Novel Coronavirus – Covid 19
More advice regarding Covid 19 can be found on www.nhs.net
Latest information about the spread of Covid 19
In order to ensure you are given an appropriate appointment slot our receptionists will ask some basic information about the nature of the problem. They will usually need just a few words rather than details. They are all trained care navigators so may be able to direct you elsewhere to more appropriate sources of advice such as the pharmacy or other resources which can be accessed directly.
In line with current public health guidance you will only be able to book a telephone appointment when you contact the surgery. This may be on the same day or a few days in advance depending on the nature of the problem. We are not able to give you an exact time, but you should be informed as to whether you will be contacted in the morning or afternoon. For telephone appointments we will usually attempt to contact you up to three times. If you do not answer then you will be considered to have “missed” this appointment. If possible a message will be left if you have voicemail or an answering machine.
Please visit our ‘appointment page’ for further information.
We are asking all patients to wear a face covering if they need to enter the surgery.
Advice on making a face covering
Face mask exemptions
You are required to wear a face covering on public transport and in shops. Children under 11 are exempt as is anyone who cannot wear one “because of any physical or mental illness or impairment, or disability”, who would experience “severe distress” from doing so, or relies on lip reading, among other reasons. Please see government guidance for full details. We encourage you to use masks if you are able to do so to protect yourself and other people.
If you are exempt you do NOT need to provide medical evidence but should simply explain that you are exempt.
If you wish to have a card to show, this document can be used to print a card for yourself.
If you are off work due to self isolation you can get an isolation note from the NHS website
How patients can help the local NHS at this time
We are all going to have do things differently! You can help the NHS by taking steps to be prepared to help us work with you…. if you need us.
Helping us work with you remotely
1. Give your practice your up-to-date mobile number. Your practice may have to manage things differently e.g. by phone or video to your smart phone or computer. If you have changed your number please let the practice know.
2. If you can please register for the NHS app if you don’t already have it (or other app such as Patient access or Systmone)
Either you or the practice staff might need to manage things while you are still at home. This can only work fully if you have fully registered for our online services. Download the app. If you use the NHS app you can complete the full process online and don’t need to go into the surgery to register. Doing more online will really help save the phone lines from being too busy for those who need them.
This will give you access to:
• Your records (so you can check for test results)
• Ordering medication and nominating a pharmacy to get your medication from
• Booking of appointment (for now these will be phone and video appointments if these are being offered).
3. Familiarise yourself with Online Consultations. Online Consultations are a way to request help from the practice without leaving the house. You access them through your practice’s website, at any time of day and without needing to register. You can submit requests for admin help (such as fit notes), receive advice from one of your GPs or may be directed to guides to help you manage the problem.
4. Prescriptions
What is the Electronic Prescription Service (EPS)?
The Electronic Prescription Service (EPS) is an NHS service. It gives you the chance to change how your GP sends your prescription to the place you choose to get your medicines or appliances from.
What does this mean for you?
If you collect your repeat prescriptions from your GP you will not have to visit your GP practice to pick up your paper prescription. Instead, your GP will send it electronically to the place you choose, saving you time. This also reduces the need for you, staff at your GP practices and staff at your community pharmacy to physically handle paper prescriptions.
How do I use EPS?
You need to choose a place for your GP practice to electronically send your prescription to. This is called nomination. You can choose:
– a pharmacy
– a dispensing appliance contractor (if you use one)
– your dispensing GP practice (if you are eligible)
You can inform your GP practice of which pharmacy you would like to nominate. You can also ask any pharmacy or dispensing appliance contractor that offers EPS to do this for you. You don’t need a computer to do this.
Can I change my nomination?
Yes you can. If you want to change or cancel your nomination speak to your GP practice. You can also speak with your community pharmacist or dispensing appliance contractor that. Tell them before your next prescription is due or your prescription may be sent to the wrong place
More information on EPS is available on the NHS website
5. Isolation note
If you are needing to self isolate and your employer requires a note of some sort this can be obtained online . There is no need to contact a Doctor.
6. Coronavirus Information
If you have any queries please check the website https://111.nhs.uk/ before ringing the practice or other parts of the NHS such as 111. Do not go to your practice if you might have Coronavirus.
Same day help for your poorly child
If your child has become unwell (other than concerns regarding new persistent cough or fever suggestive of Covid 19) please look at the “Little orange book” for advice. This provides expert help for parents and carers on how to manage common problems in babies and small children – ask your GP for a copy, or view it online. If you would like additional urgent advice then please contact the surgery and we will arrange for a doctor to speak to you and if necessary to see your child, today – this could save you an unnecessary trip to A+E or a Walk-in Centre.
The “Little Orange Book” is available from the surgery or you can download a copy(You will require pdf reader to read this document)
Video GP Consultations
We now offer this service please visit the video GP consultation page for more information.
Practice Training Dates
The surgery will be closed from 12.30pm on the following dates to allow staff protected time for learning and service development on:
Wednesday 15th March 2023
Thursday 11th May 2023
Thursday 15th June 2023
Tuesday 11th July 2023
Wednesday 13th September 2023
Tuesday 10th September 2023
Tuesday 21st Novemeber 2023
Wednesday 13th March 2023
If you need to contact a doctor when the surgery is closed, you may contact the Out of Hours Service by dialling 111.
Calls to 111 are free from both mobile and land lines. If you need to contact the Out of Hours service about a patient in Gateshead but are telephoning from outside the 111 operational area you should ring 0191 4302597.
In case of medical emergency you should contact the emergency services by dialling 999.
To Register with the Practice
The Practice covers the area including Leam Lane Estate, Wardley, Felling, Pelaw and Wrekenton. If you live in our practice area and would like to register with us, you will need to call into the surgery to collect a new patient registration pack, complete a registration form (GMS1 form) and we will arrange an appointment for you with the Health Care Assistant.
To find us please select the “Contact us” at the top of this page which will show you a map of our location.
You will be registering with the practice rather than an individual doctor. For continuity of care, we would encourage you to see the same doctor if possible, when returning for follow up of a condition for which you have seen a doctor before.
Medicine Sick Day Rules
Taking your prescribed medication regularly is important and you will be monitored to ensure it remains effective and safe. However, some medications increase the risk of developing kidney problems if you become unwell or dehydrated and you continue to take them.
When you are unwell with any of the following:
- Vomiting or diarrhoea (unless only minor)
- Fevers, sweats and shaking
Then STOP taking the medicines listed below. Restart when you are well (after 24-48 hours of eating and drinking normally)
If you are in any doubt, contact your pharmacist, GP or nurse.
Medicines to stop on sick days –
- ACE inhibitors: medicine names ending in “pril” eg, lisinopril, perindopril, ramipril
- ARBs: medicine names ending in “sartan” eg, losartan, candesartan, valsartan
- NSAIDs – anti-inflammatory pain killers eg, ibuprofen, diclofenac, naproxen
- Diuretics – sometimes called “water pills” eg, furosemide, spironolactone, indapamide, bendroflumethiazide
- Metformin – a medicine for diabetes
