records up to date. Please respond to any requests you receive from the surgery, as it helps ensure we’re providing you with the right care for you.
If you would like to opt out of receiving these monthly updates, please complete this form.
