We use cookies to make this site work. We'd also like to set optional cookies so we can understand how the site is used and improve it. We will not set optional cookies unless you accept them. You can change your choice at any time from the Cookie settings link in the footer.
Strictly necessary cookies
These cookies are required for the site to work. They store your cookie preferences and keep your session secure. They are exempt from consent under PECR Regulation 6(4) because they are essential to deliver the service you have requested.
Optional cookies
Optional cookies help us understand how the site is used and provide additional features such as analytics, accessibility tools and translation. We will only set them if you accept.
Nightingale News - Spring 2026
The Nightingale Practice is troubled by ghosts
It's Halloween soon. A time of year when many people have a bit of fun with all things spooky. But nobody is laughing about ghosts at the Nightingale practice. Here we explain why.
The staff at the surgery are increasingly worried about what the NHS calls 'ghost patients' and we need your help.
A 'ghost patient' is someone who remains on the practice’s patient list despite having moved away from the area or no longer being one of our patients for any other reason.
Now there is a drive to update patient lists and get rid of all the so-called ghosts.
If you are a Nightingale patient, you may get a letter from NHS England or Primary Care Support England (PCSE). This is part of a routine process called 'list validation' or 'list cleansing'. It helps ensure that GPs' lists are up-to-date across the country.
This is important for you, so you can stay registered at the Nightingale and see your GP when you need to. It means you will continue to get important letters about screening and vaccinations. It also means our practice will get the correct level of funding from the Government to allow us to continue to care for you.
What you need to do
If you, or someone you care for, gets a letter, text or other message about 'list validation', please do not ignore it. Follow the instructions in the letter, confirm your details are correct and reply by the stated deadline. It’s easy!
Anyone over 100 years old will definitely get a letter, so if you have a relative or friend of this age, please encourage them to respond, or help them to do so.
What happens if I ignore this 'list validation' letter?
If you get a letter and you don’t respond, the authorities won't be able to confirm your details. This means they may remove your name from the Nightingale's list without you even knowing it - so you won’t be able to get a GP appointment until you re-register. You won't get important letters or medical recalls either.
Please don’t worry. If you have concerns about any letter or text you receive, you can contact the practice, and we will be happy to help you.
Thank you for your co-operation with this important piece of work.
You said, we did!
The Nightingale team tries, where possible, to act on your feedback and suggestions.
Recently, a patient filled in one of our suggestion forms to tell us the notice board and leaflet display in our reception area could be neater. So, we tidied up the board and bought some display racks!
That’s better! Thanks very much to the patient who took the time to fill in a suggestion form and prompted us to get our house in order.
Please keep on giving us feedback. We really want to hear from you.
Of course, we can’t do everything you want us to do. We don't have unlimited money. Also, some of the changes you want (like bringing back magazines into the waiting area) may be impossible because of modern infection control measures. But if we can't act on your suggestion, we will explain why.
Flu clinics will happen
It is too early to give you dates but, rest assured, the Nightingale will hold flu clinics as usual this autumn. Look out for information in Reception or ask the Receptionists. We will also send a text to patients with mobile numbers registered.
Celebrating our Friends and Family test results
During July 2026, our Friends and Family test results were encouraging and we were very pleased. During this reporting period, 61 patients completed the Friends and Family Test. Of these, 60 patients (98.4%) rated their experience of using the surgery as Good or Very Good, while just one patient (1.6%) rated their experience as Neither Good nor Poor. There were no negative responses, demonstrating a very high level of patient satisfaction with the service.
It takes a village to look after one person - getting to know our pharmacists
At the Nightingale, we don't just have doctors and nurses on our team of medical professionals. At the last 'Friends of the Nightingale' meeting clinical pharmacist Phoebe Akindulureni explained what she and her colleagues do to support both GPs and patients.
'Clinical pharmacist' is a relatively new position within a GP practice. But pharmacists play an increasingly important role. Did you know, you need to study at university for four years to become a pharmacist, followed by an additional year’s training?
Our pharmacy team are our medication experts. They help make sure your medication is safe and effective. They work with your healthcare team to personalise your medication plan, answer your questions and address any concerns you may have. They reduce medicines' waste and support patients with long-term conditions.
Some of our clinical pharmacists are qualified to prescribe medicines. From next year, all clinical pharmacists will be so-called 'Independents'. This means they will all be qualified to start patients on medications and/or change medications.
The Nightingale team is made up of four pharmacists and a pharmacy technician. They support our GPs with any questions they may have about the many different drugs that are available for prescription now. They also support patients with advice about medication.
Phoebe explained: "We aim to give drugs that are as safe as possible and that work in the best possible way for the patient."
If you are worried about your medication, you should contact a GP in the first instance. Our GP triage system will then allocate you to a pharmacist for a call back. Our pharmacists can also speak to carers, as well as patients.
Improving outcomes for patients and safety is key to a pharmacist’s job. As well as making sure people’s medications are right, they help to free up the GPs to talk to other patients about issues only a doctor can deal with.
In short, pharmacists provide a range of patient benefits. You can be assured you have the drugs that work best for you, easier access to medication expertise and, overall, a more personalised level of medicines support and care.
Friends of the Nightingale meetings - all welcome
Did you know this practice holds regular meetings for patients to meet the Practice Manager and selected members of the clinical and IT teams? And, we are delighted to report, these meetings are getting increasingly well-attended.
The Friends of Nightingale Practice is a voluntary group that meets regularly to listen to patients' feedback. We warmly welcome all patients, family members and carers to attend. We want you to feel ownership of the practice and help us provide the best service possible.
If you would like to join our group, please contact Jill White, our Practice Manager.
You can attend meetings in person or via a Zoom call.
Meetings are held four times a year. The last one was held in August. They usually take place between 4pm and 5pm. However, there was a request at the last meeting to change the time to the evening, to better accommodate working people. But the Nightingale staff’s working hours must also be accommodated. Watch this space.
Together better - get together and feel better
Together Better is a community project. Established in the wake of the COVID epidemic, it aims to bring people together to enjoy each other's company and a wide variety of social events and activities. It runs at the Nightingale and at other GP practices across Hackney. Over the years, it has had a proven positive effect - for example, in combatting low mood and loneliness.
At the Nightingale, our co-ordinator is called Sabrina Murphy. Sabrina, who joined us relatively recently, has been very active in organising events and day trips for people to enjoy. These have included sailing down the Thames to Greenwich; an opportunity to join others to enjoy a day by the sea at Margate and a visit to Temple Place on London’s Embankment for a day of celebrating 'makers and crafters'.
Coming up are an opportunity to find out about a local organisation called 'Bikeworks' that encourages people to cycle, and a trip to London Zoo.
Regular weekly dates for your diary are:
On Tuesdays
The Together Better Walking Group meets at 2pm, outside the Nightingale Practice on Kenninghall Road, if it’s fine weather. Be assured: this is gentle walking in local parks. Nothing too athletic.
On Thursdays
The Together Better Coffee Morning is held from 10am to 11.30am in the back room at the Nightingale Practice. We sometimes invite interesting speakers to our Thursday gathering.
The Together Better Arts & Crafts group meets from 1.30am to 1pm, also at the Nightingale Practice.
Other Together Better activities in the past have included yoga; shiatsu; circuit training; gardening; seated exercise and Pilates among many other classes.
The group also celebrates major festivals, like Eid, Easter and Christmas together, with 'Bring & Share' lunches, sometimes with a quiz involved. We have organised Macmillan coffee mornings and volunteer litter-picking sessions together. Activities are very much driven by the group. If there’s something you would like to explore, come along and suggest it. If you would you like to get involved, contact Sabrina on 07305 617 421.
Top tip: Check in with Sabrina if you are new to the Together Better group. The Thursday coffee morning is probably the best thing to try first.
Sailing off to Greenwich
This summer, we went to Greenwich.
It was a lovely day, involving a trip down the Thames.
The Together Better group is pictured with the famous 'Cutty Sark'
Nightingale Together have a well-supported art group
Do you enjoy painting and drawing? Perhaps it is something you were good at when you were at school, but you haven’t picked up a pencil or a brush since?
Our Arts & Crafts group meets most weeks from 1.30am to 1pm in the back room of the Nightingale surgery. It doesn’t matter at all if you are any good or not. It’s a chance to meet people and have a go.
Art exhibition brings Together Better together
Earlier this summer, Together Better organised a community art exhibition.
People from all the Together Better groups across Hackney contributed to the display – including from the Nightingale practice.
This was the colourful submission from Andrew, a long-standing member of the Nightingale groupChanging the world - starting with a quilt
Many readers will remember Tracey Joseph who used to come to our Together Better gatherings at the Nightingale before she and her son, Kai, moved away from the area.
Tracy was a valued member of our group and widely admired for her skills in sewing and crafting. She led several workshops and classes for us over the years.
Recently, Tracey got back in touch to tell us that one of her quilt designs was chosen as the cover picture for July’s ‘Stylist’ magazine – see left.
An article inside the magazine called ‘Art Can Change the World’ features the members of ‘Quilt Club’ of which Tracey is a longtime member. This north London community group meets every Wednesday to network, create art and quilt together.
Nightingale News is published four times a year for our patients and staff. If you have an idea for an article, please contact Jill White or leave a note for Jill at our reception desk.
Published: Sep 9, 2026