Walk in sessions at Castleford Civic Centre

Please see below the walk in clinics available at Castleford Civic Centre over the next week

Covid restrictions in many settings are to end on the 19^th July however please can we remind all patients that face coverings must still be worn unless you are medically exempt and follow social distancing rules within the Practice. This is for the protection of patients and staff.

Please see the link regarding this from NHS England: NHS England » NHS Patients, staff and visitors must continue to wear face coverings in healthcare settings 

Online Appointment Booking

We have now re-introduced online bookable appointments. You can now book:

Blood test appointments (only bookable following a GP request)

Smear tests (Only bookable following invite)

GP routine telephone calls (you have to pick an appointment date and time slot but please be aware the call back from the GP will be anytime that day from 8am until 6pm. Please ensure you put a reason)

Urgent phone call (these are released daily at 8am and are for urgent problems only. You will receive a phone call back between the hours of 8am and 6pm the same day. Please ensure you put a reason)

Verbal Abuse by Patients

Our staff are experiencing a high degree of verbal abuse from patients both on the telephone and in the surgery.  They are dealing with an extremely challenging workload at the moment and your patience is requested.  As COVID restrictions start to be lifted, we are doing our best to return to normal services as quickly as possible but we are not in control of secondary services such as the hospitals.  Our staff are doing their best, whilst also trying to contact large volumes of patients concerning their COVID vaccinations.  Whilst we do understand the frustrations of patients, staff should be treated with respect.  Thank you to all our patients who have sent their kind wishes and supportive comments - they are greatly appreciated. 

Click here to view the video that has been created with real comments by GP Patients.

GENERAL PRACTICE DATA FOR PLANNING AND RESEARCH

You can find out more about how your data is used for this and how to opt out by clicking the following link (Please note the deadline for doing this has now changed to the 1st September 2021 at the earliest):-

https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/data-collections-and-data-sets/data-collections/general-practice-data-for-planning-and-research/transparency-notice

COVID tests and what is the different

It is important to understand the difference between lateral flow tests and PCR tests.  Please click on the following link which explains what each tests does, when you should use it and what you should do with the results:- https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/testing/get-tested-for-coronavirus/

From 17 May 2021, people in England who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 can demonstrate their vaccination status for international travel. A full course is currently two doses of any approved vaccine. Vaccine status will be available from: 

• the NHS App which you can download from app stores 

• the NHS website 

It may take more than a week for your identity to be checked and verified so you can use this service.

If you cannot access the online services, and you have had 2 vaccines, you can request a paper letter from the NHS by calling 119. Only call 119 if you are due to travel abroad in the near future and have had your second dose more than 5 working days ago. It may take 7 working days for the letter to arrive.

This practice is not able to provide you with a letter that shows your COVID-19 vaccination status.

When you're planning your travel, check the latest information on demonstrating your COVID-19 status when travelling abroad on the gov.uk website. Make sure there is time to get  proof of your vaccination status before you leave.

Wearing of Masks in the Surgery

Please note that all patients must wear a mask/visor when visiting the surgery.  If you are exempt, please bring proof of this.  If not you will be asked to return with the proof and your appointment will have to be re-arranged.  If you are not exempt and you refuse to wear a mask/visor you will be asked to leave the premises.  We have visors on reception for those patients who find it difficult to wear a mask.  We have to protect all our patients and our staff.  Thanks

Blood Clotting and the use of the Oxford AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine.

New guidance has been issued following further reviews by the independent regulator, the MHRA, and the Commission for Human Medicines, of a very small number of people in the UK who have developed a rare blood-clotting condition since having the Oxford AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine.

The MHRA and Joint Committee for Vaccinations and Immunisations have emphasised that the risk of this condition is extremely small and that the benefits of the vaccine outweigh the risks for the vast majority of people. They have recommended that:

• Everyone who has had the AstraZeneca vaccine should still have a second dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine, irrespective of age, unless they suffered any serious side effects after their first vaccination.

• People aged 30 and over or who have a health condition that puts them at higher risk of severe Covid-19 disease should still be offered the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine. The benefits in protecting them against the serious consequences of COVID-19 outweigh any risk of this rare condition. 

• People aged 18-29 who do not have a health condition that puts them at higher risk of severe Covid-19 disease will be offered an alternative Covid-19 vaccine where available. (This has been recommended as a precaution as people under 30 are at less risk from Covid-19 and not because they are considered to be at particular risk of developing the rare blood clot.)

• People under 30 can still choose to have the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine if this will mean they can be protected more quickly and they have been made aware of the guidance.

Please see the leaflet below that has been produced by Public Health England and the NHS to answer any questions you may have

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/976880/PHE_COVID-19_AZ_vaccination_guide.pdf

COVID Vaccinations

Getting an appointment

Currently, anyone in an eligible age group can book a vaccination online at www.nhs.uk/covid-vaccination. If you are not able to book online you can call 119 free of charge, between 7am and 11pm seven days a week. As the age limit reduces, this will be updated on the booking homepage.

If you would prefer to have your vaccination at the centre run by local GP practices you do not need to do anything – we will contact you when we have appointments available. The invite from the GP practice will often be in the form of a text message.

We know lots of people will be eager to get protected but please do not contact your GP practice for an appointment. People will not be able to make an appointment unless they have been invited and you might stop someone who needs medical help getting through to us.

Getting your second vaccination

People need two doses of the vaccine to make sure they get maximum protection. If you had your first dose at a GP centre, you will be contacted by your practice when it is time for your second dose. This will usually be 11-12 weeks after your first vaccination.

If it is 11 weeks after you received your first vaccination, and you have not yet been invited for your second vaccination, please contact your GP practice who will arrange an appointment for you.

For more information about the vaccine, please visit www.nhs.uk or www.wakefieldccg.nhs.uk

Finding your NHS number

You can still book an appointment if you don’t have your NHS number, provided you are registered with a GP practice. However, it will be quicker if you have your number: this will be on any letter or document you have received from the NHS, including prescriptions, or you can find it online at

www.nhs.uk/find-nhs-number

PLEASE NOTE THE NATIONAL BOOKING SYSTEM IS ALSO CONTACTING CERTAIN COHORTS OF PATIENTS VIA A CENTRALISED SERVICE.  THIS IS NOT RUN BY THE PRACTICE. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUERES, PLEASE TELEPHONE THE NUMBER ON THE LETTER AND NOT THE PRACTICE. THANKS

If you are invited for a vaccine, please act on your invite straight away and make sure you attend your appointments when you arrange them.

Please note that vaccinations are free of charge and only available through the NHS. Anyone who claims to be able to provide you with a vaccine for a fee is likely to be committing a crime and should be reported to the Police online or by calling 112.

In the meantime, please continue to abide by all the social distancing and hand hygiene guidance, which will still save lives

For more information about the vaccine, please visit www.nhs.uk or click here to view the F.A.Q.

In addition, the following leaflets from Public Health England are available on the gov.uk website

• Why do I have to wait?
• Guide for adults
• Guide for healthcare workers
• What to expect after the vaccine
• Pregnancy

We are experiencing extremely high volumes of telephone calls. Please wherever possible use our online system by following the blue link on our home page. The online system called GP Online allows patients to have an online consultation with the surgery without attending in person or having to wait in the telephone queue. You can use this system to make an admin enquiry eg about a sick note, or a clinical enquiry. PLEASE NOTE THIS SYSTEM SHOULD NOT BE USED FOR URGENT MEDICAL ISSUES. Once you have logged your query, someone from the surgery will contact you either the same day or the next day, depending upon the time you log the enquiry. Please click on the blue link on the home page of our website and try it for yourself! This system is particularly useful during this coronavirus outbreak as it avoids you having to come to the surgery in person.

Face coverings when accessing GP practices in the Wakefield area

 We are asking all our patients to wear a face covering or something else that can cover the mouth and nose, such as a scarf, if you come to the surgery for an appointment.

 You can use a simple scarf or bandana that ties behind your head or make your own ‘no-sew’ face coverings using the advice available online at the gov.uk website. Simply search for ‘face covering’. Face coverings are also available to buy in shops or online.

Face coverings should not be worn by children under three and people who would find wearing them difficult (such as people with breathing difficulties).

Clinicians that are seeing patients face-to-face may be wearing personal protective equipment (face mask/gloves/aprons). This is for your safety as well as theirs.

Further advice about wearing face coverings can be found here

www.gov.uk/government/publications/face-coverings-when-to-wear-one-and-how-to-make-your-own/face-coverings-when-to-wear-one-and-how-to-make-your-own

PLEASE SEE OUR CORONAVIRUS TAB AT THE RIGHT HAND SIDE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION TO HELP OUR PATIENTS

We have now completed the building work at the surgery with a new roof, a mezzanine floor in reception to provide extra clinical rooms and an upgrade to the patient toilets and existing clinical rooms, as well as being newly decorated and carpeted in all communal areas.  This has been long-awaited and we hope that patients will be pleased with the results and it will make the surgery a nicer place to visit. Many thanks to all our patients for their patience and for bearing with us during the upheaval.  

RESULTS OF 2020 PATIENT SURVEY

The national patient survey results are out and we are pleased to announce the we have scored equal to, or above the national and local average in ten out of eighteen areas.  Our best results were as follows :-

92% of patients find the reception team helpful

87% of patients waited 15 minutes or less to be seen

88% of patients said the professional they spoke to gave them enough time during their appointment

88% of patients said the professional they saw was good at listening

86% of patients said the professional they saw was good at treating them with care and concern

96% said they had trust in the professional they saw

91%  said their needs were met during their last appointment

84% of patients describe their overall experience as good

If you want to view the full report, go to www.gp-patient.co.uk

Obviously we are not complacent and always want to work hard to improve on our results so that the service we offer is the best it can be.  Thanks to our hard working team.

GP ONLINE CONSULTATIONS

We have a new system that allows patients to consult with the surgery online - this can be for an admin query such as a sick note or a clinical query.  Once you have logged the details of your request, a member of the surgery will contact you with a response.  PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS SYSTEM IS NOT TO BE USED FOR URGENT MEDICAL ISSUES.  To use the new system, please click on the blue box on the home page.  If you require any help using the new system, please contact a member of our administration team.  Using this system is particularly useful during the current coronavirus outbreak - it avoids you having to visit the surgery which protects you and our staff

Electronic prescriptions help save the NHS money.

You will receive your prescriptions in the same way as you do now.

Read more about EPS on the NHS Digital website.

https://digital.nhs.uk/services/electronic-prescription-service

GET YOURSELF ONLINE AND BEAT THE QUEUES!  If you need helping logging in with your password, please contact reception who will be able to help.

The law on how we process your personal data has changed.  There are new regulations called the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR).  Please see our fair processing notice for adults and children under the Practice Policies tab on the right hand side.

Carers Packs.  We have put them together for Carers and the Elderly which contains a wealth of information on the services available to you.  To obtain a free copy of Northgate's carers pack enquire by telephone and we will send you one out.

PLEASE SEE BOTTOM OF PAGE FOR ONLINE SERVICES.

Young Person's Telephone Advice Clinic - On Wednesdays between 12.00 noon and 12.30pm we run a young person's (13-19 year old) telephone advice line for dedicated advice on any matter that you would like to discuss with someone clinical on a totally confidential basis.  Please feel free to contact reception during these times and someone will help you.