IMPORTANT
CORONAVIRUS
For all up to date information on the Coronavirus please follow the links below
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-information-for-the-public
Information for employers and businesses
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19
If you need a sick note relating to coronavirus
111.nhs.uk/isolation-note/isolation-note
Information on social distancing and vulnerable people
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-on-social-distancing-and-for-vulnerable-people
Guidance on shielding and protecting people defined on medical grounds as extremely vulnerable
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19
Stay at home guidance for households with possible coronavirus
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance/stay-at-home-guidance-for-households-with-possible-coronavirus-covid-19-infection
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and requests for sick notes (Med3)
Dear Patient/s
We are receiving a lot of enquiries about sick notes from patients. This is meaning that our telephone lines are blocked for patients who are unwell. We have produced the following guidance that we hope will answer your questions.
You may want to obtain information about the following categories:
Personally affected – isolating
For any period of illness less than seven days, you are able to complete a self-certification certificate and provide this to your employer. A SC2 form can be downloaded from the internet. You do not need to contact your GP.
Personally affected - remaining unwell for over seven days
If patients remain unwell and unfit to work over seven days, advice is to visit www.111.nhs.uk and complete an online self-assessment. The patient may be asked to call 111 for further advice on the next steps regarding their illness/ fitness to work. You do not need to contact their GP.
Isolating as per government advice
In light of the current Coronavirus situation, it is inevitable that a number of patients may be required to isolate themselves at home, for example due to the nature of recent travel, or because other members of the household are showing symptoms even in the absence of any symptoms of an illness. In these cases, your GP will not be able to issue a sick note as the time off work is not due to an illness, and isn’t affecting your ability to work, but rather is a precaution to avoid transmission of any illness that is yet to produce symptoms.
We therefore expect your employer to be sympathetic if you are required to self-isolate for 14 days and to understand that the reason for this is to protect the welfare of your work colleagues and the wider community.
In these circumstances you can obtain a sick note for your employer if needed from the NHS 111 online service:
https://111.nhs.uk/isolation-note
At risk group – following government advice
Employers are responsible for putting in place arrangements for home/remote working where this is possible. Where it is not, the employee may self-certify and return to work following the relevant absence which their employer may authorise as per government advice. Where they do become unwell during or after this time, point 1 and 2 applies. You do not need to contact your GP.
Whilst we appreciate this may cause some difficulties between you and your employer, equally GPs have a responsibility to prioritise the assessment and management of the healthcare needs of patients who are acutely unwell, rather than spending time dealing with requests for sick notes, particularly when they aren’t in a position to issue one.
Further guidance for employees and employers can be found on the gov.uk website.
We hope that this information is useful.
Many thanks
Sandy Lane Surgery Team
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BLOOD TEST RESULTS
You may not necessarily be contacted if your test results are normal
but if the GP needs to speak to you or you need to repeat a test
you may receive a message via text or email
so please ensure we have your up to date contact details on file.
PATIENT SUPPORT TEAM
Our new service for patients with a life changing diagnosis for more information click this link to our services page Patient Support Team
1 problem = 1 consultation
We know that getting an appointment with the doctor is sometimes difficult and that some patients save their problems up which result presenting their doctor/APN/NP with multiple problems at one consultation.
Each appointment is only 10 minutes long which is not a lot of time even for one problem as it involves
Taking a history
Performing examinations
Advising/treating
Completion of forms
Dictating referrals if appropriate
Presenting the clinician with multiple problems could result in mistakes and things being missed as the consultation will be rushed.
Clinicians cannot see huge numbers of patients with multiple problems and continue to practice safely and effectively.
GP appointments are a limited resource and we would kindly ask you to use the service with care and consideration. Please do not be offended if the doctor asks you to re-book for other problems as they will be working in your best interest in order to keep you safe.
Each appointment is only 10 minutes, we kindly ask that all patients try to stick to our ‘1 problem = 1 appointment’ policy.
The main reason for this is CLINICAL SAFETY
Thank you
Treatments on Prescription
Chorley and South Ribble and Greater Preston CCG's have recently provided guidance to all prescribers within the CCG's on the prescribing of gluten free food and medication considered as low priority. This includes:
Treatments used for minor ailments, which are in nature self-limiting
Treatments where there is insufficient evidence of clinical benefit or cost effectiveness
Preparations where there may not be a clinical need to treat
Your GP will use the guidance to determine if you are exempt before making any changes. Exemptions will depend on the individual product or type of medication.
CQC Inspection Report
The practice was inspected on 1 November 2016. We are pleased to say that we are rated as GOOD with some areas that are OUTSTANDING! If you would like to read the report please click on the CQC link at the bottom of the home page.
Dementia Buddies Scheme
A new scheme has been launched by Lancashire county Council. they have introduced the Guardian Angel Dementia Buddies Scheme in order to safeguard people with dementia and provide reassurance to carers and families.
If this is something you would be interested in you or a family member can contact the scheme directly by following the steps on this leaflet for DIRECT REFERRAL FORM. You do not need to be referred by your GP.
Please review Sandy Lane
If you are pleased with the way you have been treated at Sandy Lane please add a review on NHS Choices Website Add your review here
Diabetes Eye Screening information
Important information about changes to your local Diabetes Eye Screening
Please Read
Your Allocated GP
When you first registered at Sandy Lane Surgery you were were given an allocated named GP, however our surgery policy is that you can choose which GP you prefer to see and you are not tied to your allocated named GP in any way.
The government have decided that you should know who your allocated GP is and be able to request this information from the surgery.
If you wish to know who your allocated GP is please telephone 01772 214700 after 11 am or email sls.admin@nhs.net
If you are registered for Patient Access you can send a message requesting this information.
When we are closed
Click here for information on When we are closed
How we use your health records:
Click Here for more information
Complete our Friends and Family test
The NHS wants to ensure that you have the best possible experience of care. The Friends and Family test is a way of gathering your feedback about this experience celebrating good practice and identifying opportunities to make improvements to practice services. The Friends and Family test asks the following question:
"How likely are you to recommend our GP practice to friends and family if they needed similar care or treatment?"
You will be invited to respond to the question by choosing one of six options. and may be asked a follow up question.
Thinking about your recent experiences of our service we would be grateful if you could provide us with your feedback by clicking on the "Patient Survey" option on the home page.
Feedback forms are also available in practice from the reception desk.
Stop Smoking Help
If you are a smoker and would like help to quit tel: 0800 328 6297 or 01772 644474 or email: stopsmoking@lancashirecare.uk
QUIT DROP IN Centers near you
Worried about memory loss?
Memory loss can have many causes including getting older, stress, anxiety or depression. Some medicines have side effects that can cause memory loss. In some cases, memory loss might be a sign of dementia.
Diagnosing dementia early is important; you will be able to get the right help, treatments, support and plan for the future.
If you are worried talk to your GP - they will be able to help you.
Please see the link to the Alzheimer's Society under Useful links.
Patient Reference Group
Are you interested in finding out more about Sandy Lane Surgery?
Would you like to influence the development of local health services?
Why not sign up to the surgery Patient Reference Group. Click on the link to the right of this page to complete the registration form.
The practice has completed its PRG Annual Report and this is available to view by clicking on the link on the right hand side of the page.
Childhood Immunisations:
When immunising a child either written or verbal consent must be given by the person with parental responsibility.
However, the parents can arrange for someone else (e.g. grandparent) to bring the child, but written parental consent is required on every occasion they attend for immunisation.
The person giving the Immunisation must be satisfied that parental consent has been obtained at each visit. If in doubt, the vaccination will be postponed.