Downlands Medical Centre

To improve the health, wellbeing and lives of all those we care for.

Our Vision

We are committed to improving access to and experience of healthcare for LGTBQ people across Polegate.

• We will respect your confidentiality.
• We will strive to use inclusive language in all communication.
• We will provide information and signpost to further resources whenever possible.
• We will not discriminate against any patient regardless of their gender orientation or sexuality.    

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You can find more information about the Friends and Family Test Here

We are writing to inform you about some important changes within the Victoria Primary Care Network (PCN) that took effect in April 2024. While we remain one unified PCN, there have been some structural adjustments to how services are delivered. 

Collaborations and Service Delivery: 

Victoria Medical Centre (VMC) and Downlands Medical Centre: These practices will continue to collaborate closely to provide PCN services across both locations. 

Manor Park and Grove Road - Vita Healthcare: At these practices, Vita Healthcare will now provide certain PCN services directly at the practice level. This includes: 

Enhanced Health within Care Homes

Online Consultations

Physiotherapy Appointments

Social Prescribing 

Ongoing Community Support:

Despite these changes, our commitment to working together as one PCN remains strong. We will continue to support community health initiatives such as the flu and COVID-19 vaccination rollouts. 

What This Means for You:

These changes aim to enhance the accessibility and efficiency of the services we provide. You will still receive comprehensive care, with some services now more focused at your specific practice. 

If you have any questions or need further information, please do not hesitate to contact your practice directly. 

Thank you for your understanding and continued support.

Following recent media coverage about the Infected Blood Inquiry, we understand that some people may be concerned about their own health. 

Please see the dedicated NHS webpage for key information about this and signposting on where to find support: https://nhs.uk/infected-blood-support 

Since 1991, all blood donated in the UK is screened and distributed by NHS Blood and Transplant following rigorous safety standards and testing to protect both donors and patients. 

Since testing has been introduced, the risk of getting an infection from a blood transfusion or blood products is very low.  

All blood donors are screened at every donation and every donation is tested before it is sent to hospitals. Blood services and blood safety has been transformed, not only in terms of technological advances in testing but also in the way donors are recruited and checked they are safe to donate.

Given the time that has elapsed since the last use of infected blood products, most of those who were directly affected have been identified and started appropriate treatment. However, there may be a small number of patients where this is not the case, and particularly where they are living with asymptomatic hepatitis C. If you are worried about risk of hepatitis C, you can order a confidential test online through the NHS website: http://hepctest.nhs.uk. 

Patients who want more details about the safety of blood from donations in England can find more information here:  https://www.blood.co.uk/the-donation-process/further-information/your-safety/