NHS App can now provide information about hospital waiting times etc

While you are waiting for your hospital appointment or treatment, you can now use the NHS App to get the information you need while you wait to be seen.

A new NHS App feature has been launched for patients to view an estimated waiting time for your hospital treatment. You will know you are on waiting list and how long you may have to wait for treatment.

Optional section if applicable

NHS App users can also view your hospital referrals and appointments in one place and see a single point of contact and supporting information for your appointments. [A list of the trusts using the hospital appointments features is available].

For more information including how to download the NHS App, please visit www.nhs.uk/nhs-app

Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin residents asked to play their part in supporting health and care services this winter

PRESS RELEASE 15 December 2023 

People living in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin are being urged to play their part in supporting health and care services this winter.

The plea comes as health and social care services come under increasing pressure – with the situation expected to become ever more challenging over the festive period.

In an open letter, bosses at NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin, all local healthcare providers and Shropshire Council outline the challenge services are facing as we head into the winter months – but also how the public can help support local health and care services.

The letter says: “The level of demand we have seen in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin over the last few weeks is very high and shows no sign of relenting. It is the same story across the country, and it is likely to get even more challenging; especially as we enter the festive period.

“Both Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin are seeing sustained and high numbers of patients, with the number of instances of norovirus, which brings on diarrhoea and vomiting, and other respiratory illnesses such as covid, flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) on the rise.

“Our hospitals are very busy and full. This is causing lengthy waits in A&E and delays in ambulances being able to hand over their patients. As a result, ambulance crews are unable to respond to other 999 calls in the community.

“We also face delays in discharging patients from hospital – many of whom have complex personal circumstances and needs. This is leading to extended waiting times to access beds and adding to ambulance handover delays.

“As health and care leaders, we give you our word that we are doing everything within our power to see that our communities get the care they need when they need it.”

The letter can be read in full here.

Here are some things we can all do to help our health and care services overcome a challenging winter:

• Get your covid and flu vaccinations, including the booster jab if you’re eligible. They are simple steps that will help you stay well and reduce the likelihood of you needing other health and care services.

• If you have norovirus (vomiting and diarrhoea) stop it spreading such as washing your hands regularly. If you or a family member have been sick with norovirus, you should avoid visiting hospitals and care homes, and not return to work or school, until 48 hours after your symptoms have stopped. Also avoid visiting elderly or vulnerable people, particularly if they are in hospital or a care home.

• Visit NHS 111 Online or call NHS 111 if you or someone you’re with has a medical problem that isn’t life-threatening but requires immediate help, NHS 111 will get you assessed and directed to the right place.

• If you need to see your GP, they will see you, but you could also be signposted to other clinicians or health professionals who can see you quicker and give you the help you need. That could be a nurse practitioner or a clinical pharmacist – these are skilled people who can help you to get well sooner.

• Consider using your local Minor Injury Unit in Bridgnorth, Ludlow, Oswestry and Whitchurch, which on average have much shorter waiting times. These can provide rapid treatment for urgent, non-life-threatening injuries such as cuts, burns or sprains.

• Local pharmacies are open seven days a week to offer advice and over the counter medications for minor ailments such as upset stomachs, earache, skin rashes and for relief of coughs and colds.

• Support a loved one to get home from hospital as quickly as possible. Spending as little time in hospital as possible is better for patients. Collecting your loved one from hospital as early as possible will also help free up beds for patients who require admission.  

• If you have a relative or loved one in hospital waiting to be discharged with homecare and community health support, you may help them get home quicker if you and your family can support them at home. If you feel that this is an option that you could consider, please speak to their ward manager or social worker to explore further.

• Only call 999 or attend A&E departments for genuine life-threatening emergencies.

Dr Nick White, Chief Medical Officer for NHS Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin, said: “We are already seeing high levels of demand for services at the start of this winter period. Health and care staff are doing all they can to provide the best care possible, but we can’t do this without the public playing their part to help our health and care services over the coming months. We strongly encourage residents to take the actions highlighted in the letter to help reduce pressure and ensure everyone can access the services and support they need”.

Lezley Picton, Leader of Shropshire Council, said: “This is the start of what will be another long and extremely difficult winter for health and social care staff. They need our support and we can all play a part. We all need to do what we can to protect ourselves, our most vulnerable members in our community, as well as our health and care services. Getting vaccinated against covid and flu if you are eligible is one very simple way you can protect your family and loved ones.”

For more information and to find the right help fast, visit www.thinkwhichservice.co.uk.

Document Access National Software Issue Update

Update about Proposed Health and Wellbeing Hub in Shrewsbury

The practice has received official notification from Shropshire ICS that the proposed Health and Wellbeing Hub planning has been paused medium to long term pending funding approval from NHS England.

Please see the attached letter which we have been asked to share with you:  Update re Health and Wellbeing Hub May 2023

New Online Consultation Service (Patient Triage)

We have now gone live with our new online consultation service - Patient Triage. This is a great way for you to contact our practice for non-urgent medical or admin requests. It is very simple to fill out so please do give it a go if you need to contact us. 

This short online form is the quickest and simplest way for the majority of our patients to access our clinical team for assistance. Our practice phone lines remain open for anyone with accessibility needs who might find difficulty completing this form.

If you do not have access to the internet or find it difficult to use a computer or smartphone you can call reception instead, during surgery hours.

Use this for NON URGENT messages or queries, to order fit or sick notes, request GP letters or raise queries about medication.  Please do not use this service to order your repeat prescriptions - use NHS App, Patient Access or POD.

Use our online consultation service (Patient Triage) for non-urgent advice only - please note the mailbox is not monitored after 2.30 pm so any urgent messages would not be seen until the next working day.

Click on green button below to create an online request:     

For more details about the service - go to our section about ONLINE SERVICES.

POD (Prescription Ordering Service) announces quick and easy way to order prescriptions 

Many patients already use the local POD service to request their repeat prescriptions and we are pleased to share their news of offering an accessible online form for patients to use.  Simply click on the link www.shroptelpod.nhs.uk and complete the form.

The new online form is quick and easy to use and can be assessed with a smart phone, tablet or computer.

Email and phone requests are still possible but the team recommend using the online form as being the most efficient method. 

Email: shropshire.pod@nhs.net    Tel 033 33 583 509   Online form:  www.shroptelpod.nhs.uk 

Local Pharmacy Support to Consult with Patients to Improve Clinical Access

Healthier Together for families 

To help stay in control of a child’s health, visit Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin Healthier Together. Developed by NHS professionals to provide peace of mind and access to the best healthcare support. Visit www.stw-healthiertogether.nhs.uk.

Think which service? New NHS campaign helps people to get quicker urgent care

Press Release from NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin

1 February 2023

USING NHS 111

For urgent medical advice, you can contact NHS 111 online or call 111 free from any phone. This service is available 24 hours a day, including Bank Holidays, and after answering a few questions you will be directed to the best place to get the medical help and advice you need. Always call 999 for life-threatening emergencies such as a stroke or heart attack.

We are currently seeing increasing demand on the NHS111 call centres leading to people repeat calling or abandoning calls.

The www.nhs.ukwebsite is designed to help those that think they need urgent care access the NHS111 service using their laptop, mobile phone or tablet. Using the website increases capacity and is welcomed by those in your communities that are comfortable and well versed in using online services. GPs have been asked to promote this service to their patients and provide the following information:

If you need urgent care, please use NHS111 online on 111.nhs.uk

If you’re unable to access the website call 111

In cases of suspected Strep A parents should check symptoms on nhs.uk/strepA

If, on checking symptoms parents still think they need help try 111.nhs.uk-if the child is under 5 they will be prompted to call the 111 number

National data opt-out

What is the national data use opt out?

NHS Digital have rolled out a national data opt-out that allows patients to choose how their confidential patient information can be used. This is due to plans to use patient data for purposes beyond their individual care and treatment – specifically for research and planning across the NHS.

If patients do not want their data to be used in this way, they can opt out.

National data opt-outs can be set by patients themselves. There is no need to contact a GP practice. The easiest way is to download the NHS app and do it through that, but all of the ways that a patient can opt-out are outlined on the below link:

https://digital.nhs.uk/services/national-data-opt-out/understanding-the-national-data-opt-out/setting-or-changing-a-national-data-opt-out-choice

NHS Digital recently confirmed that the deadline to opt out has been extended to 30 September 2021.

Is this national opt-out linked to One Health and Care - Integrated Care record?

The national data opt-out is not linked to the Integrated Care Record.

The Integrated Care Record is a system that allows clinicians to share patient records, linking a patients treatment records across health and social care organisations and improving the care that they can deliver.

Patient records in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin will soon be available electronically for health and social care practitioners to view. These records will be ready to go live later this summer.

This means a doctor in a hospital, or a paramedic who attends a 999 call will be able to access the same crucial information as a GP when they need it. In some situations, knowing details of any allergies, medications or long-term conditions could potentially save lives.

Raising an objection

It’s important to understand that these are two different things.

The Integrated Care Record will only use patient data to improve the care provided to patients and the public.

If you do not want to your data to be viewed in the Integrated Care Record then you can raise an objection. To do this, you can contact your GP practice and they can record your objection for you.

Need help finding your NHS Number?

If you are registered with a GP practice, you will already have an NHS Number, a unique 10 digit code.

A service is available on the NHS.UK website to receive a reminder of your NHS number.

You should also be able to find your NHS Number on any letter or document you have received from the NHS, including prescriptions, test results, and hospital referral or appointment letters.

Text Messaging Facility

We are now using Chain SMS to message patients!

Chain SMS is a system which allows us to easily send text messages to patients. It means we can be much more proactive with our communications, messaging you quickly and securely, so you are not waiting around to hear
from us!

Some examples of how we might use it:-

•               Reminders or notifications (eg prescription ready, check up due, referral status)
•               Lab result information where follow-up or repeat tests are required
•               Responding to simple queries (eg if you had a quick question about your medication)
•               Letting you know we tried to call
•               Sending you advice at the end of consultation

The practice name will always be at the bottom of the message. You will not be able to reply to them. Please help us help you by keeping your number up to date.

If you do not want us to contact you this way, please contact reception.       

OPTING OUT OF THIS SERVICE MAY ALSO STOP YOU FROM RECEIVING APPOINTMENT TEXT REMINDERS.

SOCIAL MEDIA UPDATE

We are now on Facebook.

We will be using these channels to communicate news, NHS campaigns and other surgery info. Clicking the below links will take you directly to our pages!

Visit us on Facebook      

Changes to Classification of Gabapentin and Pregabalin Medication

Since 1 April 2019, pregabalin and gabapentin has been reclassified as Schedule 3 controlled drugs under the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001, and Class C of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.

What this means is that patients will only be able to receive a 1 month supply at a time. Once a prescription is written by a doctor the prescription is only valid for 1 month and the medication must be collected from the pharmacy within this time.

The change in regulations also means it is no longer be possible to send prescriptions electronically to a pharmacy. Patients can continue to order their prescriptions in the same way as usual but the prescription for this item will be printed at the surgery and will need to be collected and taken to the pharmacy. By speaking to their pharmacy it may be possible for them to collect the prescription from the surgery on behalf of patients.

For patients who use gabapentin or pregabalin we would be very grateful if they could request any prescriptions in plenty of time, to help us manage the requests efficiently.

Please contact us or speak to your pharmacy if any further information is required about this matter.

Extended Access – Local GP practices working together to offer more convenient appointment times for patients

South  Hermitage Surgery is part of a network of practices (known as ‘hubs’) in Shropshire, working together to offer patients ‘Extended Access’ to pre-bookable appointments - in the evenings, at the weekend and during bank holidays.

Part of the national agenda by NHS England, Extended Access means patients are able to make pre-bookable appointments to see a GP, practice nurse, or other qualified healthcare professional, at a time which may be more convenient for them.

In Shropshire, local practices are working together in a network of ‘hubs’ to provide this service. The ‘hubs’ will take turns to provide the Extended Access appointments to patients. This means patients could be offered an appointment at their own surgery or at a nearby practice in the local area (part of the hub). Patients will be advised about appointment location at time of booking, enabling them to make an informed choice about their where and when they access care.

Locally the pre-bookable appointments are available as follows:

• Weekday evenings (Monday to Friday) appointments between 6.30pm and 8pm (at a local area hub or GP surgery)
• Saturdays & Sundays ring your own GP surgery  appointments between 8:30am and 12:30pm (at a local area hub or GP surgery)

Arranging a pre-bookable evening, weekend or bank holiday appointment is easy to do - patients simply need to contact us, during normal opening hours, and speak to the practice receptionist or a member of the practice team who will be able to help.  Appointments may not be with your registered GP
but will be with a GP or other qualified healthcare professional.  Anyone using this service will need to consent to the healthcare professional accessing their electronic medical records via a secure link.

Cervical smear and NHS health check appointments are available through the extended access service - patients should just ring their own GP surgery and ask the receptionist for one of these appointments in an extended hours session.

Extended Access adds to the existing range of healthcare services already available in Shropshire to help patients, including pharmacists, NHS 111, the walk-in centre, minor injury units, and A&E (which is there 24/7 for life threatening serious emergencies only).

It is important to be aware of how long common conditions should take to clear up and always seek medical advice if you are unsure or if you feel
it is an emergency.

Information to help patients understand more about Extended Access is available on the NHS England website, visit https://www.england.nhs.uk/gp/gpfv/redesign/improving-access/.

South Hermitage Surgery is now an Armed Forces Veteran friendly accredited GP practice!

This has been issued by the Royal College of General Practitioners, who are working alongside NHS England to accredit practices as ‘Veteran Friendly’. We have volunteered to be part of this initiative to further increase the care for our patients.

A veteran is anyone who served for at least one day in the Armed Forces, whether regular or reserve, ie “ex service personnel”.

It is estimated that there are 3 million veterans in the UK, with 18,000 service people moving back into civilian life every year.

Our aim is to identify any veterans who are registered patients at South Hermitage Surgery. Please let us know if you are a veteran so we can update your medical records.    

PRIVACY NOTICE - Find out what patient data we hold and what we do with it. PLUS - how to OPT OUT

Being transparent and providing accessible information to patients about how we will use your personal information is a key element of the Data Protection Act 1998 and the EU General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR). This Privacy Notice reminds you of of your rights in respect of this legislation and how South Hermitage Surgery will use your information for lawful purposes in order to deliver your care and the effective management of the local NHS system. It also contains information on consent, and how to opt-out.

Please contact the Practice Manager if you have any concerns regarding the notice, or how we use your data.

EAR IRRIGATION SERVICE

Ear irrigation is only available for patients who wear a hearing aid or those for whom the Audiology Department have asked to have their ears irrigated prior to an appointment.

We want to ensure that patients who feel they should have their ears irrigated are fully informed of all the risks involved and know how to prepare adequately for their appointment.  We have therefore compiled an information leaflet about ear wax and combined this with a consent form (see attached)^.

Anyone wishing to have their ears irrigated should read this leaflet, follow the guidelines and complete the checklist about suitability for an appointment.  There are certain circumstances where it is not suitable to perform ear irrigated.  However, if an appointment is required, patients should contact the surgery to book an appointment with the relevant clinician*

*Patients who have previously had their ears irrigated can book an appointment with either Anna Treherne, Health Care Support Worker or one of our practice nurses.

*Patients who have never had their ears irrigated before should book an appointment with a practice nurse.

^The completed form should be brought along to the appointment.(see section Services / Ear Irrigation)

SHINGLES VACCINE AVAILABLE FOR ALL PATIENTS AGED BETWEEN 70 AND 79 YEARS

Patients become eligible for the shingles vaccine as soon as they reach the age of 70 and up to the age of 79 years but we are not allowed to administer the vaccine once they reach the age of 80.

Book a nurse appointment with our receptionists if you are eligible for the vaccination.

Any eligible patients can receive their shingles vaccine at the same appointment as their flu vaccine.

ELECTRONIC PRESCRIBING SERVICE (EPS2)

From 1/4/19 NHS England requires all patients on repeat medication to nominate a regular pharmacy.

This helpful service saves the NHS large amounts of money due to its streamlined processes.

Patients nominate a regular Pharmacy of their choice and all prescriptions are then forwarded directly to this Pharmacy electronically.  This saves the patients needing to attend surgery to collect their prescriptions.

If you have not already signed up, please see leaflets/poster or ask in reception for more information about the new Electronic Prescription Service.

NAMED ACCOUNTABLE GP 

All patients now have a named GP.  The main purpose of this role is to reassure you that there is one GP in our surgery who is responsible for overseeing your care, that they will work with other health & social care professionals to meet your needs and that you have access to a health check if you want one.  You can choose which GP you want, or we can allocate one to you.   You still have the right to see any of our GPs, not just your named one.

If you wish to know the name of your named GP  then ask any member of our team.