Noticeboard

Telephones

With effect from Monday 26 October 2020, our telephone lines will be available between 08.00 and 18.00.  the practice will remain open until 18.30, Monday to Friday.

Covid 19 Vaccine

A trial is soon to be started at Synexus, Hexham General Hospital - please see our research page for more details if you are interested in taking part.

E-mail and e-Consult service

Please do not e-mail us directly with private or confidential medical information.  This is not a secure channel.  Please contact us via the e-Consult service instead. 

This is available via the online form found half way down the home page. Just click on the blue e-Consult box and follow the instructions.  This is a secure way of contacting us and the system will direct you appropriately.  If you need GP advice, you will receive a response the following working day and they will arrange any follow up or consultation that may be required.

Research project

If you'd like to take part in a research study about data sharing, please look at our Reseach page.

Face coverings and hand washing

In line with Government recommendations, if you are entering the surgery premises, please wear a face covering.  we also now have hand washing facilities at the entrance doors.  Please wash your hands when entering and leaving the building.

 

Patient Access Update

If you access our online services, Patient Access has started to offer private services through the portal.  These services are in no way endorsed by or connected to the practice.  patient access are also updating their security and shortly when you log in you will be asked to provide a 5 digit pin number.

Repeat medication

Pharmacies are taking longer to dispense medication due to supply issues.  Please allow 7 days before collecting your medication or check with the pharmacy.

Online booking

We have been advised not to offer online booking for face to face appointments for the time being.  Appointments are for telephone consultations only so please leave a contact number.  The GP or nurse will telephone you as close to the appointed time as possible.  However, they will not be able to call multiple times if they cannot speak to you.

 

 NATIONAL DATA OPT OUT

Information about the national data opt-out programme can be found at:

www.nhs.uk/your-data-matters or telephone 0300 303 5678

Mobile telephone numbers

Please make sure we have your up to date contact details.  We use mobile phone numbers to send appointment reminders and other appropriate messages.  If you provide us with a mobile telephone number we will assume you are happy to use this to contact you unless you tell us otherwise.

Carers

Please let us know if you are a carer so that we can refer you to Carers Northumberland for support, if you so wish.

Non NHS work 

This is not a priority for our team so it may take up to 3 weeks for us to provide insurance reports, to complete holiday cancellations forms etc. Please note there may be charges for these private services, so please ask.

 

Please also be aware that we cannot guarantee to turn around sick note requests within 48 hours, nor can we provide sick notes in advance.

Smoking and E-cigarettes

There is a blanket no smoking policy in the Primary Care Centre and Hospital site.  This extends also to e-cigrettes as there is no current evidence as to their efficacy or safety.

Online Booking and Medication Requests

To book appointments and order repeat medication 24 hours a day 7 days a week download an application form or please speak to one of our reception team.  for full details regarding security and consent please select item 4 in further information on the right of our home page

Application form for online access

Visitor Tansport for Wansbeck and North Tyneside

If a patient is transferred from Hexham General Hospital to Wansbeck or North Tyneside general hospitals for further treatment, a free daily shuttle car operates from Hexham to enable relatives to visit.  To book a place on this service, which leaves Hexham General Hospital at 1pm, contact 0344 811 8111 and ask for extension 5388.

 

Clinics & Servicesstethescope_and_heart

As you will see below, many clinic appointments are for longer than our standard 10 minute slot.  For this reason, we often telephone patients the day before the appointment to remind them of the time so that these time slots are not wasted.  If you do not wish us to call you, please let us know and we will make a note against that particular appointment.

Below is a flavour of the services we offer.  We have a full range of women's health services, particularly relating to contraception and menopause from within the GP and practice nurse team.  We are also able to offer support form colleagues who work alongside practice staff, such as First contact physiotherapists, pharmacists, mental health workers and living well co-ordinators.

Clinic

Description

Time

Antenatal CareRoutine antenatal check-ups by our qualified midwives.Wednesday afternoons
Childhood ImmunisationsWe follow the government recommended programme for childhood immunisations.15 minute appointment with Rachel Rock or Charlotte Soulsby
CoilsFor fitting and removal of coils.20 or 30 minute appointment with Dr Andrea Coady depending on procedure
Continence ClinicNurse led clinic held on the last Thursday every month 2pm to 4 pm.Please contact the District Nurse team directly for an appointment at the Primary Care Centre.
ContraceptionAdvice on contraception including coil and implant fitting, depo provera injections and provision of free condoms.10 minute appointment with any Doctor
DiabetesRoutine monitoring and medication reviews for diabetic patients.  These are usually twice a year, an annual review and an interim blood test.  We also offer foot assessments by our own Nurses or by the Podiatry team based within the Primary Care Centre.Patients need a 10 minute, morning blood test appointment with Deb Sim at least 1 week prior to a 20 minutes annual review appointment with Charlotte Soulsby.  The 6 monthly interim appointment is 10 minutes with Charlotte Soulsby.  
Diabetic retinal screeningRetinal screening is carried out by Medical Imaging UK, occasionally at the practice premises.  Retinal screening appointments will be sent out to you as required after your initial referral to them from the Practice.

Ear Syringing

We encourage self help with ear wax and offer guidance and advice.  If an appointment is necessary we have a District Nurse led clinic.20 min appointment with District Nurses at the Primary Care Centre.
ImplantsFor fitting and removal of implants20 or 30 minute appointment with Dr Kate Lewis depending on proceedure
Well WomanFor smears and advice. 20 minute appointment with any Practice Nurse or female GP
Hormone replacement therapyReviews for patients on HRT10 min appointment with any Doctor
Mother and BabyA drop-in clinic for advice and weight checking. Vaccinations for all children up to age 5. Sessions held by the Health Visiting team at the Primary Care Centre
Travel VaccinationsNHS Routine and travel vaccinations for all ages are available during surgery times by appointment with our nurses -  NHS Travel vaccinations.  Please give us as much notice as you can prior to travel.20 minute appointment with Practice Nurse at least a week after completing the travel vaccination questionnaire.
Routine vaccinationsRoutine vaccinations for all ages are available during surgery times by appointment with our nurses.10 minute appointment with a Practice Nurse or Healthcare Assistant
Seasonal Flu VaccinationAvailable free for anyone over 65 years of age and those who suffer from chronic heart, vascular, respiratory, renal or liver disease, Diabetes, degenerative neurological disease. learning disabilities or those who are pregnant or immunocompromised.  Carers may also be eligible. To check whether you are eligible please call the surgery.

Nasal flu vaccine will be available to patients between 6months  and up to 18 years at risk and any child aged 2 or 3 on 1st September.  School children in Reception and up to and including year 6 will be vaccinated at school.

 

Patients eligible for a Flu vaccination will be contacted every year by letter or text, usually towards the end of August. We run special flu clinics and vaccinate usually until the middle of December, depending on vaccine availability. 

RespiratoryRegular check-ups and advice from practice nurses on lifestyle, inhaler techniques and medication for patients with Asthma or COPD.20 or 30 minute appointment with a practice Nurse
VascularFor all patients with heart or vascular problems eg MI or stroke.20 minute appointment with a Practice Nurse.
EpilepsyMonitoring and medication reviews for all patients with epilepsy.10 minutes with a Doctor.
DementiaAnnual review for patients with Dementia or memory loss20 min appointment with any Doctor
Mental HealthAnnual review for patients with mental Health problems20 min appointment with any Doctor
Learning DisabilitiesAnnual review for patients with learning disabilities20 min appointment with any Doctor
Minor SurgeryMinor operations carried out in the practice following advice from your Doctor.15 minute appointments on a Friday with Dr Frankel
Smoking CessationFor patients wanting to give up and on going support for those who have stopped.This may involve an initial appointment with any Practice Nurse and then a referral to the Smoking Cessation Service.  You can also go direct to the Smoking Cessation Service.
HypertensionFor patients with diagnosed high blood pressure.Annual 10 minute appointment including blood test and a 6 month 10 minute interim blood pressure check, both with a Practice Nurse.
PodiatryNew podiatry patients will require an initial referral from their GP

Appointments can be made by calling 01434 613063 (option 0) between 08.30 and 17.00 Monday to Friday (other than between 12.30 and 13.30 when the office is closed for lunch).

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