Practice Matters

News of our patients, from the team at Fallodon Way Medical Centre 

Issue 1: Autumn 2026

IN THIS ISSUE

  • A welcome from the practice team
  • We’re welcoming new patients
  • News from the practice
  • Working together: Affinity Primary Care Network
  • In their own words — meet the people behind your care
  • Team wellbeing: netball and a digital Walk Across Africa
  • Learning to care: students, trainees and training practices
  • Looking after yourself this season
  • Health awareness this October: ADHD, breast cancer and cholesterol
  • Have your say, and useful contacts

A welcome from the practice team

Welcome to the first edition of Practice Matters, our new quarterly newsletter for patients of Fallodon Way Medical Centre. A lot happens at the surgery between your visits — new staff, new services, changes to the way general practice works nationally — and we want to keep you informed all year round, not just when you're unwell.

In each edition you'll find practice news, an introduction to members of our team, health advice for the season ahead, and updates on the work we do with our neighbouring practice as part of Affinity Primary Care Network.

Practice Matters is our response to a request from our Patient Participation Group (PPG), who asked to know more about the practice, its team and its services. Thank you to our PPG for the suggestion, and to all our patients for your continued support and patience.

We’re welcoming new patients

Fallodon Way Medical Centre is open to new patients. If you have family, friends or neighbours who have recently moved to the area, or who are looking for a GP practice, please let them know we’d be happy to welcome them.

Registering is quick and easy. New patients can register online through our website, www.fwmc.org.uk, or by asking at reception. Our website also shows the area we cover, so people can check they live within our practice boundary.

More GP appointments.  We have added two additional GP sessions per week, and we are looking to add a further session, giving our patients more opportunities to see a GP. As a training practice, we also benefit from GP trainees who add to the care we can offer.

News from the practice

Staff news

We are delighted to welcome Deanna Walkom, who has joined us as our new Nurse Manager. Deanna brings a wealth of experience in nursing and in managing people and nursing teams within the NHS, and we're thrilled to have her on board. We will also shortly be saying a fond farewell to two long-standing members of our team, and we are currently recruiting a new Health Navigator. Finally, we're pleased to announce that we have recruited a new Pharmacy Technician, who joined the practice in August 2026.

Appointments and access

During the summer, our team answered around 135 calls every day. For routine appointments and requests, the best way to contact us remains the Accurx online form on our website, www.fwmc.org.uk. It is open throughout the working day and lets our team pick up your request quickly. You can still phone the practice if you prefer, but using the online form where you can helps keep our phone lines free for patients who find online access difficult.

Missed appointments

Every appointment that is missed without notice is time that could have been given to another patient who needed it. If you can no longer attend, please let us know as early as possible, even on the day, so we can offer the appointment to someone else. Thank you for helping us make the most of every appointment.

Our building

For almost five years we have been working hard to secure funding to expand the surgery and move our Admin team out of the current portacabin and into a proper building. Unfortunately, securing this funding has proved very difficult, and the practice may need to make changes to where our Admin team is accommodated from August 2027. Please be assured this will not affect the care and services you receive — we will keep you updated in future editions as plans develop.

We’re welcoming new patients

Fallodon Way Medical Centre doesn't work alone. We are part of Affinity Primary Care Network (PCN), which is made up of two practices: Fallodon Way Medical Centre and Westbury-on-Trym Primary Care Centre. Together, we care for a combined population of over 20,000 patients in north and west Bristol.

Working as a network means the practices can share staff, services and expertise that would be difficult for one surgery to provide on its own. Through the PCN you may be offered appointments with roles such as clinical pharmacists, first-contact physiotherapists, mental health practitioners, social prescribing link workers and care coordinators — all part of your extended practice team. The PCN also delivers joint projects such as vaccination programmes and enhanced access appointments in the evenings and at weekends.

In their own words: the people behind your care

There's much more to a GP surgery than the doctor you see in the consulting room. In every edition we'll introduce you to a different member of the team — clinical and non-clinical — so you can get to know the people working behind the scenes.

Five minutes with… Dr Lucy Burnand, GP Partner

In each edition we’ll sit down with a different member of the team. First up: our GP Partner, Dr Lucy Burnand.

What inspired you to become a GP?

Throughout my medical training I enjoyed the full spectrum of medicine. In general practice, we never know what concerns patients may bring to us on any given day, and I really value that variety.

I was also drawn to the opportunity to build lasting relationships with patients. We always do our best to provide continuity of care, although this can sometimes be challenging, as each GP in our practice looks after more than 1,000 patients. We therefore prioritise continuity for patients with long-term health conditions and those receiving end-of-life care, for whom an ongoing relationship with the same clinician can be especially important.

What does a typical day look like for you?

Every day is different, which certainly keeps us on our toes! Patient appointments are the most visible part of our work, but a great deal also happens behind the scenes. Those doctors who work both morning and afternoon sessions are usually in the practice for at least 10–11 hours, which explains why they can’t be in every day.

I usually arrive early to begin working through my inbox. This includes reviewing blood test results, acting on advice from hospital clinic letters and reading discharge summaries. I then start my clinic. We see between 13 and 15 patients in every morning and afternoon clinic.

At midday, we meet with our care coordinators, senior pharmacist and nurse practitioners to discuss patients with complex needs and allocate doctors to visit housebound patients.

Between morning and afternoon clinics, we may carry out home visits, or attend meetings with district nurses, the pharmacy team or the management team. If time allows, I join my colleagues for a quick walk around the block to stretch my legs and get some fresh air.

I usually cover the duty session on Thursday afternoon. This involves assessing patients who are acutely unwell, reviewing patients in the treatment room who our nurses may be concerned about, speaking with paramedics who are attending our patients, and dealing with urgent prescription requests.

At the end of the day, I complete further administrative work and write referrals for patients I have seen that day. Then I am ready to head home!

What is the best part of working at Fallodon Way?

Without a doubt, it is our team. We have a fantastic group of care navigators, administrative and management staff, doctors, nurses, care coordinators and pharmacy professionals. There is a wonderful team spirit, and everyone works together to provide the best possible care for our patients within the resources allocated to us.

What piece of health advice do you give most often?

I am a firm believer in the principle that prevention is better than cure. Regular exercise – ideally at least 150 minutes each week – alongside a balanced diet and avoiding smoking can make a huge impact on improving physical and mental health.

Patients who make these changes often feel much better and may even be able to reduce or stop certain medications.

What small change could patients make to help the practice run more smoothly?

Downloading the NHS App is a simple but valuable step. Patients can use it to order repeat medication and view test results and medical records online. This also helps to keep our telephone lines available for patients who find online access difficult.

What common health myth would you like to put to rest?

The idea that cold weather causes colds. Colds are caused by viruses, not by cold air itself. However, colder weather tends to bring people indoors, where they spend more time together in enclosed and sometimes poorly ventilated spaces. This makes it easier for viruses to spread. So please remember to book in for your flu and COVID jabs if you are eligible for them!

Tea or coffee – and how many cups a day?

Tea – dare I admit, up to six cups a day… although I do try to drink plenty of water in between.

 

Advice from our nursing team: why your annual review matters

If you live with a long-term condition such as asthma, COPD, diabetes, high blood pressure or heart disease, you'll be invited once a year for an annual review — usually around your birthday month. It can be tempting to skip it if you're feeling well, but please don't. Your annual review is how we:

  • check your condition is well controlled and catch any problems early, before they make you unwell;
  • make sure your medication is still the right one, at the right dose, and actually working for you;
  • carry out important checks like blood pressure, blood tests, and foot or breathing checks depending on your condition;
  • give you time to ask questions and set goals for the year ahead.

To get the most out of your review: have any blood tests done beforehand if we've asked you to, bring an up-to-date list of your medicines (or your repeat slip), and jot down anything you'd like to discuss. When your invitation arrives — by text, letter or a message on your prescription — please book in. Ten minutes with us once a year can prevent a hospital visit later.

Team wellbeing

 

Netball, ‘friendly’ style

netball 

Our team recently swapped keyboards and stethoscopes for netball bibs and met up for a friendly game of netball. We say ‘friendly’… for a group of people who spend their days being caring and patient, there were some remarkably competitive interceptions! In the end we were having so much fun that nobody actually kept score, so the question of who won will have to be settled at the rematch. Maybe next time.

Navy bibs or yellow bibs? We’re still not saying who won!

A digital Walk Across Africa

Throughout October and November, the team is taking on a digital Walk Across Africa: a team step challenge where every step we take counts towards a virtual journey across the continent. Everyone is really excited about it, and we’ll let you know how far we get in the next edition.

Learning to care: students, trainees and training practices

You may sometimes see a medical student sitting in on your appointment, or be seen by a GP trainee. Here’s a quick guide to who they are and why they’re here.

Medical students

Medical students are studying at university to become doctors, a course that usually takes five or six years. Part of their learning happens in GP surgeries, where they observe consultations and, under close supervision, may take a history or carry out a simple examination. They are not yet qualified doctors and always work alongside a qualified GP. We’ll always ask your permission before a student joins your appointment, and it’s absolutely fine to say no. It won’t affect your care in any way.

GP trainees

GP trainees, or junior doctors (sometimes called GP registrars or doctors in training), are fully qualified doctors. They have completed medical school and at least one or two further years working in hospitals, and are now doing specialist training in general practice. For many of them, this will lead to becoming a GP. This training takes at least three years and includes time in both hospitals and general practice. Trainees see patients independently, but are supported by an experienced GP supervisor whom they can discuss cases with at any time. As part of their assessment, trainees may occasionally ask if they can video record a consultation. This is only ever done with your written consent, and you can decline.

Fully qualified GPs.  A fully qualified GP has completed all of this training, passed the Royal College of General Practitioners’ exams (MRCGP), and is listed on the General Medical Council’s GP Register. GPs continue learning throughout their careers and go through regular appraisal and revalidation to keep their licence to practise.

What is a training practice?

A training practice is a surgery that has been approved to teach and supervise doctors in training. To earn this approval, the practice is inspected and must meet high standards, and its GP trainers complete additional qualifications and specific training in medical education. Being a training practice means our clinicians keep their own knowledge up to date, and it helps grow the next generation of GPs – something the NHS badly needs.

Training doctors is something we’re proud of, and it has a way of coming full circle: two of our own GPs, Dr Kuur and Dr Burnand, were once medical students here at Fallodon Way Medical Centre.

Your choice matters. If you’d prefer not to have a student present, or would rather see a particular clinician, just let our reception team know when you book.

 

What can a GP trainee do?

Because GP trainees are fully qualified doctors, they can do most of what you’d expect from a GP appointment. They can assess and examine you, make a diagnosis, prescribe medication, order blood tests and scans, refer you to hospital specialists, issue fit notes, carry out reviews of long-term conditions and arrange follow-up care. They can also do telephone consultations and home visits.

What’s different?

Trainees work under supervision, so some things work a little differently:

  • They always have an experienced GP supervisor on hand, and may briefly step out or pause to check something with them. This is a normal part of training and a sign of good practice, not a cause for concern.
  • Their appointments are often longer, especially early in training, giving them time to be thorough.
  • Their work is regularly reviewed by their supervisor, which means you effectively benefit from two doctors looking at your care.
  • Some tasks, such as certain complex reports, legal or insurance paperwork, or particular specialist procedures, may be passed to a qualified GP depending on the trainee’s stage of training and practice policy.
  • They are with the practice for a set placement, so if you need ongoing care after they leave, it will be handed over to another clinician.

Looking after yourself this season

  • Autumn vaccinations. Our autumn vaccination programme is now under way. We held our first flu vaccination clinic on Saturday 3 October 2026, and there is another flu clinic on Saturday 10 October and a combined flu and COVID-19 clinic on Saturday 17 October. Eligible patients should have received a text message from the practice inviting them to book an appointment. If you think you're eligible but haven't heard from us, please get in touch.
  • Pharmacy First. Your local pharmacy can assess and treat seven common conditions — including sore throats, earache, sinusitis and urinary infections in women — without a GP appointment.
  • NHS App. Order repeat prescriptions, view your records and manage appointments from your phone. Ask at reception if you'd like help getting started.
  • Health checks and screening. If you're invited for an NHS Health Check or for bowel, breast or cervical screening, please take up the offer — these appointments save lives.

Health awareness this October

ADHD Awareness Month, 1–31 October

ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition affecting both children and adults. It involves a long-term pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that interferes with daily life or typical development. People with ADHD may also have difficulties with:

  • maintaining attention;
  • executive function (the brain’s ability to plan and carry out tasks);
  • working memory.

There are two main types of ADHD, and some of the symptoms of each are listed below.

Inattentive presentation

  • Makes careless mistakes
  • Has difficulty sustaining attention or listening
  • Struggles to follow through on instructions or to get organised
  • Avoids or dislikes tasks requiring sustained mental effort
  • Loses things and is forgetful in daily activities

Hyperactive-impulsive presentation

  • Fidgets with hands or feet, or squirms in their chair
  • Has difficulty remaining seated, waiting or taking turns
  • Runs about or climbs excessively (in children), or feels extremely restless (in adults)
  • Has difficulty doing activities quietly
  • Talks excessively, interrupts, or answers before questions have been finished

A third type, combined ADHD, includes symptoms of both. You can find out more about ADHD, its symptoms, diagnosis and the support available on the ADHD UK website: adhduk.co.uk.

ADHD Awareness Month aims to share awareness, information and support worldwide, and people with ADHD are invited to share their art, stories and memes to inform and inspire others. Find out more and get involved at adhdawarenessmonth.org.

 

Breast Cancer Awareness Month, 1–31 October

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in the UK. It mainly affects women, but men can get it too. If you notice one or more of the symptoms below, it doesn’t mean you definitely have cancer, as they can all be caused by other things. But please contact us to get checked: the earlier breast cancer is diagnosed, the easier it is to treat. Symptoms include:

  • a lump in your breast;
  • a lump or swelling in your armpit;
  • changes in the size, shape or feel of your breast;
  • skin changes, including puckering, dimpling, a rash, redness or a new sore;
  • fluid leaking from your nipple when you’re not pregnant or breastfeeding;
  • a change in the position of your nipple;
  • breast pain – although breast pain is common and is not usually due to cancer.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a global campaign held every October to raise awareness of breast cancer, promote earlier diagnosis and support those affected.

There are lots of ways to take part. You can help raise awareness of the signs and symptoms, perhaps by holding an awareness event or encouraging friends, family and colleagues to check their breasts regularly. You can also run or join a fundraising activity, or ‘Wear it pink’ in October to show your support. The Breast Cancer Now website has lots of ideas and resources: breastcancernow.org.

 

Sober October 1st–31st October

Sober October is a fundraising challenge that asks people to go alcohol-free for the month of October. It is an opportunity to make a healthy lifestyle change while raising vital funds to support all those affected by alcohol harm.

Alcohol is a part of many of our lives. It is legal and socially acceptable, and sometimes even encouraged, so we use it for celebration, for comfort, to socialise, to wind down and sometimes to cope. But in the UK, one person dies every hour as a result of their drinking, leaving behind grieving families and friends. Drinking too much alcohol increases your risk of:

  • Mouth cancer, throat cancer and breast cancer
  • Stroke
  • Heart disease
  • Liver disease
  • Brain damage
  • Damage to the nervous system
  • Mental health issues

You can find out more about the risks associated with drinking alcohol at https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/alcohol-advice/the-risks-of-drinking-too-much/.
Taking a month off alcohol has many benefits, including a better general sense of wellbeing, having a clearer head and more energy, getting better quality sleep, and a sense of achievement. It can also help break the cycle of regular drinking which can lead to alcohol dependency. If you are worried about your own or someone else’s drinking, visit https://alcoholchange.org.uk for support and advice.

Sober October use the funds raised to help people reduce their alcohol intake by providing advice and support and helpful apps, as well as campaigning for better education and policies on alcohol consumption and availability. You can find more information and sign up for the challenge at https://www.soberoctober.org.uk/about..

Have your say

Help us shape your surgery

Your feedback genuinely changes how we work. Here's how to share it:

  • Friends & Family Test. Cards at reception or via the link in our text messages — it takes under a minute.
  • Join the Patient Participation Group (PPG). A group of volunteer patients who meet with the practice to share ideas and feedback. All ages and backgrounds welcome — ask at reception or email [PPG/practice email].
  • Tell us what to cover. Is there something you'd like explained in the next edition — how prescriptions work, how appointments are triaged, what a care coordinator does? Let us know.

You said, we did:  At our last PPG meeting, patients asked for a board showing photos and names of our staff, so it's easier to know who's who. This is now on display in the reception area — do take a look next time you're in.

Useful contacts

Fallodon Way Medical Centre

0117 962 0652  ·  www.fwmc.org.uk  ·  13 Fallodon Way, Henleaze, Bristol BS9 4HT

Out of hours / urgent advice

NHS 111 (phone or 111.nhs.uk)

Emergencies

999

Repeat prescriptions

Via the NHS App, practice website or your nominated pharmacy

Feedback & complaints

[Practice Manager name / email]  ·  Friends & Family Test cards at reception

 

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Practice Matters is produced by Fallodon Way Medical Centre for our patients. If you'd like a large-print copy, or have an idea or question for a future edition, please let us know — we'd love to hear from you.