~~~~PLEASE DO NOT COME TO THE SURGERY AS ACCESS IS RESTRICTED~~~~
MESSAGE TO PATIENTS 6TH APRIL 2020
If you have had any contact with the surgery over the last week or two, you are likely to have noticed a marked difference in the way things are being done. We have done this to minimise face to face contact between patients and staff, limit the spread of the Covid-19 virus and keep our practice team and patients as well as possible. The information below shows you how we plan to operate over the coming weeks:
Making an appointment
- Our GP practice has now moved to a total triage system. This means that all requests for appointments must be made via the phone 0333 009 6767 or online Econsult through our website www.branksomewood.co.uk;
- Each request will be passed to a doctor for assessment. You may find that we treat you by phone, video link, or we may ask you to come for a face-to-face consultation;
- Access to the surgery premises or another local surgery will only be if you have been asked to do so and there will be clear arrangements discussed with you as to how we can safely do this. Please do not come to the surgery unless you have been specifically asked to do so.
Attending your appointment
- If you need to have a face to face appointment, you may be asked to attend one of the following surgeries: Fleet Medical Centre, Richmond Surgery, Crondall Surgery
- Whilst you may have to go to a different surgery building to the one you are used to and you might see a doctor or nurse who you are not familiar with. Your records will still be accessible securely to you and to them.
Repeat prescriptions
- We may have already contacted you to collect paperwork and prescriptions and will continue to do so as required
- If you are able to, please continue to use our website www.branksomewood.co.uk or the NHS App to order your repeat prescription. You do not need to come to the surgery to register to do this;
- If you cannot order your repeat prescription any other way then you may deliver this through the letter box clearly labelled on the front door – this can be done without accessing the reception.
How can you help?
- Please be patient – our phone lines are very busy;
- Do you have a condition that you can treat at home? If you do then please try to do this with advice from either your pharmacist or from NHS online;
- Do you simply need general advice? If you do, can you call 111 for this or visit our website to access E-consult www.branksomewood.co.uk
- If you think you may have Covid-19 DO NOT go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital. Use the NHS111 Online service to find out what to do next: 111.nhs.uk/covid-19;
- If you feel you need to see a doctor for non-Covid-19 symptoms then please submit an Econsult and we will discuss your needs;
- Please help the receptionist by giving them as much information as possible and answer any questions they may have. This will help us prioritise calls and have the right clinician call you back.
- Have you nominated a pharmacy for the transmission of electronic prescriptions? This will prevent the need for either you or pharmacy staff from coming to the surgery. The nomination of a pharmacy can be done via your online app or speaking to your pharmacist or GP surgery directly.
- Please check our website for updates www.branksomewood.co.uk
We do anticipate staff shortages due to isolation and sickness and aim to continue to give you the best possible care at this difficult time and appreciate your continued support with this.
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.
PATIENT INFORMATION FROM BMJ, please click the following link: BMJ Coronavirus Information
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.
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 29/05/2020)