FIRST CONTACT PHYSIO....
The role of the First Contact Physiotherapists (FCPs) in Primary Care is to assess patients with an acute (less than 6 weeks) onset of soft tissue, muscle and joint pain and to decide on the most appropriate management pathway.
If your problem is appropriate we can signpost you to our First Contact Physiotherapists without seeing a GP for referral- please ask at reception for details.
CORONAVIRUS - DO NOT GO TO YOUR GP SURGERY, PHARMACY OR HOSPITAL.....
If you think you have coronavirus: Please DO NOT go to a GP surgery, community pharmacy or hospital. Click to use (online coronavirus service) https://111.nhs.uk/covid-19/ to find out what to do. Only call 111 if you cannot get help online, stay indoors and avoid close contact with other people. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
PRESCRIPTION ORDER LINE OPENING HOURS HAVE CHANGED.....
From Monday 20th June the prescription order line opening hours are changing.... The new opening hours are Monday to Friday 1.30pm-4.15pm. The line will remain closed on a Thursday.
ORDER YOUR PRESCRIPTION ONLINE
The quickest way to order your prescription is ONLINE via the NHS App or the Surgery Website. Alternatively
- Drop your repeat slip into the letter box at the front of the surgery
- Re-order when you collect your medication
- Phone the prescription line on 01833 690424. (Note: Please do not call the appointments line to order your prescription)
CARE NAVIGATION.....
Care Navigation is a new way for your local GP practice to help you get to the right support. Across County Durham, all GP practices want to make sure their patients are seen quickly by the right healthcare professional. We know that when you are not feeling well you just want to feel better quickly.
GP practice staff have received specialist training developed by clinicians, to help them provide you with information about choices you have to see an appropriate person for your healthcare needs. Sometimes a GP isn’t the best person to see. Within your GP practice for example a Practice Nurse (for matters including dressings, immunisations or ear syringes) or a Nurse Practitioner (who can examine, diagnose and prescribe) may be better. You could also be directed to a healthcare professional in the community such as a community pharmacist, optician or sexual health nurse.
So when you contact your GP practice, receptionists may ask you a few questions to help 'navigate' you to the best person to help you quickly. They won’t try to diagnose your problem, but you may need to tell them a little bit about why you are calling. You don’t’ have to of course, the choice is yours and you can always still request to see your GP, but you may be able to be seen faster by someone who is able to provide the right care for you using ‘Care Navigation’ to help.
TALK BEFORE YOU WALK - TELEPHONE NHS: 111
If you are unwell during the day; Monday to Fridays, 8am to 6pm then please ring us at the surgery.
When GP surgeries are closed (between 6pm and 8am) Monday - Friday and at weekends, patients should ring NHS 111, where they will be seen based on their need and signposted to the most appropriate service. This could be a GP practice close to where they live, known as a Primary Care Service, or an Out Of Hours Service. An Out of Hours Service from 8pm - 8am Monday to Friday and on weekends will remain and be provided at Bishop Auckland Hospital. Instead of the Walk In or Urgent Care Centres there will be Minor Injury Unit at Bishop Auckland Hospital, 24 hours a day 365 days a year. These Minor Injury Units will provide X-ray facilities 8am - 8pm daily and will treat for example, broken bones, strains and sprains, minor burns or scalds. Patients are being advised to call 111 to get an appointment to reduce their waiting times.
You should have received a leaflet delivered to your home with details about the range of services available and a copy can be downloaded here: Urgent Care Pocket Guide Leaflet.
HELP US HELP YOU - Cancer Campaign.....
NORTHERN CANCER ALLIANCE CAMPAIGN - HELP US HELP YOU - As part of ongoing work to encourage members of the public not to delay seeking help with worrying cancer symptoms, The Northern Cancer Alliance (NCA) have this week started a four-week campaign of specific themed messages. The campaign can be found here https://www.northerncanceralliance.nhs.uk/helpushelpyou/
NEED HELP??.....
National Domestic Violence Helpline: 0808 2000 247 https://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/
NSPCC helpline: 0808 800 5000 If you're worried about a child, even if you're unsure, contact NSPCC professional counsellors for help, advice and support.
Childline 0800 1111: Offers free, confidential advice and support for any child 18 years or under, whatever the worry.
MIND: Mental Health Support with specific advice on ‘Coronavirus and your wellbeing’. www.mind.org.uk
YoungMinds: Supporting children and young people and their parents/carers with their mental health and wellbeing. Specific advice on managing self-isolation and anxiety about coronavirus. https://youngminds.org.uk
ICON: Babies cry: You can cope. http://iconcope.org/
SafeLives: Specific resources for domestic abuse and COVID. http://safelives.org.uk/news-views/domesticabuse-and-covid-19
IRISi interventions: irisi.org/iris/find-your-local-iris-site/