Dispensing patients (you collect your medication from us), are eligible to use our 'new' Pharmacy collection box – Pharmabox24. This will allow you to collect your dispensed medication at a time that suits you (24/7). 

When you are signed up to use the Pharmabox, you will be sent a collection code via SMS when your prescription is ready for collection, this code is only valid for 3 days, and will enable you to collect your medication at a time of your choice (24/7).

If you are interested in using this facility please complete the attached registration form and return it to the dispensary: Pharmabox24 Sign Up Form.doc

If you have any further questions please pop into dispensary and one of our colleagues will discuss with you.

Tax credit payments made by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) ended on Saturday 5 April 2025. 

After this date, people who hold a tax credit exemption certficate will no longer receive automatic entitlement to free NHS prescriptions under the ‘Tax Credit exemption certificate’ category as it will no longer be a valid prescription charge exemption reason.

Tax credits are being replaced by Universal Credit. However, Universal Credit does not automatically entitle patients to help with their health costs. More information can be found on the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) website.

Prescriptions dispensed on or before 5 April 2025 can be dispensed free of charge using the M or ‘Tax Credit exemption certificate’ exemption categories, even if collected after 5 April.

Leiston Surgery will be taking part in the Spring 2025 Covid Booster Campaign.

The vaccine campaign will start from 1 April 2025 and the end date will be 17 June 2025.

The eligible cohorts are confirmed as follows -  

• Adults aged 75 years and over
• Residents in a care home for older adults 
• Individuals aged 6 months and over who are immunosuppressed as defined in the COVID-19 chapter of the Green Book

Please note we will only be vaccinating patients 18yrs and over as a different vaccine is required for children, appointments for patients under 18 can be booked via the NHS website - 

https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/vaccination-and-booking-services/book-covid-19-vaccination/

We will be sending invitations to all eligible patients, please contact reception on 01728 830526, option 5 AFTER 2pm to book an appointment. 

The NHS App has been updated and as of 3rd February 2025 it will no longer be compatible with certain smartphone software.

This will affect people who use the following versions of iOS and Android operation systems:
- iOS 12
- Android 6
- Android 7

These users will not be able to access the NHS App via the app on their phones and will need to access the NHS App via their web browser. We estimate that this will affect 6,500 iOS and 5,500 Android users who only have access to a single device.

Users using iOS 13 and iOS 14 on their phones, can upgrade on their devices to the minimum supported version, iOS 15.

In-App messages have been sent to the above users, since May 2024, letting them know they will need to update their devices to continue to have access to the NHS App on their device, alternatively they can continue to access the information in their NHS App by logging into their NHS Account via a web browser.

From 1st September 2024, those who turn 75 and those age 75 to 79 will be eligible for a free vaccine to protect them from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). RSV can cause pneumonia which can be serious.

For more information on the RSV vaccine you can read this leaflet here: www.gov.uk/government/publications/respiratory-syncytial-virus-rsvvaccination-for-older-adults or speak to your practice nurse, GP or health team.

From 1st September 2024, pregnant women can have a free vaccine in each pregnancy, to protect their babies against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). RSV is a common virus which can cause a lung infection called bronchiolitis. In small babies this condition can make it hard to breathe and to feed.

For more information on how the RSV vaccination can protect your baby, please visit A guide to RSV vaccination for pregnant women - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) or speak to your midwife, maternity service or GP practice.

Leiston Surgery is pleased to welcome a new partner who will be joining our team.

Dr Daniel Jones will be joining us on 2nd September 2024 working on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

We have introduced a new telephone system called 'GP Voice', a cloud based telephone system that is designed to greatly improve patient experience at the practice during the very busy times.

GP Voice allows callers the option to either stay in their position in the call queue, or have the system call them back when they get to the front of the queue to avoid patients having to wait for lengthy times on the line.

We have also introduced a designated line for appointment cancellations, we hope this will improve appointment availability by reducing the number of patients who do not attend their booked appointments.

We hope that this new system will improve our booking process and reduce wait times on the phones, therefore improving patient experience.

Unfortunately due to strict medication storage regulations we regret to inform you that we are stopping our prescription collection service from Westleton Post Office as of 1st June 2024.

Following this date you will be able to collect your medication from either our Yoxford branch surgery, or the main surgery in Leiston which are open the following days/times

Yoxford Surgery: Monday and Fridays 10:00am-12:00pm

Leiston Surgery: Monday through to Friday 8:00am-6:30pm

We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and would like to thank you in advance for your understanding.

Your GP, nurse or pharmacist will not generally give you a prescription for certain medicines that are available to buy in a pharmacy or supermarket, even if you qualify for free prescriptions. This applies to treatments for these conditions:

• Acute sore throat
• Minor burns and scalds
• Conjunctivitis
• Mild cystitis
• Coughs, colds and nasal congestion
• Mild dry skin
• Cradle cap
• Mild irritant dermatitis
• Dandruff
• Mild to moderate hay fever
• Diarrhoea (adults)
• Dry eyes / sore tired eyes
• Mouth ulcers
• Earwax
• Nappy rash
• Excessive sweating
• Infant colic
• Sunburn
• Infrequent cold sores of the lip
• Sun protection
• Infrequent constipation
• Teething / mild toothache
• Infrequent migraine
• Threadworms
• Insect bites and stings
• Travel sickness
• Mild acne
• Warts and verrucae
• Haemorrhoids
• Oral thrush
• Head lice
• Prevention of tooth decay
• Indigestion and heartburn
• Ringworm / athletes foot
• Minor pain, discomfort and fever (e.g. aches and sprains, headache, period pain, back pain)

Like many surgeries across the country, we are struggling to recruit GPs and at times our staff can only treat medical emergencies during the week.

However, we can offer evening and weekend appointments which are covered by colleagues who work across the county to provide this out-of-hours service.

Appointments are available from 6.30pm – 8.00pm Monday to Friday and 9.00am – 5.00pm on Saturdays.

To book an appointment during these times, please call the surgery on 01728 830526.

Appointments are available with practice nurses, nurse prescribers and doctors.

Home visits can also be arranged. 

All appointments are face-to-face and will be offered at the following sites:

• Wickham Market
• Ipswich
• Felixstowe
• Eye