~~~~PLEASE DO NOT COME TO THE SURGERY AS ACCESS IS RESTRICTED~~~~
BRANKSOMEWOOD HEALTHCARE CENTRE- APPOINTMENTS DUE TO CORONAVIRUS
In light of the Covid-19 pandemic, Branksomewood Healthcare Centre will be triaging all requests for face-to-face appointments to minimise the rate of spread of the infection, reduce the risk to vulnerable members of our community and lessen the impact on the wider healthcare system. You will not be able to book any appointments at the reception desk. If you need an appointment, please visit our website and complete an Econsult your doctor will then assess your need or suitability for a face to face appointment and book you in accordingly. Alternatively, please contact us by telephone.
All pre-booked face to face appointments have been cancelled and changed to telephone calls in the first instance. You will be advised if you can attend surgery AFTER this call, therefore we respectively ask that you do not call the surgery to check if your appointment has been cancelled.
This does not IN ANY WAY mean we are closed. It is an ever-evolving and highly unusual situation, so it is likely that, with guidance from Public Health England, we will continue to change how we provide care for our patients over the coming weeks and months. We are grateful for your understanding and patience in helping us provide the most effective service we can.
If you have a cough or a temperature, the advice from Public Health England is to self-isolate. If your symptoms worsen during home isolation or are no better after 7 days, contact NHS 111 online. If you have no internet access, you should call NHS 111. For a medical emergency dial 999.
Increased Demands for Repeat Medication
Please do not order your medication in advance. We are seeing an unprecedented demand both at the surgery for prescriptions and at the pharmacy for medication being ordered in advance of when they are due. Due to this, processing is now up to at least 5 working days. These unnecessary early demands for repeat prescriptions is now creating additional work with a backlog which in turn is affecting those most in need of medication.
Please also be aware, that we are now assisting you at the premises by open window in some instances. For that reason, please ensure you wear appropriate clothing and footwear for warmth and wet weather conditions as you may find you have to wait in the car park for a while.
~~~~PLEASE DO NOT COME TO THE SURGERY AS ACCESS IS RESTRICTED~~~~
Important information about the coronavirus (COVID-19)
The NHS in England and Public Health England (PHE) are well prepared for outbreaks of new infectious diseases. The NHS has put in place measures to protect patients, our community and NHS staff while ensuring as many services as possible are available to the public. Steps have been taken to minimise the risk to patients and staff and we are working with individual patients to appropriately manage their care.
If you have symptoms associated with coronavirus including a new continuous cough and a high temperature, you are advised to stay at home for 7 days.
Please do not book a GP appointment or attend your GP practice.
If you live with other people, they should stay at home for at least 14 days, to avoid spreading the infection outside the home. After 14 days, anyone you live with who does not have symptoms can return to their normal routine.
But, if anyone in your home gets symptoms, they should stay at home for 7 days from the day their symptoms start. Even if it means they're at home for longer than 14 days. The most up-to-date public guidance is always online at www.nhs.uk/coronavirus
If your symptoms are serious, or get worse, NHS 111 has an online coronavirus service that can tell you if you need further medical help and advise you what to do.
Only call 111 direct if you are advised to do so by the online service or you cannot go online.
For the latest COVID-19 advice please visit www.nhs.uk/coronavirus
Like the common cold, coronavirus infection usually occurs through close contact with a person with novel coronavirus via cough and sneezes or hand contact.
A person can also catch the virus by touching contaminated surfaces if they do not wash their hands.
Testing of suspected coronavirus cases is carried out in line with strict guidelines.
This means that suspected cases are kept in isolation, away from public areas of GP surgeries, pharmacies and hospitals and returned home also in isolation. Any equipment that come into contact with suspected cases are thoroughly cleaned as appropriate. Specific guidance has also been shared with NHS staff to help safeguard them and others. Patients can be reassured that their safety is a top priority, and are encouraged to attend all appointments as usual.
Everyone is being reminded to follow Public Health England advice to:
- Always carry tissues with you and use them to catch your cough or sneeze. Then bin the tissue, and wash your hands, or use a sanitiser gel.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after using public transport. Use a sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are unwell.
FOR INFORMATION REGARDING SICK NOTES (FIT NOTES) PLEASE CLICK THE LINK BELOW:
COVID-19 SICK NOTE (FIT NOTE)
INFORMATION REGARDING HOLIDAY INSURANCE CANCELLATION LETTERS:
We regret that in these exceptional circumstances the practice is currently unable to write any letters for patients who are making a holiday refund insurance claim.
This service is non-contractual and as such we are under no obligation to offer this. We hope you will understand that the GPs need to focus upon the clinical needs of their patients at this difficult time.
The Government announced on 17th March that:-
The Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) now advises British people against all non-essential travel worldwide. This advice takes effect immediately and applies initially for a period of 30 days.
Due to the recent Coronavirus outbreak, our Reception Team will be asking you additional questions.
The Receptionist will ask if you have travelled to China / Asia in the last 14 days or been in contact with anyone who has.
If the answer to any of these questions is yes, please do not visit the surgery, stay home and use NHS 111 online service on the following url: https://111.nhs.uk/service/covid-19
PLEASE BE VIGILANT
IF YOU ARE APPROACHED BY ANYONE IN THE CAR PARK ASKING YOU TO SIGN A COLLECTION FORM FOR A DEAF CENTRE, PLEASE ALERT A MEMBER OF STAFF IMMEDIATELY. WE HAVE NOT GIVEN PERMISSION FOR ANY COLLECTORS ON SURGERY PROPERTY.
**IMPORTANT INFORMATION - RECEPTION STAFF VACANCY, PLEASE SEE VACANCY SECTION FOR FURTHER INFORMATION **
Patient information: There will be no reception cover at our late Friday evening clinics from 6:30pm. If you are attending the surgery for an appointment after this time, please take a seat and you will be called by the GP or Nurse on duty.
If you are entitled to the flu vaccination we are now taking bookings, please telephone to make your appointment.
Did you know that we are open late on some Friday evenings and Saturday Mornings? Please Click here for more information.
Welcome to Branksomewood Healthcare Centre
Branksomewood Healthcare Centre is a relatively large but friendly practice looking after approximately 12,400 patients attracting funding for approximately 11,000 of these. We have a team of 10 General Practitioner’s (GP) and a team of highly skilled practice nurses and allied health professionals. We offer full services as required under a General practice Contract. The practice also offers appointments with Counsellors and Psychologists, Community Midwives, Phlebotomy and Physiotherapy.
We are confident that our website will provide clear and concise help and give our patients the information they require in an easy and convenient format. It has been designed with the patient’s needs at the forefront of everything, from checking surgery times to letting us know what you think of us.
Serving You
Our dedicated team are here to treat those minor ailments that occur as well as providing specialist management of long-term conditions and clinics covering a wide range of healthcare issues. The technology also means you can now do a lot of things from the comfort of your home such as order a repeat prescription or cancel an appointment.
Partners in Care
Once registered, patients and healthcare professionals work together to ensure the most appropriate care is provided. This partnership philosophy extends even further and our active patient group exists to make sure that patient needs and the practice offering are always heading in the same direction.
Access
The practice premises has ample parking, access for the disabled and toilet facilities, plus a spacious waiting area.
(Site updated 31/03/2020)