We recognise that access to appointments is important to our patients and we have decided to launch a new appointment booking system called 'Rapid Health' which goes live on 11^th March 2025.

What is Rapid Health?

Rapid Health is a new NHS approved Artificial Intelligence triage tool designed to help you book and manage GP and ANP appointments with us. It is simple to use and provides a quick and efficient way to access the care you need.

To use this new system, you need to ensure you have registered your email address with the practice. This can be done through the NHS App or by emailing us at:

castlemedicalgroup.noreply@nhs.net

Please note: that appointments with our pharmacists, nurses and healthcare assistants can still be booked by ringing the practice on: 01530 414131. 

To find out more about the new Rapid Health booking system, or FAQs please click here. 

Rapid Health - Appointment Booking System

I want to thank all of the patients of Ashby and surrounding areas past and present who have made me so welcome in this beautiful historic market town since I first came to work here in 1997. I have lived in Ashby for 24 years and raised a family so I feel like I belong here now.

Thank you for the kind words that have been spoken over the last few months by the thousands of patients that I have seen in that time. Your words touched me and they will stay with me. You have spoken positively about me and the Practice of which I am so proud.

Thank you also to those who have sent cards with equally moving comments and some of which have brought me to tears as I remember those times in the past that we have spent together for many different reasons.

I have received gifts as well, some of them rather amusing (you know who you are!). This was all so kind and thoughtful.

It has been a privilege to care for the people of Ashby. You have let me into your hearts and lives and for some families I have cared for 3 and even 4 generations and got to know you rather well. This is truly Family Medicine! It’s been amazing!

I leave you in the capable hands of Castle Medical Group from which I have now stepped away.

These are challenging times in the NHS and I can assure you that the team at Castle Medical Group do and will continue to do their best for you all under immense challenges.

So, I now move on to the next chapter of my life. Singing will be a big part with Gresley Male Voice Choir where we entertain and also raise money for charities. I also hope to do some traveling in the UK and abroad and spend more time with my family and dogs.

I will always remember fondly my time as a GP in Ashby and will always carry this time of my life in my heart ❤️.

Dr Addison (John) - Retired GP

As a practice we frequently monitor what is happening with building developments in Ashby.

As Ashby grows so does our practice population and as part of our planning, we are continually reviewing what we need to do to maintain our patient services and what we anticipate we will need in the future.

We are keen to develop the premises, but unfortunately as a practice we cannot just make the decision ourselves to expand and this does need official sign off.

Since 2019 we have been going through this process with the landlords and the Integrated Care Board (was Clinical Commissioning Group) and we are working with them to get to a position where our plans are approved.

Ascebi House was designed with expansion in mind and we have an area on the first floor that is an empty void. This space is ready for development and we have plans already drawn up for this to be turned into consulting and admin space, which have been agreed with the landlord (please see plans, still subject to change).

In addition to this the landlords have purchased the area of land between the practice and Springfields. The intention is that this will be turned into car parking in the future too (please see plans, still subject to change). 

At this stage we don’t have timescales for when this work will start, but we are really excited about what we have planned and how this will allow us to expand our services.

Once we have more information about when work can start, we will share updates.

To ensure that we provide a good quality experience for our patients, we ask that when you book an appointment it is for one problem only. This also applies to our 'sit and wait' service.

If you need to discuss a second problem, please book an additional appointment. This will help us to be able to give you adequate time to discuss your problem and consult safely with you. 

Call us on: 01530 414131

The prescribing of gluten-free foods in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland (LLR) is ending from 1st February 2025.

The LLR Integrated Care Board (ICB), the organisation that plans local NHS services, took the decision at its meeting on 12th December 2024, following a lengthy consultation process including discussions with patient representative groups and clinicians including GPs, dietitians and pharmacists.

You can read more about the changes on the local NHS website: Gluten-free foods prescribing - LLR ICB

Where you can find out more

For further information about the changes to the prescribing of Gluten-free products and the support available please visit the local NHS website: Gluten-free foods prescribing - LLR ICB

In addition to find out more about Coeliac Disease and how to manage symptoms, please visit: www.nhs.uk/conditions/coeliac-disease/www.nhs.uk/conditions/Coeliac-disease

There is a lot of information on the Coeliac UK website at www.coeliac.org.uk that you can access if you want advice about your diet including:

• Home of Gluten free recipes
• Diet and health workshops
• Food and drink information
• Gluten-free food on a budget

The Association of UK Dietitians also have a range of support and information - www.bda.uk.com/resource/coeliac-disease-and-Gluten-free-diet.html

The BBC Good Food website also contains top 10 tips for a gluten free diet: www.bbcgoodfood.com/health/special-diets/top-10-tips-gluten-free-diet      

Patient Webinars are also available to view on Overview of Coeliac Disease - patientwebinars.co.uk

There is local advice and support available on the cost of living from local authorities:

• Leicester City Council - Household support fund
• Leicestershire County Council - Cost of living support
• Rutland County Council - Cost of living support

If you require specific advice, please ask your GP if you can be referred to a dietitian. If you have a general enquiry about the changes, you can:

• Email: llricb-llr.beinvolved@nhs.net
• Telephone: 0116 295 3405
• Write: Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Integrated Care Board, Room G30, Pen Lloyd Building, Leicestershire County Council, Leicester Road, Glenfield, Leicester LE3 8TB

There is nothing more important to us than you, our patients.

No matter how many hours we work, we still can't see all the patients that need our care.

We believe GP practices deserve more funding, so we can expand our team, deliver the services you require and make it easier for you to get an appointment. 

Please find below some simple facts:

GP practice funding has reduced over the last 5 years by £660 million.

We get £107.57 per patient per year, equates to 30p per day (less than the cost of an apple).

Please find below some simple facts:

• There are 6 million more patients on the books
• GPs carry out 400 million annual appointments
• 90% of NHS contact is primary care

If you would like more information on how you can support us, please visit:

www.rebuildgp.co.uk/for-our-patients

www.bma.org.uk/gpsonyourside

https://youtu.be/Tds7ML2OfY8

We like to keep our patients up to date with current news from the practice.

You can view the most recent copies of the Castle Medical Group Newsletter by clicking on the links below: 

November 2024

October 2024

August 2024

You can view the most recent copies of the NWL GP Federation Newsletter by clicking on the links below:

January 2025

October 2024

April 2024

January 2024