National Changes to General Practice
Please see the above attachment
Following the latest guidance, If you are calling with symptoms of a cough cold sore throat or high temperature regardless of travel history or contact with a suspected case of covid 19. - if you are well stay at home.
If you are unwell use the 111 website for information or, if you don’t have internet access, then call them. Do not attend a GP surgery or hospital
We have been advised to move to a full telephone triage system for access to face to face GP appointments. The reception team will take your details and a GP will call you back for a telephone assessment. You may then be asked to attend as appropriate.
Nurse or HCA appointments will only be made for essential treatment and the nurse may call you before you arrive. If you have any flu or cold symptoms please cancel the appointment.
Anyone arriving at the surgery will be assessed for symptoms before being allowed into the building.
Do not attend the surgery speculatively for an appointment. You will be asked to telephone in.
If you do not currently receive your prescription electronically to your pharmacy we will be asking you to nominate one to remove the need to enter the building.
Med 3 Certificates for self isolation - https://111.nhs.uk/isolation-note
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
Coronavirus - Frequently Asked Questions
This information is correct at the time of publishing (21st March 2020)
Is the Practice closed?
No. We are operating a closed-door policy. This means you will not be able to come to the Practice to book an appointment at reception. Please phone us to book an appointment. You will need to provide the receptionist with details of your condition. A nurse or doctor will attempt to deal with your concern by phone where possible.
What is the Practice doing to ensure continuity of service?
We are meeting as a team on a daily basis to discuss the latest updates and how as a Practice we can best help you. The pace of change is incredibly quick and we are doing all we can to continue to provide the safest and most appropriate clinical care. We have increased our staffing levels where possible to assist with this.
I'm worried and I don't know who to contact
There is a lot of information available online including NHS 111 online. Please try to use these resources for information before contacting any healthcare professionals. If you would like to check your symptoms without phoning 111 you can do so by clicking here.
I have seen that GP's have started doing Rescue Packs. Am I able to get one?
We have seen this post circulating on social media. The post is misleading and is not accurate. Please do not contact your GP for a rescue pack - they are only issued for certain patients with personalised care plans and are not issued as standard. You should continue to manage your condition in the usual way and if you feel you have symptoms of COVID-19 go to www.111.nhs.uk/covid-19
Can I order my medication early?
Please don't over-order your medication, order too early or order medication you do not need as this will prevent others from obtaining their medication.
If your regular medication is due please request this as normal.
I need a letter for my holiday cancellation. How do I get one?
Following RCGP advice please do not request GP letters for holiday cancellations in light of COVID-19. Airlines and holiday providers should be looking towards national guidance as part of their policy as this is a global issue.
I've had to self-isolate and I need a sick note. How do I get one?
Please do not request sick notes from your GP if you are self-isolating due to Coronavirus. For the first 7 days off work, employees can self-certify so they don't need any evidence for their employer. After that, employers may ask for evidence of sickness absence. Where this is related to having symptoms of coronavirus or living with someone who has symptoms, the isolation note can be used to provide evidence of the advice to self-isolate. After answering a few questions, an isolation note will be emailed to the user. If you do not have an email address, you can have the note sent to a trusted family member or friend, or directly to your employer. The service can also be used to generate an isolation note on behalf of someone else. To obtain an isolation note click here
Do I need to self-isolate?
If you live on your own and develop a new continuous cough and/or a temperature/fever you must self-isolate for 7 days. If you live with others and someone in your household develops symptoms the whole household must isolate for 14 days.
Everyone must make an effort with social distancing for the next 12 weeks. For the latest updates, visit the self-isolation guidance and social distancing guidance on the government website.
Car Parking - To try to ensure that only people visiting the surgery use the car park, we have installed an ANPR system. If you or anyone bringing you, parks on our car park, you will need to enter the registration details into the screens within the surgery, otherwise a fine will be issued.
Bank Holidays - The surgery is closed on all weekday Bank Holidays. However, Saturday morning clinics will operate as normal.
We are closed in 2020 from 12.30 - 18.30 on the following Wednesday afternoons for training:-
- Wed 26.02
- Wed 25.03
- Wed 22.04
- Wed 20.05
Should you require a GP during these times, please call the surgery's normal number and your call will be redirected or 0300 130 3040 and they will direct your call.
After these times (eg after 18.30), please call the usual 111 service.
PPG - If you would like to join our Patient participation group (PPG) please contact the reception team .
PPG Minutes
POD - Prescription Ordering Direct
This service will be going live from 1st July and is part of an area wide initiative to try to reduce the waste in unused medication, which is estimated to cost around £M 6-7 in our area.
Please click on the link to see more details POD
Data Protection and GDPR
The data protection act of 1998 was introduced to set in law the rules that govern the way that personal information was used and stored. All GP practices have been required to be compliant with this act and others, which form the basis of our Information Governance training for all staff.
On 25th May 2018 the General Data Protection Regulation updates the previous act and becomes Law. This law has been introduced to give greater transparency on how and why your personal data, which has increased considerably over that time is stored used and shared.
Part of the law requires that we publish a Privacy notice explaining key pieces of information, please select the link below to view ours.
Privacy Notice
National Data opt out Scheme
To enable greater personal control and support GDPR law a new National opt out scheme is being introduce from 25th May 2018. Please select the link below if you wish further information.
National Data opt out
Please follow the link to the national data opt-out if you wish any further information website.
Any patients that do not wish or are unable to visit a web site can call the contact centre on 0300 3035678. patient handout
TXT messages
You may have also seen reports in the press that GP surgeries will not be able to txt you in the future due to GDPR law, this is completely incorrect.
We obtain your contact details to enable us to communicate with you in the provision of our General Medical services as a GP practice and txt messages are part of that process, GDPR does not effect that.
You retain the right to opt out of receiving them, by contacting us and we are reliant upon the information that you provide to us to ensure that they are up to date. We cannot be responsible for any miscommunication that is a result of out of date personal information.
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TXT Messages - We will be using a txt alert and recall system from 1st November 2016. You will receive a message from us informing you of this service to the mobile number that you have provided. Please contact us if you wish to opt out, or update your mobile number.
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CQC Inspection - Our practice was rated as good in all areas. The full details of the inspection can be viewed in the further information tab section 10.Care Quality Commission.
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Practice Boundary - Enter your postcode into the link on the Noticeboard to see if you are in our area. .
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On Line Services
On Line Access to Patient Records - If you are registered for on line services, you can request to view part of your medical records, initially allergies and medication history through this portal. Please speak to the practice staff if you wish to activate this.
Download, print, complete and return the form to us, using the link below. We will then email you with your registration details for the appointment and prescription modules only.
On Line Services registration form
When you have your login details please visit. Our Practice ID is M84001
www.patient-services.co.uk
Patient Survey data - Available by selecting the link on the Noticeboard
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Monthly Performance Data -Available by selecting the link on the Noticeboard
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Saturday Clinics - - Now available one GP and one nurse clinic for pre bookable appointments only, during the hours of 8.00 - 12.00.
Telephones will not be in operation to book or cancel and the Out of Hours service remains the contact for any emergency requirements.
You can collect your prescription during this time.
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FOI Requests - The surgery will adhere to current legislation for such requests.
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(Site updated 27/03/2020)