We are changing our name from LINK to Newbury Street Patient Group(NSPG),and changing our logo. Our Constitution will also change and is to be agreed at our AGM on 9 November at 8pm which is being held at the Wantage Methodist Church Hall, Wantage.
You can make an appointment by visiting the surgery or telephoning 01235 763451 between 08:30 and 18.30 Monday to Friday.
You may also book appointments over the internet once registered with the service. To register for the internet service please ask at reception, or visit
We run a “personal list” system which means that wherever possible patients see the same doctor on each visit. This builds up continuity of care and enables doctors and patients to establish a good working relationship.
We try to ensure that you can see a doctor at a suitable time for you. We have a system whereby you can book appointments with a named doctor at least one month in advance. You may telephone (but not until after 10:00 please) or use the internet.
If you need to see a doctor on the same working day please telephone from 08:30. We will then get a GP to speak to you and deal with your problem by phone if possible or else they will give you an appointment for the same day. It would be helpful if you could ring after 10:00 for non-urgent appointments (i.e. those that are not required within the next three days). Our staff will ask you for some idea of the problem so that they can direct you to the most appropriate clinician.
Should you require urgent advice or wish to speak to a doctor we will take your details and either your normal doctor, or in their absence the duty doctor, will telephone you. You will also be advised if this is going to be a morning or afternoon call. Please remember if the matter is urgent you will always be able to speak to a clinician who will always be able to provide an urgent “fit-in” appointment if they think it necessary. If a patient needs to be seen on the day they will be.
Please remember that perhaps a nurse could treat you instead of a doctor.
Dr Harry Thangavel has taken over Dr Rowe’s patients.
Free Event – ‘Future Plans for Newbury Street Practice’on Thursday 9 November 2017at 7pm, in the Wantage Methodist Church Hall, Newbury Street, Wantage, OX12 8DA, followed by the Newbury Street Patient Group AGM at 8pm. Refreshments will be available.
We also urge you to write to Ed Vaizey aboutthe need for the extension to the Health Centre.
Wantage HospitalExtracts from the life of Dr F.V. Squires
When I came to Wantage the only hospital was the small one at Belmont. A bigger and better-equipped hospital was needed to serve the town and surrounding villages, and years of effort went into the task of raising the £12,000 which, it was estimated, such a hospital would cost. We had dances, carnivals, jumble sales and all sorts of activities to raise funds for the hospital, and I used to go around the villages to talk at fund-raising meetings. All the doctors in the area subscribed, and a bed could be endowed in the name of a donor for £50. In spite of the hard times, people were generous in giving towards the hospital, and at last we could go ahead and build. There was a hitch at the last moment, because when the date came for closing the old hospital the new one was not quite ready. We had been running down the old hospital and most of the patients could go home, but I had one patient with pneumonia who was too ill to be sent home. I had quite a row with Dr Birt about him. Birt said “Send him to the Workhouse old chap. He’ll be all right”. I said that I could not possibly send a man as ill as he was into the crowded male ward at the Workhouse, and I insisted that he should stay where he was. So he did, and the old hospital stayed open about 10 days longer than had been planned. My patient was very ill indeed .....I am happy to say that he got over the pneumonia in the end.
Even then the new hospital was not quite out of trouble. We had raised £12,000 for it, but the final cost came to £15,000, so fundraising had to continue.
Extract from ‘Leeches and Breeches’ - The life of Dr F.V. Squires written by Dr Dick Squires
(available from the Museum).
Flu season is upon us again! Saturday 7th and 14th October are the only dates available. If you are unable to make either of the sessions please call Reception after that date to see when you can be fitted in.
Please note that no invitation letters have been sent out this year. Patients can also request the flu jab if they have a doctor or nurse appointment booked over the coming weeks.
As patients at the Newbury Street Practice you automatically belong tothe Newbury Street Patient Group. You are all invited to come to our AGMincluding a talk on ‘Future Plans for Newbury Street Practice’ on Thursday 9thNovember 2017 at The Wantage Methodist Church Hall, Wantage starting at 7pm.
Election of Committee
If you are interested in having your points of view heard and would like to become a member, or wish to nominate someone (and you have their permission), please contact the Newbury Street Patient Group Secretary Sandra Helm on 07798 555513, or on by Monday 6th November 2017.
NSPG Committee members are:
Dave Fox (Chairman)Sandra Helm (Secretary)
Sue Bunch (Treasurer)
Adrian Bodimeade
Bruce Childs
Charles Clement
Peter Harbour / Janet Parker
Di Slatter (Practice Representative)
Rosemary Stickland
Tom Thacker
Joyce Ward
Lesley Weston
Suggestions, articles and letters are always welcome. Please send to or handthem into the Practice Reception marked for the attention of NSPG, or contact Sandra Helm.
If you would like this newsletter and similar information emailed to you, please send an email to using your preferred email.
If you do not wish to keep this Newsletter please pass it on.
Newbury Street Patient Group
Open Meeting
A talk on the
‘Future Plans for Newbury Street Practice’
by Dr Rhodri Davies
on
Thursday 9th November 2017at 7pm
in the
Wantage Methodist Church Hall
Newbury Street, Wantage, OX12 8DA
Followed by AGM at approximately 8pm
Refreshments will be available
* * * * * * * *
1 of 6