Windrush Patient's Newsletter

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 (3/2/2026 & 3/3/2026) 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 9.30am through to 11.45 in order to provide an enhanced and improved service.

We do not always need medicines to make us feel better

A lot of things can make us feel unwell. Some need medical treatment, others are more about the difficulties we all face, at times, in our day to day lives.

Do you feel that in this New year you want to … Be more active? .. Meet new people? … Make new friends? Or maybe you want to help other people; re-connect; learn something new; take up a new hobby.

Social Prescribers work with people aged 18+ and can support you to connect to the different non-medical services, support activities and opportunities which exist locally. Remember – we don’t always need medicines to make us feel better! All these could improve your mental health and wellbeing. And your Doctor may advise you to talk to a Social Prescriber.

Winey Hospital: changes to Minor Injuries Unit and other areas

Considerable work is being done to some of the Witney Hospital areas. The changes will help to meet the increasing demands on Minor Injuries and also facilitate more clinics being held here rather than going into Oxford. Here is a summary of what is happening:

• Reception: currently there are two reception desks (one for the hospital /one for Minor Injuries). There will be one desk in future which will be on the left side of the entrance and deal with everyone coming to the hospital.
• Minor Injuries: will increase from three bays to six bays. The three new bays will include a triage bay and an isolation bay. A new children’s area is included – which will have seats for parents as well as children.
• Outpatients’ area: an outpatients’ area will replace the existing administration office. It will have four bays and it is anticipated that the scope of services available will widen as technology allows for procedures to be done locally rather than at the main hospitals.

The work is already underway and it is hoped that it will be completed in late Spring.

Please check your medicine cabinet / box / cupboard

With winter upon us, 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.

Time to declutter? You will feel so much better afterwards ….

An old Finnish proverb states “Happiness resides in the balance between too little and too much”. Headway and others advise some simple steps to help you to clear those boxes and shelves.

• The 10/20 rule: if an item cost less than £10 or takes less than 20 minutes to replace then let it go: this helps you to let go of things you keep “just in case”.
• The 90/90 rule: have you used the item in the last 90 days? Do you intend to use it in the next 90 days? If the answers are no then away it goes!
• The 12:12:12 rule. Identify and throw out 12 items, give away 12 items and put 12 items back where they belong.

The January (or February) challenge:

(as highly recommended by a Windrush patient)

On the 1st of the month throw out one item. On the 2nd of the month throw out two items. On the 3rd of the month throw out 3 items. And so on through the month so that on the 31st of the month you throw out 31 items. (That may sound a lot but you may, like me, have far too many pencils, far too many out of date items in the store cupboard).

Remember: Throwing out doesn’t necessarily mean throwing away: the charity shops and various organisations welcome items which you don’t need any more! It's amazing how good you will feel on the 1st of the next month – looking back at having thrown out 496 things (however small they may be!)

How to listen to people

With Christmas now just a memory, you may notice that a friend is feeling unhappy, uncertain or lonely. If they turn to you to talk, then here are some good tips for listening (as advised by the Samaritans).

• Show you care: focus on the other person, make eye contact, put your phone away.
• Have patience: it may take time and several attempts before a person will open up.
• Use open questions: more than a yes/no reply.. “tell me more”.
• Say it back: to check that you’ve understood (but don’t interrupt or offer a solution).
• Have courage: don’t be put off by a negative response, and don’t feel that you have to fill a silence.

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

With winter 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.

Witney Well being walks – every Tuesday afternoon at 2.00pm led by staff at the Nuffield practice. All welcome to join. A friendly walk along the footpaths of Witney starting outside the Nuffield Medical Practice. New walkers of all abilities are always welcome. Leisurely pace between 2-3 miles and lasting approximately 1 hour. Depending on weather conditions we may walk along country footpaths.

Please wear suitable footwear and appropriate clothing for the weather conditions. There is the option to join a group for a cup of tea or coffee at the end.

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!

If you have some spare time, and feel that you can make a positive difference and want to find out more please pop your contact details in the Patients’ Post Box or use the above Gmail address. We would love to hear from you.

Published: Jan 23, 2026