National Data Opt-Out Programme
NHS Digital is developing a new system to support the national data opt-out which will give patients more control over how confidential patient information is used. The system will offer patients and the public the opportunity to make an informed choice about whether they wish their confidential patient information to be used just for their individual care and treatment or also used for research and planning purposes.
Patients and the public who decide they do not want their confidential patient information used for planning and research purposes will be able to set their national data opt-out choice online.
And if you would like to opt-out, you can follow the process using the link below;
Segmentation is a simple way of categorising patients based on their specific health needs. It helps us as a practice understand the individual needs of our patients based on their health and wellbeing to support personalised care and ensures you get the right support in a timely way.
John Hopkins Adjusted Clinical Groups (ACG) – Patient Need Groups (PNG)

Segmentation is part of the TVS Care Record platform – learn more about the TVS Care Record here.
What is segmentation?
We use segmentation to group people based on shared characteristics, needs, or behaviours. This allows us to tailor care delivery and policies to better meet the specific needs of each group. When we do this for all groups we get healthier people and a healthier population.
What are the John Hopkins Adjusted Clinical Groups?
In Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West Integrated Care Board (BOB ICB) we use a well tested set of 11 segments/groups based on research by John Hopkins University. These are in the image above. Factors used for grouping include the number of conditions a person and how severe they are. This helps us decide what level of support they might need.
The categories break down into:
- Low need (PNG 1-4) (Green): Individuals without significant health issues who need less intervention. Preventative care may stop them becoming unwell.
- Moderate need (PNG 5-9) (Orange): Individuals who have a condition that is well managed. They may need occasional support to remain stable.
- High need (PNG 10-11) (Red): Individuals who have several conditions. They may need regular monitoring or a more coordinated approach.
You may have seen this score in your NHS APP as “John Hopkins Adjusted Clinical Groups (ACG) system score”.
How do we do segmentation?
- Data Collection: The process begins with collecting data from various sources. In BOB, segmentation is part of the same platform as the TVS Care Record and uses the same data.
- Identifying Segments: The TVS Care Record platform runs the John Hopkins algorithm. This groups people into the 11 segments listed above. It uses information like what conditions a person has and how often they see a doctor.
- Analysis Tools. Health and care staff use tools to identify groups with different needs. We use the 11 segments plus other factors and expert input to determine which these groups are. We may do this for everyone in our area, a group of GP surgeries or within one GP surgery. In BOB, this uses the tools provided by the TVS Care Record platform.
- Intervention. We can use this analysis in one of three ways. The first is to provide active treatment to the selected group (e.g. inviting them for a blood pressure check up). The second is to change how we work for that group (e.g. longer appointments for more complex patients). The third is to change the services we provide (e.g. increasing the number of specialist nurses in a certain area).
What are the benefits of segmentation?
- Personalised Care. By understanding the needs of each group better, we can personalise care to those people. This leads to improved health outcomes and patient satisfaction.
- Resource Allocation. By using the best treatment for each group it helps us make best use of our money and staff. It also means we can direct people to the right place first time.
- Improved Health Outcomes. We can better identify those who need early interventions or tailored care plans. This leads to improved health outcomes, particularly for patients with chronic conditions.
- Preventative Care. We can identify people who may need treatment before issues occur. By preventing complications, we can keep people healthier for longer.
If you think you, your child or another family member may have coronavirus please go to the NHS website using the link below to check symptoms and follow the advice given by them.
PLEASE DO NOT CALL THE SURGERY
PLEASE BE AWARE THAT WE ARE UNABLE TO TEST PATIENTS FOR COVID-19 OR SUPPLY TESTING KITS. PLEASE GO TO:
Coronavirus - Update
IMPROVED ACCESS TO GP APPOINTMENTS
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Local GPs are working together to offer patients better access to appointments in General Practice in Buckinghamshire, known as the ‘Improved Access’ Service. This means that you can now book an appointment in a practice local to you:
- Up until 8pm from Monday to Friday
- From 8am until 1pm on Saturday
- From 9am until 1pm on Sunday (at one of the three FedBucks Improved Access Hubs located across the county)
North Aylesbury Improved Access GP Surgeries
Patients registered with any GP Surgery within North Aylesbury will be able to access this service via the participating surgeries in their area. These surgeries are:
- The Swan Practice
- Norden House Surgery
- Ashcroft Surgery
- Edlesborough Surgery
- Wing Surgery
All appointments need to be pre-booked, either in advance or on the day.
How to book an Improved Access appointment
Ring your GP Surgery as normal. If you would like an Improved Access appointment, the reception staff will tell you where clinics are being held on what day, and the times of the available appointments. A convenient appointment will be booked for you. If you use this service, it is very likely that you will be seen by a clinician from another surgery and not your own GP. The receptionist at your GP surgery will be able to provide details on this service to help you book an appointment.
THIS IS NOT A WALK IN SERVICE – if you need urgent medical advice after 6.30pm, please phone NHS 111. NHS 111 will enable you to talk to a GP and book an urgent GP appointment if necessary. You can also use our local online symptom checker, Health Help Now (http://bucks.healthhelpnow.nhs.uk/) to help to find the right service in Buckinghamshire for your health needs.
WALK IN APPOINTMENTS
We have recently had an increase in patients coming into the surgery and expecting to be seen without an appointment.
Unfortunately as we are not a Walk-In Centre, patients can only be seen if an advance appointment has been made.
You should go to the Urgent Care Centre if you have an INJURY such as a possible FRACTURE, or new WOUNDS e.g. from injury or animal bite that may need washing out and/or dressing as they are set up to assess and treat these.
The nearest Walk-In Centre is Milton Keynes Hospital Urgent Care Centre
PRIVACY NOTICE - See our section covering this topic
TEXT MESSAGE REMINDER SERVICE
We are now using a text message service to send patients a reminder of their appointment.
Please could you check with Reception that we have your correct mobile telephone number.
If you do not want to receive a reminder by text please let our Reception staff know.
MISSED APPOINTMENTS
An average of 2 appointments are wasted EACH DAY by patients who do not turn up.
If you are unable to make your appointment please make sure you let our Receptionists know as soon as possible so the appointment can be offered to another patient.
ACCESS TO MEDICAL RECORDS
NHS England’s Patient Online Programme ‘Improving patient experience’ - access to medical records
In response to NHS England’s Patient Online Programme ‘Improving patient experience', from the 31st March 2016 you will be able to view your medical record online. If you already have access to online services i.e. booking appointments and ordering repeat medication, you may now also see other aspects of your medical record - medication, allergies and adverse reactions, test results, list of medical problems and consultation dates.
If you would like access to your medical record please see our online services page for details on how to request this.
ALLOCATED GP
All patients are allocated a named GP.
If you wish to know who your allocated GP is please contact Reception
Ashcroft Surgery patients are always welcome to book appointments with any available GP and are not restricted only to their allocated GP.
VETERAN FRIENDLY
Ashcroft has received Veteran Friendly Accreditation. This Veteran Friendly Accreditation scheme is a voluntary services that provides information and support to veterans of the UK Armed Forces. We can if necessary we can refer veterans to specific NHS services such as Op COURAGE - a dedicated mental health and wellbeing service, as well as provide links/newsletters for veterans on services and support in the community.
If you are a veteran and would like to receive information on services available to you, please let us know by letting a member of our reception team know you are a veteran.