Media Releases
Click on any title below to read the full media release.
If you require a release that is not listed in this section, it can be obtained by contacting our communications team. Please email your request to: communications@bexley.nhs.uk.
For all other media enquiries, please contact the Bexley Care Trust Communications Team on 020 8298 6121.
Bexley GP practice stalwart retires after nearly 50 years
Friday 27 April 2012, PR132
Vera Calvert, who worked as a receptionist, practice manager and administrator for the largest GP practice in Bexley, has retired after 48 years of service.
Chance to nominate Bexley’s top GP receptionist
Monday 16 April 2012, PR131
A bid to find the borough’s most welcoming and helpful front-of-house practice staff is underway as part of the GP receptionist of the year awards.
Bexley patient group praised for achievements
Tuesday 10 April 2012, PR130
A patient group in Bexley was praised for its achievements by local MP David Evennett at a recent awards ceremony.
Stop smoking ‘flash mob’ hits Bexleyheath
Thursday 8 March 2012, PR129
Hundreds of shoppers in Bexleyheath got a surprise on Saturday as a ‘flash mob’ of dancers struck – encouraging people to dance, get fit and quit smoking.
Bexley patients first in London to get electronic prescriptions
Wednesday 7 March 2012, PR128
Bexley is the first borough in London and second in the country to introduce an Electronic Prescription Service (EPS), which means doctors can send repeat prescriptions electronically to the place patients choose to collect medicines and appliances from.
Local doctors encourage residents to ‘love their heart’ by quitting smoking this Valentine’s Day
Monday 13 February 2012, PR127
Doctors in the borough are giving patients heart-shaped cards which include details of Bexley’s Stop Smoking service as a way of encouraging patients to give up smoking this Valentine’s Day.
Get checked, get treated and protect yourself from cervical cancer
Monday 23 January 2012, PR126
The start of a new year is a good time to take a fresh look at your health and wellbeing, and if you are a woman living or working in Bexley, it is also an opportunity to make sure that you are doing enough to protect yourself from cervical cancer.
Healthcare professionals encourage residents to choose well this winter
Tuesday 13 December 2011, PR 125
Doctors, nurses, pharmacists and paramedics from Bexley got together on Tuesday (12 December) to launch a campaign encouraging local people to choose the right place to get NHS treatment when they are ill.
Ten-year celebration for patient participation group
Wednesday 7 December 2011, PR 124
Patients belonging to Crook Log doctors’ surgery in Bexleyheath celebrated ten years of supporting and representing its 9,000 registered patients on Saturday 3 December by holding a special event.
Older people’s get-together proves a hit
Tuesday 29 November 2011, PR 123
Around 130 people attended an older people’s day on Friday 18 November, giving local people the chance to reminisce about their wartime experiences, while accessing information from their local authority and healthcare providers.
Bexley Clinical Cabinet Chair appointed to influential Pharmacy and Public Health Forum
Thursday 3 November 2011, PR 121
Bexley Clinical Cabinet Chair Dr Howard Stoate has been appointed to the Pharmacy and Public Health Forum.
The forum is to provide leadership for the development, implementation and evaluation of pharmacists’ role in public health in the light of the government’s health and social care bill.
Westminster debate on public health in Bexley
Monday 31 October, PR 122
Services aimed at improving people’s health in Bexley were praised at a debate at Westminster Hall on Wednesday (26 October).
Next stage complete in plans for QMS
Friday 28 October, PR-120
Proposals for services for a Health and Wellbeing Campus at Queen Mary’s, Sidcup have been submitted to NHS London.
Bexley’s award-winning stop smoking team to launch a Saturday service in Bexleyheath town centre
Tuesday 12 October 2011 PR-119
A specialist-led, stop smoking clinic targeting shoppers will be launched in Bexleyheath town centre on Saturday (15 October).
Get the jab, get flu safe
Wednesday 5 October 2011 PR-118
As the autumn sets in and winter approaches, it’s time for those at greatest risk from flu to protect themselves and their families, and get flu safe with a free flu jab.
Bexley Patient Council to support local GPs
Wednesday 5 October 2011 PR-117
Bexley Patient Council has met for the first time, to begin to establish its support for GPs in the borough as they take on full financial and decision-making responsibility for local health services.
GPs get together to plan future healthcare in Bexley
Wednesday 5 October 2011 PR-116
More than 80 GPs, practice managers and nurse practitioners met for the third time this year, as part of Bexley Clinical Cabinet’s plans to take on responsibility for healthcare in the borough.
Bexley Care Trust’s Annual General Meeting
Tuesday 4 October 2011 PR-115
More than fifty residents, GPs, voluntary organisation representatives, local authority staff and NHS trust staff attended Bexley Care Trust’s annual general meeting on Tuesday 27 September to hear more about the future of local health services, learn about recent developments and take part in discussions on healthcare.
GP receptionist of the year – the results
Monday 3 October PR-114
Bexley’s ‘GP receptionist of the year’ was named on Thursday (29 September), in an annual ceremony celebrating the hard work of local doctors’ receptionists.
Bexley’s award-winning stop smoking team to launch new quitters service
Wednesday 10 August PR-113
A specialist-led, stop smoking clinic available to Bexley residents will be unveiled at Welling Library on Monday 15 August.
Boris visits pioneering GP practice
Wednesday 3 August PR-112
London Mayor Boris Johnson visited a successful GP practice in Bexleyheath on Thursday (21 July) to open officially the surgery’s extension and hear more about Bexley’s innovative cardiology scheme.
Bexley’s stop smoking team praised in the House of Commons
Friday 22 July PR-111
David Evennett MP has praised Bexley’s stop smoking service for helping more than 1,600 people give up smoking in the last year.
Last chance to nominate Bexley’s GP receptionist of the year
Friday 22 July PR-110
More than 150 nomination forms have already been submitted for Bexley’s annual awards ceremony – GP receptionist of the year – which recognises the borough’s most welcoming and helpful front of house staff.
GPs get together to plan future healthcare in Bexley
Wednesday 15 June 2011 PR-109
More than 100 GPs got together last week to establish how best to deliver high-quality health services to people in the borough.
Bexley launches London’s first patient council
Wednesday 15 June 2011 PR-108
More than 50 residents and patients attended Bexley’s first patient council meeting, which gives local people the opportunity to influence the way health services are provided in the borough.
The NHS in Bexley encourages parents to vaccinate children following a rise in the number of measles cases
Friday 27 May 2011 PR-107
The NHS in Bexley is encouraging parents to protect their children against measles by having the MMR vaccine, after the Health Protection Agency reported an increase in the number of measles cases.
Electronic Prescription Service for Bexley
Thursday 26 May 2011 PR-106
An Electronic Prescription Service (EPS) is being launched in Bexley, with a pilot scheme that could transform the way patients pick up their medication.
Schoolchildren from Bexleyheath learn more about healthcare in Bexley
Wednesday 25 May 2011 PR-105
Young people from Bexleyheath School attended an event on Tuesday 10 May, coordinated by Bexley Business Support Unit’s patient engagement team and Bexley Healthy Schools, to learn more about healthcare in the borough.
Bexley residents encouraged to volunteer for local NHS bowel cancer campaign
Monday 17 May 2011 PR-104
If you live in Bexley and have some spare time to give to a good cause, then NHS South East London is inviting you to take part in a campaign which could help to save lives across the borough.
Health Minister visits Slade Green surgery
Friday 13 May 2011 PR-103
Health Minister Lord Howe today visited Slade Green Medical Centre in Kent to formally open an extension which allows the surgery to improve its services, with more GPs and nursing staff.
Bexley GPs encourage residents to choose well this Easter
Tuesday 19 April 2011 PR-102
Bexley GPs are encouraging residents to choose the most appropriate healthcare service if unwell this Easter. By choosing well, residents will receive the right treatment fast, leaving emergency services to those who need them most.
Good progress for plans for new services at Queen Mary’s, Sidcup
Tuesday 5 April 2011 PR-101
Plans for new services at Queen Mary’s, Sidcup have been put forward by local GPs and the London Borough of Bexley. The proposals will now be examined by NHS London in the next stage of the process to provide high-quality services and meet the changing needs of people in Bexley.
Upgraded Crayford Town Surgery opens for patients
Thursday 31 March 2011 PR-100
Crayford Town Surgery in Crayford Road officially opened on Friday 25 March, heralding a much-improved service for patients.
Bexley Care Trust uploads nearly 200,000 Summary Care Records
Friday 18 March 2011 PR-099
Bexley Care Trust has been ranked top in London and second in England for successfully uploading 82% of its patients’ summary care records.
Free theatre production for Bexley residents – raising awareness of bowel cancer
Wednesday 16 March 2011 PR-098
Bexley residents are invited to attend a free theatre production which aims to raise awareness of bowel cancer.
GPs get together to plan future healthcare in Bexley
Thursday 10 March 2011 PR-097
More than 100 GPs got together last week to establish how best to deliver high-quality health services to people in the borough.
Bexley Care Trust Chair named Non-Executive Director of the Year
Wednesday 9 March 2011 PR-096
Bexley Care Trust’s Chair Barbara Scott was named non-executive director of the year in the not-for-profit sector at the annual NED of the Year awards.
A good time to quit in Bexley
24 February 2011 PR-095
There’s more support than ever before to give up smoking - so why not take the opportunity on No Smoking Day.
Prescriptions to be delivered to your door in Bexley
23 February 2011 PR-094
People in Bexley will soon be able to have prescriptions from their pharmacy delivered to their door in an innovative scheme that is the first of its kind in the country
GPs vote for cabinet members in ‘consortia’ election
16 December 2010 PR-093
Members of a forerunner for GP consortia outlined in the government’s NHS White Paper have been elected in a vote by GPs in Bexley.
It’s not too late to get your annual flu jab
15 December 2010 PR-092
Bexley Care Trust is encouraging residents at risk of seasonal flu to protect themselves by getting their annual free flu jab, as part of the Keep Warm Keep Well campaign, which is encouraging residents to choose the right services if they become unwell this winter.
Older people’s get-together proves a hit
14 December 2010 PR-091
More than 100 people attended an older people’s day organised by Bexley Care Trust on Friday 10 December, giving people in Bexley the chance to reminisce about their wartime experiences, while accessing information from their local authority and healthcare providers.
GPs to lead health service changes announced after Health Secretary visits Bexley
8 December 2010 PR-090
Health Secretary Andrew Lansley visited Bexley on Wednesday 8 December to announce the first groups of GPs to lead far-reaching changes in the NHS aimed at cutting bureaucracy and improving services.
Bexley’s cardiology service wins three national awards
30 November 2010 PR-089
Bexley’s Primary Care Chest Pain Clinic – which sees patients travel from the borough to Harley Street for world-class cardiology care – recently won three prestigious national awards.
Bexley Care Trust’s Healthy Schools team packs a healthy lunch
22 September 2010 PR-0083
Seven schools in Bexley are working with Bexley Care Trust’s Healthy Schools team to introduce the Parents’ Education and Children’s Health project (PEACH), which encourages parents, carers and young people to eat affordable, healthy packed lunches.
Future Health in Bexley – Bexley Care Trust’s Annual General Meeting
16 September 2010 PR-0082
People in the borough are invited to attend Bexley Care Trust’s Annual General Meeting, to hear more about the future of local health services, learn about recent developments and take part in discussions on healthcare.
Appointments to Bexley Care Trust Board
20 August 2010 PR-0081
Two new non-executive directors have been appointed at Bexley Care Trust. The appointment of Cllr John Davey and Cllr Eileen Pallen from the London Borough of Bexley has been agreed by the Appointments Commission.
Have your say in local healthcare
10 August 2010 PR-0076
People in Bexley are getting the opportunity to join a membership scheme –
giving them a say in the way local health services are run.
The scheme – called Your Health Matters – gives people the chance to attend
events, conferences and open days, as well as receive text messages and
email alerts, get the latest news on changes to health services, complete
surveys and give feedback.
Parents encouraged to protect children from measles following outbreak in Bexley
4 August 2010 PR-0079
The Health Protection Agency and Bexley Care Trust are encouraging
parents to protect their children against measles by having the MMR vaccine,
following a recent outbreak in the Bexley area.
Changes to the way community health
services are run
30 June 2010 PR-0078
Bexley Care Trust is changing the way it runs community health care services, such as district nursing, health visiting and therapies.
Revolutionary system for healthcare in patients’ homes
29 June 2010 PR-0077
A revolutionary piece of equipment is being introduced in Bexley to help patients manage their healthcare at home.
GP receptionist of the year awards
21 June 2010 PR-0075
Bexley’s ‘GP receptionist of the year’ was named on Thursday 17 June, in an annual ceremony celebrating the hard work of local doctors’ receptionists.
Bexley celebrates health trainers
21 June 2010 PR-0074
Five local people scooped awards for their efforts to help people become healthier and happier in Bexley at a ceremony praising the work of health trainers last week.
First birthday celebration for Sidcup Baby Café
15 June 2010 PR-0073
Bexley Mayor Clr Val Clark joins Bexley Care Trust staff and Sidcup Childrens Centre to celebrate the baby cafe first birthday.More than 200 expectant and pregnant mothers have visited Sidcup's baby cafe for information support and advice about breastfeeding.
Local youngsters get together for National Smile month
04 June 2010 PR-0072
Around 160 children from schools across Bexley aged 6 to 13 recently got together, to celebrate National Smile Month and learn more about good dental health.
One hundred residents take advantage of the Bexley health trainer service
20 April 2010 PR-0070
One hundred residents are benefitting from the support and one-to-one confidential service of a Bexley health trainer. The Bexley health trainers’ programme is a free-of-charge NHS service funded by Bexley Care Trust, working in partnership with local organisations. Health trainers are specially trained volunteers, helping to make changes in people’s everyday lives.
GP receptionist of the year
13 April 2010 PR-0069
Bexley patients are being encouraged to nominate their GP receptionist, in a bid to find the borough’s most welcoming and helpful front-of-house staff member, as part of Bexley Care Trust’s annual award ceremony, ‘GP receptionist of the Year.
Bexley Care Trust’s provider unit registered under new system for monitoring standards
01 April 2010 PR-0068
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has given Bexley Care Trust's provider unit an unqualified license to provide services, under a new tougher system for regulating standards in the NHS. The unit - which runs community healthcare services such as district nursing, health visiting, therapies, residential rehabilitation services and the Urgent Care Centre - met all the requirements on safety and quality of care.Summary Care Records launched in Bexley
Summary Care Records launched in Bexley
5 February 2010 PR-0062
Summary Care Records (SCR) containing key medical information, which will be accessible wherever patients are treated, is being rolled out in Bexley as part of a London-wide Public Information Programme (PIP).
A Summary Care Record is a secure electronic summary of core information such as medications, allergies, adverse reactions and key health information.
Making the New Year smoke free
8 January 2010 PR-0058
For the many people who made quitting smoking their New Year's resolution, the Bexley Care Trust can help with its successful free stop smoking service.
"If you are ready to quit, we can help," explains Jo Woodvine, Manager of the Bexley NHS Stop Smoking Service.
Pioneering schemes improving health in Bexley schools
29 January 2010 PR-0060
An event is being held on Tuesday 2 February to celebrate great improvements in children's health in Bexley, with all schools in the borough maintaining National Healthy Schools Status. More than 100 teachers, pupils and delegates from many other organisations are to attend the event, celebrating some of the most innovative work in the country.
Bexley residents urged to get seasonal flu jab
23 January 2010 PR-0053
Free vaccinations against seasonal flu are available for Bexley residents aged 65 and over - and for adults and children in certain risk categories - from October 2009. Everyone aged 65 and over is routinely offered the jab, as are younger people with long-term conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, serious kidney and liver disease.
