A "birth month recall system" is used by many GP practices in the UK to remind patients with long-term conditions to book their annual reviews during their birthday month. This aims to make it easier for patients to remember their appointments, improve efficiency, and ensure consistent monitoring of their conditions.

​

Here's how it generally works:

​​

1. Invitation:

Patients receive an invitation to book their annual review during their birth month, usually by email, text, or call.

 

2. Booking:

Patients contact the practice to book their appointment, and reception staff will identify the necessary appointments and tests.

 

3. Combined Reviews:

This system often encourages consolidating multiple tests and checks into a single appointment, minimising the number of visits for patients.

 

4. Benefits:

It aims to make the appointment booking process simpler and easier to remember for patients.

 

 

We are recalling our patients with a long term condition based on their month of birth. This may vary from patient to patient depending on when you last attended for your annual review. We would encourage you to attend these reviews.

​

You may receive two text message invitations one at the beginning of the month on your birthday month and the second invitation near the end of your birthday month, if you fall in to one of the following categories:

 

• Asthma

• Atrial Fibrillation

• Cholesterol

• Chronic Heart Disease

• Chronic Kidney Disease

• COPD

• Diabetes

• Heart Failure

• Hypertension

• Non Diabetic Hyperglycaemia (Pre-diabetes)

• Peripheral Arterial Disease

• Stroke/TIA

 

We will recall you separately if you are in one of these groups:

• Dementia

• Learning Disability

• Mental Health

 

You have the option to decline a review, but you will receive a second invitation before you are removed from recall for that year. If you wish to be removed from the recall system sooner, you will need to discuss this with a clinician first.

 

IT IS VERY IMPORTANT YOU ATTEND FOR AN ANNUAL REVIEW OF YOUR CONDITION SO WE WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU ATTEND THESE APPOINTMENTS AND NOT DECLINE.

 

 

If you feel you do not have any of the above conditions, please let us know so we can review your medical records. Sometimes information that comes over from a previous practice may not match up correctly onto our system.

​

It is important to keep us informed of any up-to-date contact details as the recall invitations will go out by AccuRx text messaging service. If you do not wish to receive correspondence in this way, please let us know as we can update your records to stop this.

​

Thank you for your help and we hope this ensures all patients have a regular yearly review regarding their Chronic Disease and any review any medications you may be taking for this condition. This review may require you to have blood tests taken and you can also discuss any concerns you have.

​

You are welcome to bring a carer with you to these appointments.

​

​

​

GP Review Types and what to expect

​

We are now aligning annual reviews with your birth month. You will be contacted via email, text or phone call at the beginning of the month that your condition review is due. The message will include any actions you need to take to complete your review.

​

Asthma

• 20 minute appointment with a nurse annually. The appointment will involve a questionnaire and a discussion about inhaler technique, a peak flow test, how to manage your exacerbation's and your care plan.

 

​

COPD

• 20 minute appointment with a nurse annually if symptoms are not controlled. The appointment will involve a questionnaire to help identify how often your COPD flares up and your level of breathlessness to help optimise your treatment. If symptoms are well controlled with your current treatment then a face-to-face appointment is not necessary.

 

​

Pre-diabetes (Non-Diabetic Hyperglycaemia)

• Annual blood test to check your HbA1c (blood sugar levels).

• Any abnormal results will be followed up.

 

​

Diabetes

• Blood test every 6 months to check your HbA1c (blood sugar levels). The result will then be review by a doctor and you may be asked to attend an appointment to discuss the result.

• Annual reviews consist of two step. The first part will be a 20 minute appointment with the nurse. This appointment will include a foot check, blood pressure measurement and HbA1c blood test.

• The second part with be a 20 minute appointment with the Nurse Practitioner to discuss results and any adjustments that may be made with your medication.

 

Hypertension

• Annual blood pressure reading.

• Annual blood test to check your kidney function, liver function and cholesterol levels.

​

​

Coronary Heart Disease

• Annual blood pressure reading.

• Annual blood test to check your kidney function, liver function and cholesterol levels.

​

Peripheral Artery Disease

• Annual blood test to check your kidney function, liver function and cholesterol levels.​

​​​

​

Atrial Fibrillation

• Annual blood test to check your kidney function, liver function and cholesterol levels.

• Height and weight measurements to allow your kidney function to be measured.

• Review of your stroke risk (CHA2DS2-VASc score).

​​​

Heart Failure

• Annual blood test. This will be a full blood count and kidney function check and a discussion about your breathing.

​

Chronic Kidney Disease

• Annual blood test to check kidney function.

• Early morning urine sample.

​

Stroke / TIA

• Annual blood pressure reading.

• Annual blood test to check your cholesterol levels.

​​

Hypothyroidism

• Annual blood test for TSH levels.

• Any abnormal results will be followed up.

​

Severe Mental Illness

• 20 minute appointment with a Nurse annually. This usually involves a physical health check including a blood test, height, weight and a quick questionnaire. Then an appointment a week later with a GP to discuss a care plan agreement.​

​

Our clinical pharmacy technician undertakes medication reviews at the end of your birth month

​​​

Annual Medication Review (for everyone taking regular medication)

• Most people will be sent a questionnaire to complete via email or text. Following completion of this, you will be advised if any next steps are required.

• Those who cannot be contacted by email or text will receive a call from the reception team.

• Your review date will align with your birth month. It will also be highlighted at the bottom of your medication repeat slip.

• If your medication review is overdue, you will be asked to make contact yourself via the website.