A supplier to the NHS has advised us of a global shortage of some equipment used for taking blood tests.

 https://www.cheshireccg.nhs.uk/news/news-stories/national-blood-bottle-shortage/ 

Great Sutton Medical Centre operates a zero tolerance policy to any abuse or bad behaviour towards its staff, doctors or other patients. This could be physical, verbal or online abuse.

GPs and staff have a right to care for others without fear of being attacked, abused or treated badly in any way. To successfully provide our services a mutual respect between staff and patients has to be in place. All our staff aim to be polite, helpful, and sensitive to all patients’ individual needs and circumstances. We would respectfully remind patients that very often staff could be confronted with a multitude of varying and sometimes difficult tasks and situations, all at the same time.
However, aggressive behaviour, be it physical, verbal or online, will not be tolerated and may result in you being removed from the practice list and, in extreme cases, the Police being contacted.

In order for the practice to maintain good relations with our patients we would like to ask all our patients to read and take note of the occasional types of behaviour we see that are unacceptable:

·  Using bad language, shouting or raising of voices at practice staff.

·  Any physical violence towards any member of our team or other pa-tients.

·  Verbal abuse towards staff or patients in any form including shouting.

·  Racist, xenophobic, sexist, homophobic or other intolerant Language, discrimination or sexual harassment will never be tolerated.

·  Persistent or unrealistic demands that cause stress to staff will not be accepted. Requests will be met wherever possible and explanations given when they cannot be met.

·  Being perceived to bully or manipulate a staff member to obtain some-thing.

·  Causing damage to, stealing or not returning practice equipment from the practice’s premises, staff or patients.

·  Obtaining drugs and/or medical services fraudulently.

A lateral flow test ( the quick home testing kit) is not effective at ruling out COVID if you have symptoms. If you have any COVID symptoms ( that is ANY cough) you must arrange a PCR (send away) test by going on the website or calling 119.

If you have been told you need a blood test by your GP Practice, you can book your appointment online by following this link, www.coch.nhs.uk/blood-test-booking, and clicking the ‘Stanney Lane’ option. Your GP receptionist can also do this for you.

Please note that the new Phlebotomy Service does not have a telephone number. The telephone number for the dressing service previously located at Stanney Lane Clinic has moved with that service to their new location and therefore you will not be able to access the new Phlebotomy Service via this number.

For more information please visit our website:
https://oneellesmereport.co.uk/new-phlebotomy-blood-test-service-for-ellesmere-port/ 

The Friday Blog by Dr Francey 1st April

Please follow this link to find useful Face Mask Exemption Cards and COVID-19 cards to support those people who may not be able to wear face coverings.

To reduce your chances of catching COVID-19 and reduce pressure on your local GP practice during this busy time, appointments will be carried out over the phone or through video consultation unless there is a clinical need for you to come into the practice. This will help minimise risk while continuing to ensure people get the care and advice they need.

Coronavirus Letters from the Goverment

GSMC Will now be checking your temperature as you arrive at the surgery.

If your Temperature is 37.8 or above and you have a routine appointment with a Nurse or HCA you will be asked to return home and arrange a COVID test through the NHS 111 website.

You will also need to re-book your appointment.

If your Temperature is 37.8 or above and you have an appointment with a GP or ANP, you will be asked for your telephone number and asked to wait in your car.

Reception will then speak to the Duty GP and advise you of the next course of action.

Please Click here for further information.

Be Safe Leaflet

Please Click here for further information.

If you have symptoms associated with coronavirus including a new continuous cough, a high temperature or a loss of/change in smell or taste you must self isolate for 7 days.  If a member of your household has any of these symptoms the whole household must self isolate for 10 days. Do not book a GP appointment or attend your GP Practice.

If your symptoms are serious, or get worse, NHS 111 has an online coronavirus service that can tell you if you need further medical help and advise you what to do. 

Only call 111 direct if you cannot go online, or are advised to do so by the online service. 
For the latest Covid-19 advice please visit www.nhs.uk/coronavirus

Please note the surgery is still OPEN for URGENT medical problems

The NHS in Cheshire and Public Health England (PHE) are well prepared for outbreaks of new infectious diseases. The NHS has put in place measures to protect patients, our community and NHS staff while ensuring as many services as possible are available to the public.

If you have symptoms associated with coronavirus including a new continuous cough and a high temperature, you are advised to stay at home for 7 days.
Please do not book a GP appointment or attend your GP practice.

If you live with other people, they should stay at home for at least 10 days, to avoid spreading the infection outside the home. After 10 days, anyone you live with who does not have symptoms can return to their normal routine.
But, if anyone in your home gets symptoms, they should stay at home for 7 days from the day their symptoms start. Even if it means they're at home for longer than 10 days. The most up-to-date public guidance is always online at www.nhs.uk/coronavirus
If your symptoms are serious, or get worse, NHS 111 has an online coronavirus service that can tell you if you need further medical help and advise you what to do. 
Only call 111 direct if you are advised to do so by the online service or you cannot go online.

With patients' needs at the heart of everything we do, our website has been designed to make it easy for you to gain instant access to the information you need. As well as specific practice details such as opening hours and how to register, you’ll find a wealth of useful pages covering a wide range of health issues along with links to other relevant medical organisations.

Access

Our building is accessible to those with mobility or other impairments and is clearly signed where facilities exist.  Please advise our reception staff should you experience any difficulty or need assistance.

Ordering your repeat prescription:
It is better for your GP practice if you order your repeat prescription electronically using the NHS App (or another online service such as Patient Access). People who can’t use an electronic method themselves can ask for a family member or trusted friend/neighbour to be nominated to order electronically on their behalf.
 
Please order when you have a supply of 7 days of your usual medicines left, to give the practice and the pharmacy time to issue the prescription and dispense the items.
 
When you order your repeat prescription, be aware that practices will only be issuing the usual amount of medicines (usually enough for a month) and at the usual frequency – please don’t ask for more than the usual amount or request your prescription more often.
 
Getting your repeat prescription to a Pharmacy
Most prescriptions are sent electronically from your GP Practice to a pharmacy for dispensing. You may be asked to nominate the pharmacy you would like to use to support this system. If someone else (e.g. a family member or trusted friend/neighbour) is collecting your prescription for you, you can ask your GP Practice to change to a pharmacy that is more convenient to them.
 
Some patients may be set up for a system called “repeat dispensing” where your doctor approves several months of items (between 3 and 12 month’s supply) to be dispensed at monthly intervals by your pharmacy. For more information on this click here
 
Collecting your dispensed items from the pharmacy:
Please allow around 5 days from ordering your prescription before attempting to collect your items.
 
It is helpful if the pharmacy has your mobile number (or a mobile number for the person collecting on your behalf) so they can text you when your prescription is ready.
 
If you have previously had your medicines delivered by the pharmacy, they should still be delivered as normal.
 
If you have previously collected your prescription yourself, but are no longer able to do (e.g. you are shielded or self-isolating) please ask your family and friends to collect your medicines for you.
 
If you don’t have anyone you can ask to collect your prescription please let your pharmacy know, as pharmacies are working very hard to expand their delivery services and they may be able to deliver to you.
 
If the pharmacy doesn’t have any capacity to deliver to you and you don’t have someone personal to you who can collect your medicines, you can go to the following websites and ask for help;
 

Click here if you live in Cheshire West

Covid-19 – Notice under Regulation 3(4) of the Health Service (Control of Patient Information) Regulations 2002