Community Pharmacy project- launch day 9th February 2022
We are participating in a new approach to improve access for patients to GP appointments. The aim is to direct patients to the most appropriate healthcare professional, which may be a GP or a pharmacist.
From 09/02/22 if your symptoms could be resolved by a booked consultation with the pharmacist instead of the GP, you will be given a same-day referral to a pharmacy of your choice.
We think this is a good thing. Once you see how great your local pharmacist is – they are highly trained and skilled clinicians experienced in treating minor illnesses – we don’t think you’ll look back.
This will also help us to free up GP appointments for people with more complex health needs and ensure that everyone gets treated at the right time, by the right healthcare professional.
We are keen to hear what you think and will be listening to your comments and feedback about your experience of using this service.
To review commonly asked questions about scheme click here Commonly asked questions about Community Pharmacy Scheme
WE HAVE EXTENDED HOURS PLEASE ASK RECEPTION FOR THE TIMINGS
PATIENT PARTICIPATION GROUP
We now have a virtual PPG : To register simply enter your details here: http://www.myppg.co.uk/register (copy and paste this onto your browser)
The PPG forum is not for clinical issues or complaints, but this is a great way for patients' voices to be heard, so please do post.
APPOINTMENTS
You will be able to book a Doctors appointment one month in advance.
You can access allocated appointments via your online system, over the phone or at reception.
There will be a variety of 10 minute and 15 minute appointments to best suit your needs. 10 minute on the day appointments are handy for any on day problems that occur. This system will work alongside the old system whereby you can book triage, on the day, and Nurses appointments as per normal.
HERE Extended Hours Appointments
This is a pre –bookable NHS service you may have recently been offered an appointment at a Medical Practice to see a GP or other healthcare professional in the evenings or weekends.
Evening and weekend appointments are now available to book via. In order to utilise one of these appointments, you will be required to give consent for access to your notes to both read and add to them.
Appointment times will be between 18:30 - 20:30 Monday to Friday, Saturday 08:00 - 14:00 and 9:00 -13:00 Sunday’s.
Same day appointment will be available on weekends only Please call NHS 111 who may offer you an appointment at one of the Extended Hours hubs
Cancellation or amendments to extended hours appointments must be made via HERE only:
HERE Cancellation line: 07540 745 730
HERE website: http://www.extendedhoursservice.co.uk/
Patient Confidentiality and Care Data
How information about you helps us to provide better care
Confidential information from your medical records can be used by the NHS to improve the services offered so we can provide the best possible care for everyone.
This information along with your postcode and NHS number but not your name, are sent to a secure system where it can be linked with other health information.
This allows those planning NHS services or carrying out medical research to use information from different parts of the NHS in a way which does not identify you.
You have a choice. If you are happy for your information to be used in this way you do not have to do anything.
If you wish to opt out you can go to www.nhs.uk/your-nhs-data-matters for more information and set a 'national data opt-out' or simply call 0300 3035678. Unfortunately this 'opt-ou' can no longer be set by a GP surgery.
More information on how the NHS manages and respects your data can be found at www.nhs.uk/your-nhs-data-matters and also at http://www.nhs.uk/caredata. Please contact us if you have any questions.
GDPR
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is the new, Europe-wide law which comes into effect on 25th May 2018. It will be replacing the Data Protection Act 1998 in the UK. The GDPR is an opportunity for every organisation to give individuals (in our case patients) more control and rights over their personal data. The aim is to protect all EU citizens from privacy and data breaches in an increasingly data-driven world.
CQC
We recently had a CQC focused visit which resulted in Ardingly Court Surgery being given a 'good 'rating - CQC focused report
URINE SAMPLES
From now on we cannot accept urine samples unless requested by a health care professional. All patients must fill in a sample form (found at reception) or it will not be accepted. All samples must be brought to the surgery by 1 pm, we cannot process them after this time. Thank you.
We hope you will view our excellent and colourful newsletter, which contains many great pieces of information, including self-help and self-care methods