Welcome to Highcroft Surgery

With this website we aim to help you find all the information you need at the click of a mouse. We use it to keep you updated on practice developments and news such as results of patient  surveys, health campaigns and new services.

*****

Staff Protected Learning Time (PLT) Thursday 8th February 2024

Please note that Highcroft Surgery will be closed on Thursday 8th February from 12.30pm for staff training and will reopen at 08:00 on Friday 9th February.

If you require medical attention when the surgery is closed, please call the NEMS Out of Hours Service on 111 who will be able to help you. If you experience any life threatening emergencies such as chest pain, breathing difficulties or require urgent medical attention, please call 999.

***** 

We are pleased to welcome our new Practice Nurse, Karen Liddell, who has joined us on a permanent basis working a Tuesday and Thursday, full day, and a Wednesday evening.

 Karen is a well experienced Practice Nurse and had been locuming at the surgery for the past year. She will take a lead in baby immunisations and cervical smears.

 We are also pleased to welcome back our Practice Nurse, Bethan Bough, who will be returning from maternity leave in the second to last week of January. Bethan will be working a Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.

 Bethan is a well experienced Practice Nurse who will be taking a lead in respiratory conditions.

 We are happy to have them both as part of our team.

*****

New Patient Registration 

Are you new to the area? Simply fill out our online GMS1 form to get registered:

https://bit.ly/3MhvEG3

When you have completed all of the details, click on the "Send" button to mail your form to us. When you visit the surgery for the first time you will be asked to sign the form to confirm that the details are correct.

Click here to know more about our appointments booking system.

*****

GP Community Pharmacy Consultation Service

GP CPCS is now available at Highcroft Surgery. It is a new NHS digital GP referral method that offers patients the option of having a face-to-face appointment or remote consultation with a pharmacist (usually the same day) following an initial triage by a practice care navigator for a range of minor illnesses. Should the patient need to be escalated or referred to an alternative service, the pharmacist can arrange this and will also share a summary with the GP practice of the consultation for the patient’s medical record.

The aim of the service is to help alleviate pressure on GP appointments and emergency departments, in addition to harnessing the skills and medicines knowledge of pharmacists.

*****

Positive patient feedback received regarding the eConsult service

We have received fantastic feedback regarding our eConsult service with 100% of patients satisfied with the service, 100% of patients who would recommend the eConsult service, 100% of patients who did not have to contact the surgery a week later in relation to their health complaint and 100% of patients who were contacted by the stated response time! Thank you!

*****

Non-NHS work - updated 3/03/2022

Due to current demand in General Practice, there will be no timescales for Highcroft Surgery to action non-NHS work. This includes, but is not limited to, insurance/medical reports and private letters. If you need any private work carried out, Highcroft Surgery may be able to complete this for you, however, this may not be done in the usual 6-8 week turnaround.

We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

*****

Health Kiosk machine

Highcroft Surgery has an Health Kiosk machine located in the larger waiting room area. This machine is used for patients to attend the surgery at their convenience to measure their blood pressure, height, weight, blood oxygen levels, pulse rate, rhythm reducing the need to book an appointment with the health care assistant. This saves time for patients on waiting for appointments and efficiently uploads the patients’ data to their medical records instantly.

 If you have any queries regarding this, please discuss with one of the receptionists.

*****

Patient Participation Group

A Patient Participation Group (PPG) is where a group of patients registered at a surgery join together to support the well running of the practice. PPG members assist the surgery to support the patients, clinical staff and administrative staff.

Your experiences matter and can contribute to bring good ideas into the surgery. PPG members also gain a better understanding of the NHS and how General Practice runs on a day to day basis.

All patient views are important and will be listened to. It may not be possible to act on every suggestion, however, all feedback is valuable.

If you would like to join our PPG or find out further information, please contact our reception team for further details. PPG meetings usually occur every 4-6 weeks and are held in the practice. If you are unable to attend in person, accommodation can be made to join via an online link.

*****

New telephone system funded by Highcroft Surgery installed (8/10/21)

We are pleased to announce that the new telephone system installation funded by Highcroft Surgery has now been completed. Please save the Surgery phone number : 0115 883 2330 in your contacts so that if we call, you would know it's your Surgery. Please continue to use online services e.g eConsult and the NHS App wherever possible such as for ordering repeat prescriptions online, as this is still the fastest way.

If you have any comments or suggestions about the new telephone system, please feel free to write to us by clicking on this form.

*****

eConsult appointment booking service

*Please note that you may receive an appointment from the practice the same day that you send in your eConsult. Please check your preferred contact method throughout the day for an update from the practice*

Highcroft Surgery offers eConsult appointment booking service. This is an online consultation service that is available between 7:00am and 6:30pm Monday to Friday and allows you to contact your GP for help and advice. When the daily safe clinical capacity is reached, eConsult service will be turned off until 7 am the next working day. It will ask you to fill out a form asking you questions about your condition, symptoms or details of a request for administrative help, such as a sick note or a GP letter. If you do not have access to the internet or a device that would allow you to use eConsult or if the eConsult service is turned off, please call the surgery as usual and a reception team member will take you through a brief health questionnaire and complete it with you over the phone.

Please click here for frequently asked questions about eConsult. Please note there are several clinics that patients can self-refer to. Click here for self-referral services available locally.

eConsults top tips for patients-

• Please try to give as much information as possible and answer the template in full.
• Select the most appropriate template for your query-otherwise you will be asked questions that may not apply to you.
• Please try to avoid using the ‘general advice template’ unless there is not another suitable template for you.
• If you have an administrative query or a follow-up query or individual piece of information to pass on to us from a previous consultation please select the “Request sick notes and GP letters, or ask about recent tests” button.
• If you have a rash or skin condition, please attach a photo to the eConsult when you submit it, as often this means we can manage your condition without having to bring you in to the surgery.
• If you don’t have access to internet or a device that would allow you to use eConsult, you should speak to a member of reception team who can help to complete an eConsult over the telephone.
• If you have any feedback about our eConsult service please feel free to complete and send us a feedback form by clicking here.

If you need some help using technology and connecting with family, friends and support networks online please click here

***** 

Facebook page 

We have a Facebook page for the Surgery. For up-to-date news please check out our Facebook page. If you Like our page, news items we post will show on your Facebook feed, keeping you up-to-date. You can also access eConsult online consultation system by clicking on the ' Book now ' button.

Visit us on Facebook

https://facebook.com/HighcroftSurgery

*****

Self referral services

Most referrals need to come from a GP but there are several clinics you are able to self-refer to. This means you do not need to see your GP first before getting help. Please click here for more information.

*****

Blood test appointments & blood test results

Please click here for more information about booking blood test appointments and how to check blood test results.

*****

Cervical Screening

Cervical screening is one of the best ways to protect women from cervical cancer. Cervical screening is not a test for cancer, it is a test to help prevent cancer. Cervical screening checks a sample of cells from your cervix for certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV). These types of HPV can cause abnormal changes to the cells in your cervix and are called "high risk" types of HPV. If these types of HPV are found during screening (a HPV positive result), the sample of cells is then checked for abnormal changes. If abnormal cells are not treated, they may turn into cervical cancer.

HPV is the name for a very common group of viruses. Most people will get some type of HPV during their lives. It is very common and nothing to feel ashamed or embarrassed about. Some types of HPV (called "high risk" types) can cause cervical cancer. In most cases your body will get rid of HPV without it causing any problems, but sometimes HPV can stay in your body for a long time. If high risk types of HPV stay in your body, they can cause changes to the cells in your cervix. These changes may become cervical cancer if not treated. 

Cervical screening is a choice. It is your choice if you want to go for cervical screening but it is one of the best ways to protect you from cervical cancer. You may have some light bleeding or spotting after cervical screening but the process will take no more than five minutes.

Please do not delay your cervical screening. Please fill out an online eConsult form, which can be found above, and you will be booked in with one of our friendly Nurses. Alternatively, please call the surgery on 0115 8832330 and an appointment will be made for you.

*****

New NHS.uk social care guide

Patients who need help with day-to-day living because of illness or disability can now get information and support online. There is new guide to social care on the NHS website that contains information for people who might need social care.

Visit the Social Care and Support guide 

Extra evening and weekend appointments now available in local area

Did you know that you can now book routine GP and Nurse appointments in the evenings, at weekends and over bank holidays in your local area?  Pre-bookable appointments are available Monday-Friday, 6.30pm-8pm, plus weekends and bank holidays and you can be seen by a GP, Nurse or Healthcare Assistant.

To book your appointment, contact Highcroft surgery during normal opening hours. Please be aware that the appointment may take place at another GP Practice in the area.

If you need urgent medical advice when the surgery is closed, you should continue to call NHS 111.

When attending for appointment at Highcroft Surgery after 6.30 pm or weekends please use the buzzer which is located on the right hand side of the entrance door.

__________________________________________________________________________________________

Carers

Are you a Carer?

If you are please let us know as we may be able to help you.

You are an unpaid carer if you support a family member or friend who is ill, disabled, elderly, has poor mental health or misuses substances. You are a Young Carer if you are under 18 in this role. The support you offer may be emotional or include shopping, cooking, dealing with medication, or attend medical appointments with the person you care for. The person you care for could live with you, in their own home, or even in residential care.

It is important that you let your medical practice know that you look after someone. You can be added to the Practice 'Carer Register' and gain access to information and support; this includes access to a named Carer Champion.

A Carer Champion is a staff member at your Practice who supports carers. They are the key point of contact and the ‘voice’ for carers. Julie Corrigan and Joanne Croft are the Practice's Carer Champions at Highcroft Surgery.

As a carer, you are entitled to an annual flu vaccination and a health check. You are also entitled to a Carers Assessment, you would need to contact the Nottinghamshire Carers Hub for this (details below).

Nottinghamshire Carers Association

Nottinghamshire Carers Association works with schools, health and social care professionals to raise awareness of Carers.

https://nottinghamshirecarers.co.uk/

We are supporting organisations to identify Carers and Young Carers and offer the best support possible. Contact Nottinghamshire Carers Association on info@nottinghamshirecarers.co.uk

Nottinghamshire Carers Hub

Carers Trust East Midlands provides timely, personalised information and support for Carers via the Nottinghamshire Carers Hub to make caring for a loved one easier.

Contact Nottinghamshire Carers Hub on:

0115 824 8824 Lines are open Monday to Friday, 9am until 5pm You can speak to an experienced support worker who will provide a personalised service that meets your individual needs.

email: hub@carerstrustem.org 

web: www.carerstrustem.org/hub 

Nottinghamshire County Council support for Carers

https://www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/care/adult-social-care/carers/support-for-carers

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Where else can you be Seen and Treated?

Please remember the Urgent Care Centre in Nottingham is funded and supported by all the Nottingham GPs and is available to all patients for urgent non-life threatening conditions.  Call them on 0115 883 8500 or visit Nottingham Urgent Care Centre website for more information. The Urgent Care Centre is open every day of the year including weekends and bank holidays between 7 am and 9 pm. You do not need an appointment, just walk in. There are also many conditions that can be treated by pharmacies. Ask your local pharmacist for advice.

Visit www.nhs.uk/choosewell for more information on choosing the right NHS service for you.

Visit https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/ which provides a Health A-Z guide to treatment and conditions.

Visit ' Get medical help near you ' to answer questions about your symptoms and depending on the situation you'll:

• find out what local service can help you
• be connected to a nurse, emergency dentist, pharmacist or GP
• get a face-to-face appointment if you need one
• be told how to get any medicine you need
• get self-care advice