Newsletter – November 2025
Welcome to our November newsletter, keeping you updated on important information and surgery news.
Winter Fuel Payment: Helping with Heating Costs
As the colder months approach, we want to ensure our patients are aware of the support available. The Winter Fuel Payment is an annual, tax-free lump sum from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) designed to help eligible individuals in England and Wales with their heating bills.
Who is eligible? For winter 2025-2026, you could be eligible if you were born on or before 21 September 1959 and live in England or Wales. Most eligible people receive the payment automatically. You will typically receive a letter in October or November explaining how much you will get, with payments made from mid-November onwards.
Please note: If your total annual income is over £35,000, the payment may be recovered through the tax system.
Where to find more information: For comprehensive details on eligibility, amounts, and key dates, or if you need to claim because you don’t receive certain benefits automatically, please visit the official GOV.UK website: www.gov.uk/winter-fuel-payment
Total Triage at Highfield surgery: Working Harder Than Ever
At Highfield surgery, we continue to operate a ‘total triage’ system to manage patient requests effectively and ensure everyone receives the most appropriate care. This means that every patient contact is assessed by a clinician to determine the urgency and nature of the need.
We understand that accessing healthcare can sometimes be challenging, and we want to assure you that our team is working harder than ever to meet the growing demand. We are incredibly grateful to the many patients who take the time to submit their queries online. This greatly helps to free up our phone lines for those who cannot use online services or have urgent concerns, allowing us to manage our workload more efficiently and provide timely care to all. Your cooperation makes a real difference
Keeping Warm and Well This Winter
Staying warm in winter is crucial for your health, especially for older people, young children, and those with long-term health conditions. Here are some tips to help you keep warm:
- Heat your home efficiently: Aim to heat your main living area to at least 18°C (64°F) and your bedroom to 16°C (61°F).
- Layer up: Wear several thin layers of clothing rather than one thick one.
- Eat warm meals and drinks: Hot food and drinks throughout the day can help keep your core temperature up.
- Stay active: Move around regularly to generate body heat.
- Check your heating: Make sure your heating system is working properly before the really cold weather sets in.
- Look out for others: Check in on elderly or vulnerable neighbours and relatives.
Welcome Our New Receptionists
We are delighted to introduce the newest members of our reception team: Jane, Karen, and Ann. They are joining us to help improve your experience at Highfield surgery and are looking forward to assisting you.
As they settle into their new roles, they may occasionally need to place you on hold briefly whilst they consult with more experienced team members to ensure you receive the most accurate and helpful information. We appreciate your patience and understanding as they learn the ropes. Please join us in giving them a warm welcome.
Navigating Staff Shortages Together
We want to be transparent with our patients about the challenges we sometimes face. Currently, the healthcare sector, including our surgery, is experiencing a period of high sickness levels and staff shortages. While our dedicated team works tirelessly to provide the best possible care, finding immediate replacement staff can be very difficult.
This can, unfortunately, sometimes lead to longer waiting times on the phone or for appointments. We are doing everything we can to minimise disruption and thank you for your patience and understanding during these times. Your support allows us to focus on caring for those most in need.
