Important Update on the COVID Vaccination
For information on the COVID vaccination please click here
For directions to the COVID vaccination site please Click here
Are you ready to #Do your bit this Winter?
People in the North East and North Cumbria are known for looking out for one another and pulling together through difficult times. With winter around the corner and the COVID-19 virus present in our community - the months ahead could be tough. So it is more important than ever that you #DoYourBit to protect yourself, your NHS and your community.
For further information please click here
Booking a COVID Test
COVID tests are provided by the national NHS Track and Trace service to anyone who has the following symptoms:
- a high temperature
- a new, continuous cough
- a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste
To book a test, call 119, or follow the link below
Book a COVID test through the Government portal
Online Telephone Appointments
Telephone consultations are now available to book online. These are available to book 7 days in advance and on the day from 00.30am.
Repeat Prescriptions
As from 2nd November 2020, we will no longer be taking repeat prescriptions over the phone. To order your prescription please do so via:
- NHS APP (you do not need a username and password for this) More information on this in this prescription section.
- Online (you will need to request your username and password from the surgery if you don't already have one)
- Put your paper prescription in the prescription box (tick boxes) - if you have lost your paper prescription, please write your name, DOB and what you need to order on a piece of paper
- If the surgery is closed, you can post your prescription through the letterbox and it will be picked up the next working day
Exemption from wearing a face covering
We are aware that some patients might be understandably anxious about the Government’s recent announcements around the use of face masks in various public settings. GPs are unfortunately not in a position to provide individual risk assessments or letters for patients who feel that they should be exempt from wearing a face mask. The government guidance on exemptions suggests there is no requirement for evidence for exemption therefore it is sufficient for an individual to self-declare this. The responsibility for issuing exemptions lies with the transport provider not your GP. Similarly, practices are under no obligation to provide letters of support for anyone who does not fall under the list of exemptions but considers them to have another reason to be exempted. Government advice on the use of face coverings can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-safer-travel-guidance-for-passengers#face-coverings Some people don’t have to wear a face covering including for health, age or equality reasons. Some transport staff may not wear a face covering if it is not required for their job. We hope that this guidance provides some reassurance for you on this issue.
COVID 19
As per government guidance we have moved to a telephone triage service
You may find it more convenient to submit an E-consult via the link on the homepage. You will receive a response from a clinician within 48 hours
If your problem is more urgent please contact the surgery and a telephone triage appointment will be arranged. If the clinician feels you need to be seen, please be reassured that a face to face appointment will be made.
The clinician might ask for pictures to be sent prior to a skin consultation, for guidance on this please click here
If you have a NEW persistent cough OR a high temperature above 37.8C OR have had loss/change in smell or taste and are worried you may have coronavirus you need to follow these guidelines
- If you live alone you should stay at home (self-isolate) for 7 days from the onset of symptoms following the current advice.
- If you live with others then you must stay at home for 7 days, but all other household members who remain well must stay at home and not leave the house for 14 days
- After 7 days of self-isolation, people who feel better and no longer have a high temperature can return to their normal routine
- If they have serious symptoms that they cannot manage or have no signs of improvement after 7 days they should use NHS111
If your symptoms worsen please see NHS website for more information www.nhs.co.uk/coronavirus or call 111
Access to Primary Care Survey
We would be very grateful if you could complete the survey that was launched to find out about people's experiences of access to Primary Care and services provided in different ways during COVID-19. This is to find out about patient experiences, what was good and what could be improved. Please click the following Link to the survey
Attending the Surgery
It is now a requirement for all patients to wear a face covering when entering the surgery for an appointment. If you do have an appointment we would be grateful if you could come prepared with your face covering on. This can be in the form of a mask, scarf, handkerchief or any sort of fabric item you have available.
To support the practice in adhering to social distancing rules we ask that you do not attend the practice until your appointment time, as we do not have adequate space in our waiting areas. If you attend before your appointment time you may be asked to wait outside or in your car.
Thank you for your continued support and cooperation.