Practice Initiatives

Our Initiatives

At Tavyside Health Centre, we are proud to be more than just a GP practice, we are committed to going beyond day-to-day care to support the health and wellbeing of our patients and the wider community. Our initiatives are designed to promote healthier lifestyles, improve access to care, and address the broader social and environmental factors that affect health.

We regularly take part in and lead a range of programmes and campaigns, including:

  • Health Promotion & Prevention – Educational sessions, screenings, and clinics focused on mental health, diabetes, heart health, cancer awareness, and more.

  • Community Outreach – Working with local organisations, schools, and charities to support vulnerable groups and reduce health inequalities.

  • Sustainability in Healthcare – Adopting greener practices and encouraging environmentally responsible healthcare delivery.

  • Digital Access & Inclusion – Helping patients make the most of online services, ensuring no one is left behind in the digital age.

  • Patient Participation – Engaging with our Patient Participation Group (PPG) to shape services around real patient needs.

We believe healthcare should be proactive, inclusive, and community-focused. Keep an eye on this page for updates on our current and upcoming initiatives.

An Active Practice

We believe in the power of movement for better health. We encourage physical activity through social prescribing, walking groups, and partnerships with local health and fitness initiatives.

Armed Forces Veteran Friendly Accredited

We understand the unique health needs of those who have served in the Armed Forces and are trained to offer tailored support, guidance, and referrals to veteran-specific services.

This also means, as part of the health commitments of the Armed Forces Covenant, we have a dedicated clinician who has specialist knowledge of military related health conditions and veteran specific health services. This is important in helping ex-forces to get the best care and treatment. 

If you are ex-forces, please let us know by either emailing d-icb.tavyside@nhs.net or calling us on 01822 613517 to help ensure you are getting the best possible care.

A Carer Friendly Practice

We actively identify and support paid and unpaid carers, ensuring they are recognised, respected, and given access to advice, health checks, and flexible services that support their own wellbeing.

Being Carer Friendly means we will:

  • Provide our staff with carer awareness training
  • Make our services accessible to all carers
  • Actively inform, involve and communicate with carers
  • Promote a Carer Friendly culture
  • Refer carers to Devon Carers free supportive services

Web: www.devoncarers.org.uk
Email: info@devoncarers.org.uk
Tel: 03456 434 435

A Dementia Friendly Practice

Our staff are trained to offer sensitive and appropriate care to patients living with dementia, and we strive to make our environment welcoming and accessible for those affected.

Disability Confident

In line with Gov.uk‘s Disability Confident scheme, we are committed to being accessible, inclusive, and supportive to both patients and staff with disabilities. We continually review our services and workplace to remove barriers and promote equal opportunity.

A Green Practice

We embrace environmentally responsible practices—reducing waste, promoting active travel, and contributing to the NHS’s wider sustainability goals.

We are proud to have achieved gold award in 2024 for achieving many steps to reducing our carbon footprint.  

LGBTQ+

We provide a safe, non-judgemental space for LGBTQ+ patients and staff. Our team is trained in inclusive communication and we’re committed to ensuring equitable, respectful care for all identities and orientations.

Rainbow Badges is an initiative that gives staff a way to show that Tavyside Health Centre offers open, non-judgemental and inclusive care for patients and their families, who identify as LGBT+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, the + simply means that we are inclusive of all identities, regardless of how people define themselves.) If you see a staff member wearing an NHS Rainbow Badge, it means they have pledged to be someone you can talk to. While they may not have all the answers, they are a supportive, non-judgemental listener and can help guide you to the right resources or services.

A Safe Surgery

As part of the Safe Surgeries initiative, we ensure that everyone in our community—regardless of immigration status—can access healthcare without fear or barriers. We are committed to providing a welcoming, non-discriminatory environment and offering care to all who need it.