July 2019 News
July 2019
I thought I’d write a little bit about why you might get asked some questions when you ring up for an appointment so that you will understand that the reception team are not
just being nosey!
You will have read in the papers and in the news that GP Practices are constantly under extreme pressure and in order to manage the work load we need to be able to prioritise our work.
At our practice you are able to book your appointments ahead throughout the year to fit in with your work patterns, or other that might be able to bring you in for your appointments.
We also hold a number of appointments each day for urgent cases that require medical attention more urgently.
The reception staff are members of the practice team and it has been agreed that they SHOULD ask patients “why they need to be seen”. Reception staff are trained to ask certain questions in order to ensure that you receive:
• The most appropriate medical care
• From the most appropriate health professional
• At the most appropriate time
Receptionists are asked by the Partners to collect brief information from patients
1. To help doctors prioritise house visits and phone calls
2. To ensure that all patients receive the appropriate level of care
3. To direct patients to see the Advanced Nurse Practitioner or other health professional rather than a doctor where appropriate
Reception staff like all members of the team; are bound by confidentiality rules
• Any information given by you is treated STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL
• The Practice would take any breach of confidentiality very seriously and deal with this accordingly
• You can ask to speak to a receptionist in private away from the reception
• If you feel an issue is extremely private and do not wish to say what this is then this will of course be respected
Thank you for your support.
Helen Stacey
Practice Manager
New Somerset Activity Directory
The services of the Zing Somerset website have now been relocated to new websites
To find a range of physical activity classes, walks and sports sessions within your local area, visit www.sasp.co.uk/activities and you will be relocated to Somerset Activity & Sports Partnership (SASP) activity finder.
For more information around Zing Somerset community support, please contact onelifesomerset@somerset.gov.uk or visit http://www.healthysomerset.co.uk/
Thank you for your patience with this change over. If you would like to add your activities to the SASP activity finder, please contact James on jgardner@sasp.co.uk and he will assist you.
For further information please contact: Sarah Coombs (Somerset Activity & Sports Partnership) on 01823 653990
We are open 8.00 am – 6.30pm Monday to Friday and we are open on Saturdays 8.30am – 10.00am.
Evening and Weekend Appointments at GP Surgeries
You can now access routine appointments in the evening and at the weekend if you are registered with a Somerset GP.
Local Practices in the Bridgwater Bay Area are working together to deliver improved access to routine GP appointments Monday – Friday 6.30pm – 8pm and weekends (Taunton Road Medical Centre, East Quay Medical Centre, Cranleigh Gardens, Somerset Bridge, Redgate Medical Centre,Victoria Park Medical Centre, Cannington Health Centre, Polden Meadows Health Centre. To book an evening or weekend appointment please contact the Practice during normal opening times and we will be able to advise on where an appointment will be available to suit your needs. You will be advised on where to attend and your appointment time. If you require a Saturday appointment you can book this in advance during normal opening times or on the day if you call between 8.30am and 9.30am. Health staff at these appointments will have access to your medical records (only if you consent for your records to be shared) and will be able to provide you with the same high standard of care as you would expect during normal opening times.
Please note we are not open on Bank Holidays.
All patients at our practice are registered with their own GP, if you are unsure of which GP you are registered with, or wish to change your allocated GP please contact reception.
Appointment times to see the Doctor are 8.50am – 11.45am and 3pm – 5.30pm Monday to Friday and 9.00am – 10.00am on Saturday.
To see a doctor or nurse please telephone us or come into the surgery to book an appointment.
Please note we are unable to dispense to patients who live within one mile of a local pharmacy.
Online Patient Services
Patient Access is a website that enables you to view some information that the Practice holds about you easily and quickly using your personal computer or mobile device via the internet. This information is encrypted and sent securely from the Practice to you to keep it secure.
For More Information Down Load NHS APP Now (for patients aged 13 years and Over and registered with a GP Practice).
The NHS App is free to download from the App Store and Google Play.
We can now offer On line patient access for the following services:
Updating your Contact Details
Booking appointments: there is one on-line patient access bookable slot per GP clinic
Ordering your Repeat Prescriptions: order your repeat prescriptions online and they will be ready for collection within 2 working days. We can not issue ‘acute’ tems e.g. medication prescribed as a one off course of treatment or medications which are taken infrequently.
Access to your Coded Medical Records: If you are over 16 years of age you can access limited information from your medical record (with your Doctors agreement). You will be able to see basic coded details from your record regarding allergies, medication, immunisations, test results. You will not be able to see consultation notes or documents at present.
How to Request On-line Patient Access
You will need to complete an On-Line Patient Access Request form and return this to the Medical Centre with photo identification. You will then receive a PIN Number and Access Registration information.
