URGENT NEWS ABOUT BLOOD TESTS
There is a national shortage of blood bottles, which is expected to last until at least 17th September 2021. This is affecting every healthcare provider.
We have therefore been told by NHS to postpone all non-urgent blood tests.
We will:
- Review all of the required blood tests to determine those that can safely be delayed
- Advise you if we feel that you urgently require having a blood test taken to assist your treatment
- Add your name to a waiting list to rearrange your blood test
- Advise you when the situation changes.
FLU VACCINE BOOKINGS NOW AVAILABLE
IF YOU ARE ELIGBLE YOU CAN NOW BOOK ON LINE ALL OVER 65 YEARS AND UNDER 65 IF YOU HAVE COPD/ASTHMA/DIABETES/LEARNING DIFFICULTIES HUGE CLINIC RUNNING THE MORNING OF 18th SEPTEMBER 2021
Our staff are working hard in these difficult times delivering the vaccine program and seeing patients, so remember to be #BeKind to our staff they are doing their best during difficult times.
We are still operating under the health & Social Care Guidelines which requires you to still wear a mask and maintain social distancing in the surgery.
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Covid numbers are rising and we all need to be vigilant about the symptoms. Lateral Flow testing is important for picking up asymptomatic infections but it is a screen test NOT a diagnostic test. If you have any symptoms of Covid (Cough, high temp or Change in smell/taste) then you must immediately isolate yourself and your family and arrange a proper PCR test. A lateral flow test is not enough. It must be a PCR test for anyone symptomatic.
You can arrange a PCR test via 119 or the NHS website. It is free to do.
It is worth noting that the new Delta variant that is currently the predominant strain in the UK, often starts with slightly different symptoms of a headache and/or a sore throat. If you have any of these symptoms please consider doing a PCR test.
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Welcome to New Pond Row Surgery
PLEASE DO NOT COME TO THE SURGERY UNLESS YOU ARE INVITED
We are operating in a covid safe space and this is difficult due the the layout of the building and limited space we have to do this. We are offering a triage style appointment system and once you have been contacted by a clinician they will agree with you whether you need to be seen at a face to face appointment. If you have a face to face appointment please be aware you will need to wear a mask our clinicians will be wearing PPE and we require you to use the hand sanitiser available throughout the surgery. You will need to remain socially distanced unless the clinician needs to examine you. We have limited capacity in our waiting room, we are prioritising the waiting room for elderly and frail, people with special needs and their carer and for parents with young children.
If you are given a face to face appointment you will be given instructions at the time of the booking either verbally or via a text to your mobile phone. Please wait in your car and follow the instructions given to you previously by alerting reception via the special phone number provided to you ring reception and let them know you are waiting. Where there is no mobile phone don't worry we will make alternative arrangements with you and those who do not normally travel by car, you may be asked to wait outside, please do not turn up early for your appointment only arrive at the time allocated, if we are running late we will let you know.
All prescription queries will be dealt with over the phone or via your pharmacist, you can request prescriptions either via the pharmacists, by placing a request in our box out side of the building or via our website or the NHS APP https://www.nhs.uk/app
We are also offering video consultations please see this guide to help you prepare Guide to Video consultations.
We are opening our front door but please be aware we will not deal with enquiries at the desk these must still be done over the phone.
If you require urgent Medical Advice out of surgery hours
Please call NHS 111 service
Covid testing 119
Please call 999 if you feel it may be life threatening
It is our pleasure to offer good care in the heart of the community. We are committed to providing the best possible care with the resources available to us. We aim to be Safe, Effective, Responsive, Caring and well-led as directed by our governing framework and our regulators the Care Quality Commission and we have been rated as good by the Care Quality Commission
Our duty of care extends widely and we believe that every child and vulnerable adult has the right to be safe. We are committed to safeguarding all our patients and staff. If you have personal concerns or would like to share concerns about welfare of child or adult, we have a dedicated member of our team who, supported by our partner organisations, can work with you.
Formal statements required for us to remain compliant:-
New Pond Row has been rated as good by CQC CQC Report
Our Website is changing constantly and we welcome your feed back
If you feel you need to complain or send a compliment please click on complaints process for further information Complaints procedure
We are continuing to develop our surgery website as a way of presenting all our patients with an up to date resource for all information relating to our practice. We will keep it current with any news, developments & details that are relevant to the practice & our patients.
IMAGES SENT TO THE PRACTICE: Please be aware we do not want to receive images of children under the age of 16 years of age. We recommend that online consultations, undertaken on behalf of children under the age of 16 or vulnerable adults, requiring visual diagnostics (image or video) of an intimate area (genitals, anus, breasts) are not undertaken.
PLEASE NOTE ANY IMAGES SENT TO THE PRACTICE WILL BE STORED IN YOUR CLINICAL RECORDS PERMANENTLY
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Link for patients who's first language is not English advice on coronavirus
(Site updated 13/09/2021)