The group would like to contact patients on occasion by email and/or text so that they can obtain the views of the widest group of patients possible. We would like to obtain your email address and mobile phone number to do this. Please complete the Patient Contact Form to provide your consent for this.

Village Directory September 2025

 Holmes Chapel Health Centre Patient Panel Group Update

The Holmes Chapel Health Centre (HCHC) has had a busy few months and we would like to share some key updates with patients and the wider community.

New Faces in the Dispensary
We are pleased to welcome two new members of staff to our dispensing team. As demand for services grows, additional support in the dispensary ensures that we can continue to provide an efficient, safe, and friendly service to patients collecting their prescriptions. Our new staff are already making a positive impact, and we know patients will appreciate their professionalism and dedication.

Rising Demand and Triage Pressures
Over the past two months, the health centre has received more than 9,000 triage requests, making us the second busiest practice in the North West. This level of demand demonstrates the trust patients place in the centre, but it also underlines the significant pressures faced by both clinical and administrative teams.

Electronic Prescription Service (EPS) – Now for All Patients
We are delighted to confirm that the Electronic Prescription Service (EPS) is now running for all patients. This system streamlines the way prescriptions are managed, reducing paper use and speeding up the process. All patients can now track the status of their prescriptions directly through the NHS App, offering reassurance and convenience. EPS is already helping to improve efficiency for both patients and staff.

Strong Results in the Latest Patient Survey
The latest patient survey has once again highlighted the strengths of the health centre. 75% of patients rated their overall experience as good or very good, which is notably higher than the national average. In addition, 92% of patients reported that they have high trust and confidence in HCHC. These results reflect the ongoing hard work of all staff members and the positive relationships built with our local community.

Missed Appointments – A Call for Patient Support
Unfortunately, missed appointments remain a challenge. Last month alone there were 195 missed appointments, equating to more than 48 hours of wasted clinical time. This has a direct impact on waiting times and the ability of staff to see other patients who need care. We kindly remind patients to cancel appointments they no longer need—doing so helps everyone.

NHS App Help Session
For those who would like guidance in using the NHS App—for booking appointments, checking results, or tracking prescriptions—the next help session will be held on Wednesday 9 October, 10:00–12:00 at the health centre. Volunteers and staff will be on hand to offer practical support and answer questions.

The Patient Panel Group would like to thank all patients for their continued support and engagement. Together, with the hard work of the HCHC team, we continue to build a strong, responsive, and trusted health service for Holmes Chapel.

Justin Snell, Chair HCHC PPG