Patient's Newsletter

Welcome to the latest Windrush Patients’ Group Newsletter

Christmas and New Year at the Practice

Please note that the Practice will close at 6.30pm on Christmas Eve and will reopen on Monday 29th December.

• The Practice will also be closed on New Year's Day.
• If you need medical help during this time please call 111.
• However, if you suspect a serious issue, such as heart failure or stroke, dial 999 immediately.

Please don’t forget to check your prescriptions and medication for the Christmas and New Year time. If you do this early in December you will have time to contact the Practice if you think you will be running low.

At present, we do not have information about the opening times of Chemists over the Christmas period. But they will advertise them well in their own shops so remember to be make a note while you are there.

Help with Accurx, the online booking system and NHS App.

Our willing and highly capable PPG Volunteer, Ian, will be continuing his support at the refurbished Witney Library on first Tuesday each month in the new year (6th January 2026, 3rd February 2026 & 3rd March 2026) should you feel you have questions or need help. Please book with the library on 01865 815207. Appointments are now for 45 minutes starting at 9.45am through to 11.45am in order to provide and enhanced and improved service.

Research news

The Windrush Medical Practice (WMP) is one of 14 new NIHR Primary Care Commercial Research Delivery Centres aimed at shifting research and care from hospitals to community settings The bid to become such a Centre was undertaken by a team led by the Windrush GP, Dr Nick Thomas. The outcome is a share of 14 million pounds to facilitate the pharmaceutical industry recruiting local patients, not just those registered at WMP, to trials of innovative medical treatment options that might not be available in any other way. The award recognises the highly successful track record of the research conducted by Dr Thomas and his team over many years.

Armed Forces veteran friendly accredited GP practice

Anyone logging onto the Windrush Medical Practice website will see that our practice is an Armed Forces veteran friendly accredited GP practice. I was struck and reminded recently that it is 43 years since the conflict in the Falklands and how we should continue to remember those who took part and those who died. To this end I notice there is a Falklands Tribute courtesy of Standing with Giants and it is now officially open at Nothe Fort in Weymouth. Are you visiting/on holiday in that area? The tribute honours the 255 servicemen and 3 civilians who lost their lives during the Falklands War in 1982.

It is open from 5 November – 30 November 2025. Booking & visitor information online.

Please check your medicine cabinet / box / cupboard

With winter fast approaching, it would be a good idea to make sure that you’ve got some medication in the house to combat common winter illnesses before they become too serious.

Our local pharmacies have a good selection of appropriate medicines to deal with sore throats, urinary tract infections, earache, etc.

Oxford University Hospitals

Oxford University Hospitals advise that ‘Team Oxfordshire' is united in tackling winter pressures across health and social care services

As the colder months approach, health and social care partners across Oxfordshire are once again coming together as ‘Team Oxfordshire’ to prepare for and respond to the growing pressures that winter brings. Teams from across the county’s hospitals, GP practices, adult social care, mental health services, ambulance services, community health services, and the voluntary and community sector are working together to keep services running smoothly, and ensure people receive the right care, in the right place, at the right time.

(The good news is that the programme to support you and get you back home quickly has worked very well for a patient known to us. He is recovering well in familiar surroundings. )

Winter brings additional challenges each year, including a rise in respiratory illnesses, flu and COVID-19, and worsening health conditions caused by colder weather. If you do become unwell and are generally fit and healthy, many local pharmacies are now able to give you effective treatments without the need to see a GP, including treatments for common winter health conditions including earache, sinusitis, sore throat and straightforward urinary tract infections.

Unpaid Carers

Are you caring for someone? If so, then Carers Oxfordshire is running new drop-in sessions for unpaid carers at Witney Community Hospital, in partnership with Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust.

Pop along for a friendly chat, advice, and support, whether you need help with carer assessments, local groups, emergency planning, or just finding time for yourself.

• When? Every third Wednesday, 2:00pm – 4:00pm
• Where? at Witney Community Hospital, Welch Way, OX28 6JJ (alternating between Linfoot and Wensrisc Wards)

If you look after a loved one in Oxfordshire, you don’t have to do it alone.

More information about the Drop In sessions

Are you feeling out of sorts, worried or fed up?

With winter nearly here, shorter days and colder weather, it can be hard to get out and about. So it is important to stay connected with friends, and join local events when you can, even if the weather isn’t good. Connecting with others helps us to feel supported and less isolated in the darker months.

But if you are worried and feeling low, then Oxfordshire Talking Therapies offers free NHS support for anxiety and deparession. They can provide practical, short-term treatments which can help you to manage those feelings and improve your wellbeing. Just call them on 01865 901 222. Or you can self-refer online to arrange an initial call. You can also ask your GP for a referral.

Your Patients’ Participation Group is here for you

To contact us then please  pop a note in the Patients’ Post Box which is in the Information Area (corner of the waiting room)

We look forward to hearing from you!

Published: Nov 19, 2025