Noticeboard

Covid Vaccine for 12-15 year olds. Please click here.

Covid vaccine Boosters Information, Please click here. For F.A.Q's about the booster programme please click here.

Northgate surgery needs your help. Please click on the link here to find out more about how we are currently working to support your needs.

Covid-19 Frequently asked Questions

Please click here to be taken to the CCG page regarding the Covid-19 vaccine.

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 from the 1st September 2021 to a date yet to be confirmed):-

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.

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

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.

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!

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

THE 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

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.

Order Your Repeat Prescription Online

Ways in which you can order your prescription:

Community pharmacies, online pharmacies and other dispensing contractors (which include appliance contractors) will no longer be able to order repeat prescriptions on your behalf. Repeat prescription orders will need to be made by yourself, a relative or carer directly from your GP surgery. Repeat prescriptions can be ordered in the following ways:

Online ordering – Recommended. This is an easy and simple way. Patients are encouraged to sign up for online ordering. To sign up you are required to produce photographic identification such as your passport; driving license or a bus pass to the GP practice. You will then be issued a personalised online log in and a password which should only be used by you to access your repeat orders (If you require a family member or carer’s assistance when ordering please highlight this to the practice staff when registering). This is a very straight forward process and will allow you to access your repeat orders at a time convenient to you, 24 hours a day
In person at the surgery (using the white tear off slip on the right hand side of the previous prescription )
Via post (using the white tear off slip on the right hand side of the previous prescription)

If you or someone you know requires assistance when ordering repeat prescriptions, then please enquire in your GP practice today. These patients will receive support to access help.

By encouraging all patients that have the ability to order their own repeat prescriptions, time will be freed up in pharmacies to focus on those patients needing additional assistance with their medicines. It will also offer you, as the patient, full control over which prescription items are issued each month. This will help to avoid over ordering and stockpiling of your prescription medicines.

Please note that the collection, dispensing and delivery of your prescription from community pharmacies, online pharmacies and appliance contractors will remain the same, it is only the ordering process that will change.

Please allow time for your repeat prescription to be processed.

Your GP practice will require at least 2 working days to issue your repeat prescription. Your pharmacy or appliance contractor will then need a further 1 -2 working days to dispense your repeat medication as they may need to order in any items that they do not have in stock.

We would recommend ordering your repeat medications 7 days before your previous supply is due to run out. Please note that this timeframe may be different if you are ordering medications such as controlled drugs.

Medication Reviews

Patients on repeat medication will have a medication review with the Practice Pharmacist at least once a year to review these regular medications and notification should appear on your repeat slip. These may be face to face or over the telephone. Please ensure that you book an appropriate appointment with the Pharmacist to avoid unnecessary delays to further prescriptions. Patients using online prescription ordering must also note that you will not be able to order repeat medication if a medication review is due. Once you have had your review you will be able to access online services.

Prescriptions Charges and Exemptions

Extensive exemption and remission arrangements protect those likely to have difficulty in paying charges (NHS prescription and dental charges, optical and hospital travel costs).

The NHS prescription charge is a flat-rate amount which successive Governments have thought it reasonable to charge for those who can afford to pay for their medicines. Prescription prepayment certificates (PPCs) offer real savings for people who need extensive medication.

NHS charges

These charges apply in England only. In Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales prescriptions are free of charge.

Prescription (per item): £9.35
12-month prepayment certificate (PPC): £108.10
3-month PPC: £30.25

If you will have to pay for four or more prescription items in three months, or more than 15 items in 12 months, you may find it cheaper to buy a PPC.

Telephone advice and order line 0845 850 0030
General Public - Buy or Renew a PPC On-line

There is further information about prescription exemptions and fees on the NHS website

Antibiotic Guardians

At Northgate surgery we are working with the Lowering Antimicrobial prescribing (LAMP) project.

Sadly increased and inappropriate use of antimicrobial drugs such as antibiotics has led to increasing resistance to them. We are rapidly heading towards a future where antibiotics no longer work and simple infections could have devastating consequences.
At Northgate we are committed to working together with patients to ensure that antibiotics are only prescribed when clinically appropriate. By reducing antibiotic use we can keep antibiotics working and help keep everyone healthier.
Antibiotics do NOT work against viruses so they are ineffective again colds and viral chest, throat and ear infections.
Antibiotics cause lots of side effects including diarrhoea and sickness.
Your clinician will only prescribe antibiotics if clinically indicated. If you are not sure or think you are getting worse you can always contact our triage team for more advice.

We thank all of our patients and staff for their support with this.

Some useful resources

Here are a few guidelines to help you judge how long some common illnesses and symptoms should last for:

Common illness	Most people are better by
Earache (middle ear infection)	8 days
Sore throat	7-8 days
Sinusitis (adults only)	14-21 days
cold	14 days
Cough	21 days

For more information visit www.nhs.uk/keepantibioticsworking

If you’re not starting to improve by these guide times, contact the surgery.

Please click here to be taken to the Antibiotic Guardian Page.

Practice Repeat Prescription Ordering Policy

The Practice no longer accepts repeat prescription requests from pharmacies on behalf of patients. We are aware that the online pharmacist, 'Pharmacy2U' is currently mailing Wakefield residents advising of the services that they can provide. Please note that our policy also applies to Pharmacy 2U and therefore if you choose to nominate Pharmacy 2U to dispense your medicines, you will still need to order your own prescription from the surgery.

All Pharmacies are still able to collect your repeat prescription from the surgery once it has been processed and deliver your medicines to you if they offer these services. Please be assured that the practice has not provided Pharmacy 2U with your details and we are not affiliated to them in any way.

Please click the following link regarding the recent prescription changes from the CCG. Please click here.

Noticeboard

Covid-19 Frequently asked Questions

THE RESULTS OF 2020 PATIENT SURVEY

Electronic prescriptions help save the NHS money.

Ways in which you can order your prescription:

In person at the surgery (using the white tear off slip on the right hand side of the previous prescription )

Via post (using the white tear off slip on the right hand side of the previous prescription)

If you or someone you know requires assistance when ordering repeat prescriptions, then please enquire in your GP practice today. These patients will receive support to access help.

Please note that the collection, dispensing and delivery of your prescription from community pharmacies, online pharmacies and appliance contractors will remain the same, it is only the ordering process that will change.

Please allow time for your repeat prescription to be processed.

Your GP practice will require at least 2 working days to issue your repeat prescription. Your pharmacy or appliance contractor will then need a further 1 -2 working days to dispense your repeat medication as they may need to order in any items that they do not have in stock.

We would recommend ordering your repeat medications 7 days before your previous supply is due to run out. Please note that this timeframe may be different if you are ordering medications such as controlled drugs.

Prescriptions Charges and Exemptions

NHS charges

Practice Repeat Prescription Ordering Policy

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Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Advice in your region

Noticeboard

Covid-19 Frequently asked Questions

THE RESULTS OF 2020 PATIENT SURVEY

Electronic prescriptions help save the NHS money.

Ways in which you can order your prescription:

In person at the surgery (using the white tear off slip on the right hand side of the previous prescription )

Via post (using the white tear off slip on the right hand side of the previous prescription)

If you or someone you know requires assistance when ordering repeat prescriptions, then please enquire in your GP practice today. These patients will receive support to access help.

Please note that the collection, dispensing and delivery of your prescription from community pharmacies, online pharmacies and appliance contractors will remain the same, it is only the ordering process that will change.

Please allow time for your repeat prescription to be processed.

Your GP practice will require at least 2 working days to issue your repeat prescription. Your pharmacy or appliance contractor will then need a further 1 -2 working days to dispense your repeat medication as they may need to order in any items that they do not have in stock.

We would recommend ordering your repeat medications 7 days before your previous supply is due to run out. Please note that this timeframe may be different if you are ordering medications such as controlled drugs.

Prescriptions Charges and Exemptions

NHS charges

Practice Repeat Prescription Ordering Policy