Social Media
We are aware of the popular nature of social media and the benefits behind the many platforms available.
We would like to remind patients of the importance of remaining safe while using social media platforms by protecting your information and not sharing information with unknown sources. This is particularly relevant for parents/guardians with children who use social media, we would strongly encourage that children are supervised at all times when using any sort of social media.
We would also encourage patients to refrain from using social media as a place to air their grievances regarding the practice and to raise issues directly with the practice. This enables us as a practice to be more aware of issues raised by patients and respond effectively regarding actions taken. This can be done anonymously via the suggestions and comments slip.
Please note if we are made aware of any comments made on social media regarding the practice that directly/indirectly identifies a member of staff and are deemed to be factually incorrect or defamatory, the practice will take action to have these posts removed and may seek legal advice.
We thank you for your co-operation.
Appointment System
Over the last few months we have trialled a number of different ways to run our GP clinics - this has included all on the day phone appts, a number of pre booked phone appts and making our pre bookable phone appts available online. We strive to ensure that the system works for the majority of our patients, however we appreciate that we will never have a system that works for all our patients. We understand that the current system was a cause for concern for some patients and so from next week we have increased the number of pre bookable phone appts available with a proportion being available online as per our contractual requirements and the rest available by telephone for those without online access. We hope this improves our patients' overall experience when booking an appt.
28.06.21
Telephone system - 28.06.21
Our telecomms provider has now implemented a fix which they believe will ensure we no longer experience the problems we have been doing. We have also had a back up telephone line installed as a precaution. We would like to thank everyone for their patience during this time and sincerely apologise for all the inconvenience caused.
Telephone System
Out telecomms provider is working on a fix to rectify the issues we have been having with our phone system. Therefore, there may be a short outtage affecting incoming calls on 24.06.21. Please bear with us and keep trying should you receive an error message when calling us. We will keep disruption to a minimum and sincerely apologise for any inconvenience.
PRIVACY NOTICE
We have updated our privacy notice - please look at the 'Your Data' tab to find out the most up to date information on how your data is used.
Response to patient enquiries about wanting face2face appointments
We apologise for not being able to offer you a face-2-face appointment without an initial assessment by one of our clinicians. In light of the recent increase in the new variant of COVID-19 that are still circulating, we need to exercise caution for the benefit of both patients invited to the surgery following a remote consultation and our practice staff, this is in line with guidance received from our Local Medical Committee.
We can assure you that if the GP feels you need to be seen face-2-face then they will arrange a date and time for you to come to the surgery.
We would encourage you to arrange a remote consultation to discuss your issues with one of the surgeries clinicians’ as you have been throughout the pandemic.
Telephone Problems
We are having problems with our phones. If you ring the surgery & get disconnected/ hear a message saying we are closed or the phone is unavailable ring back later or text the number when we should be open please keep trying. DO NOT TEXT the surgery, we cannot access any texts sent. If you have sent us a text after hearing this message and haven't had a reply please contact us urgently. We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience.
Remember, when the surgery is closed you can dial 111 for medical advice or if you have a medical emergency at any time dial 999.
Online Access
There was a technical issue with the online service on Monday 18th January 2021. Unfortunately, this has resulted in all registered patients using detailed online services such as prescriptions being deactivated and having to re-register with new passwords from the practice. We have worked out a number of ways to get the details to patients quickly should they be needed. Please ring the surgery if you require new details for the online service and a staff member will help you. We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience.
New phone system
Please note from Thursday 10th December 2020 all calls will be recorded. Access to the recordings will only be available to relevant practice staff and via password protected software.
COVID-19 vaccination programme
The Government has asked the NHS to be ready to deliver a COVID-19 vaccination programme so that it is set to mobilise and start offering vaccinations as soon as one becomes available.
While it isn’t yet certain when COVID-19 vaccine will be available, we are working hard and busy preparing to ensure we are ready to offer it when it is.
NHS planning is based on the latest information on the vaccine development including which groups will be the priority to get vaccinated early in the programme. This might mean that smaller numbers of people – who have been prioritised as the most vulnerable – will be vaccinated first, with larger number of eligible people being offered later in the new year, dependent on COVID-19 vaccine availability. The NHS will follow clinical guidance by Department of Health and Social Care and the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation on the prioritised people eligible for COVID-19 vaccine and therefore plan for vaccine rollout accordingly.
Plans will be finalised when we have certainty on when and what vaccines will be approved and available for use. Further details and timeframes will be shared shortly.
In the meantime, we are encouraging people to have their flu vaccination as soon as possible in preparation for this winter. As well as protecting yourself against the flu virus, you are also protecting family and friends.
Who will get the vaccine?
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) have recently published interim updated advice on the priority groups to receive COVID-19 vaccine, advising that vaccines should first be given to care home residents and staff, followed by people aged over 80 and health and social workers, before being rolled out to the rest of the population in order of age and risk.
The JCVI will continue to update this advice as more information becomes available on vaccine effectiveness, safety and clinical characteristics. This will in turn be reflected in the NHS’s plans.
ADVICE TO PARENTS DURING CORONAVIRUS
Parents are being reminded to seek medical advice if their child is unwell.
Please see this quick reference guide to know what to do and where to go if your child has particular symptoms (click on the link to download the document) -