Please click on the following link for the latest guidance on blood clotting in the AZ vaccine:P-

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

COVID Vaccinations

If you think you are 50 or over, you should have had an invitation for your first vaccination by now.  If you haven't, please contact the surgery. 

You still need an appointment to get a vaccination so please do not go to any of the centres unless you have one booked. This is important because booking slots are carefully managed to allow for social distancing and the number of appointments is based on the supply available that day.

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.