Chair’s Update June 2026: Community Updates and Looking Ahead
Dear Parishioners of Bubwith, Breighton and Willitoft
Good morning from this very wet part of Bubwith. There are quite a few things to share this month.
Firstly, we are very sad to be losing Councillor Shaun Thompson from our Parish Council, the village and the Bubwith Leisure and Sport Centre Committee. Shaun has been a star performer since joining the PC over 10 years ago. Shaun is what I call an ‘amiable driver’, you’ll never see him in a strop, he always steps up and does his bit for the community, whether it’s being a regular on gardening duty in the church yard, picking up PC duties or being gently persuaded to pick up the Chairperson reins at the Leisure Centre. His input and commitment at PC and Leisure Centre will be missed. Thank you, Shaun, for your years of commitment, we wish you and Rebecca all the best for your move to York, or
as you would say, ‘Go well’.
As the door closes to Shaun’s tenure a window of opportunity opens for another person to step forward into the vacancy on the Parish Council. If you are interested in playing an active, (but not onerous role) in shaping and supporting our community and would like to know more, please contact Steve Young, Parish Clerk or Tel: 01757 288234
Communication between the Parish Council and The Ridings Medical Group is ongoing with both parties being positive and supportive in working to address the concerns of local people about Primary Care Services. In our most recent communication, I raised a number of individual and common issues that had been brought to my attention by parishioners. Rebecca Rowe, Head of Systems and Estates at the practice, responded to concerns I’d raised and assured me that all points are raised with the practice partners and relevant teams.
She further explained that: Currently the practice aren’t always able to cover Dr Horsley’s leave from the practice which has resulted in some slots not being available at Bubwith, the practice are actively looking at ways to be more consistent in covering his leave going forward as they appreciate the impact on patients who are unable to attend other sites.
Confusion and a perceived lack of appointments available/visible online- When appointment links are sent for routine bookings, they will display the next available appointments at the time the link is accessed. As clinics do not run daily at Bubwith, appointments at that site may not always appear on the day the link is first used. The links remain active for seven days and can be checked again on subsequent days as new clinics are released. We recognise that this may not be clear to patients, and we will look at how this can be better communicated, including advising patients to recheck the link on another day if their preferred site does not initially appear. We are also exploring plans to ring-fence routine appointments at Holme on Spalding Moor and Bubwith so that they are only bookable by patients registered at those sites. This is intended to help mitigate transport and access difficulties. In addition, we are currently in the process of recruiting additional GPs across the practice.
Problems getting repeat prescriptions -In relation to repeat prescriptions, the system has generally been working very well and we have received very few complaints. There is no standard daily cut-off point for requests; however, this may have been impacted by the recent Easter bank holidays. Going forward, we will aim to ensure clearer communication ahead of bank holidays where arrangements may be affected.
Urgent blood tests are available daily at Holme on Spalding Moor, including this week, and this is also the case for urgent dressings. On occasions where demand is particularly high, the care navigation team are aware to contact an access coordinator to see whether additional capacity can be accommodated, which is often possible. Nurse and HCA clinics are consistently being delivered at Bubwith for routine appointments. Blood appointments are withing 14 days at Bubwith and 10 days at HOSM. We have 12 clinics for HCAs and Nurses running in the month of April and only 2 of these are not covered due to staff absence.
Responding to issues -We would also encourage Parish Councillors and patients to contact the practice directly with any concerns so that we can investigate specific issues fully and address them appropriately.
Ideally, if a person has some issue or problem with the practice, it is always preferable to pick this up directly with the practice so it can be quickly remedied. The Parish Council are keen to support our community and the medical group and will continue with our ongoing dialogue.
My sincere apologies for my error in last Bugle. The Bubwith Fun Day is planned for the 23rd August 2026 (grant dependent) and not as I suggested the 23rd September. It is the 75th anniversary of the Bubwith Playing Field (better known as the Bubwith Leisure Centre) it we hope to channel our 1950s style/ nostalgia to celebrate the huge amount of work done by so many of our community over the intervening years. If you are old enough (and brave enough) to admit to recalling the original opening or subsequent ‘Field Days’ and have memorabilia that you’d be happy to share at the event please either contact me as detailed below or Tracey Thompson, Centre Coordinator on we would love to hear from you. We would like to have a display and possibly video films of these much loved events on the 23rd
.
Speaking of nostalgia, if you have sorely missed the Informatics Board at the Bridge carpark you will be pleased to know that thanks to the quick action of Martin, the hospitality of Surj and the engineering and carpentry skills of Malcolm the board has been rescued, refreshed and returned to its rightful place. Thank you gentlemen. I took pleasure in diverting the Bubwith Friday Walking group to see it last week, they declared it to be awesome and well worth a visit!
Finally, gardening. The Parish Council has been approached to consider running a Parish Open Garden event in 2027. Whilst not able to take it on themselves Councillors were highly supportive of the idea. I’m now seeking anyone who is interested in being part of a ‘Task and Finish Group’ to take this idea forward. Experience in running open gardens would be an advantage but anyone with an interest in gardening, a bit of grit, compost and lots of determination would be welcome to join this group. Please contact me by email or phone as below. Many thanks.
Best wishes Sandra Hills
Chair of Bubwith Parish Council
(mob: 07748965779) .
