Paper Prescription Urgent Update
In order to prevent the spread of Corona virus we can no longer accept paper prescription requests at the surgery. We do not take prescription orders over the telephone.
It is in patients’ best interests to download the NHS App, register and have the benefit of on-line prescription ordering, as well as other features. Using your mobile phone or PC and wi-fi [to avoid any heavy data usage], google “NHS app, help and support” - this gives clear instructions on how to register up on the app and how to use it. Already registered for on-line access? Use that patient access app for ordering prescriptions. If you don’t have a mobile phone or PC, speak with a chemist of your choosing to register for them to order your prescription - this is available until at least 1st April.
ALL patients need to nominate a chemist to enable electronic prescriptions to be sent from the surgery-please telephone the surgery to advise, if you have not already done so. You can request for your monthly prescription to be automatically sent to your chemist for the next 12 months. Please request "12 month electronic repeat" for this service. If you are suitable for this then we will let your chemist know.
Please accept our apologies for short notice of these changes, due to the unprecedented escalation of risk factors around the corona virus.
Introducing Automated Check-In
We are pleased to introduce a streamlined automated check-in system to mark arrivals for appointments. Simply use the screen when you arrive, to validate your details and check-in - no need to visit the desk!
New Text Message Alerts
New Text Message Alerts: From Monday 8th January 2018, we will be introducing a text messaging service. It will use the most recent mobile number held on our system, so please ensure that your personal details are up to date. Initially, the service will provide appointment reminders and the opportunity to cancel via text. We may also use this system to ask for your feedback on the surgery.
We hope this will be a useful service for patients and help us to reduce wasted appointments. However, should you wish to opt out of this service, please inform a member of the reception team as soon as possible.
GP Extended Hours across South Tyneside
Please find information about the extended access service [STEPS] now provided by South Tyneside Health Collaboration. During normal surgery hours, call us and if we cannot accomodate the time and day you wish to be seen, we can access STEPS and search for something suitable with another GP surgery. We will still remain your usual GP practice but you will need to give consent for the extended service clinician to view your computer record. Our staff will explain everything to you at the time of booking. The attached notice gives further advance information to help you.
Chronic Disease Annual Reviews
Please find a poster detailing the changes to the way we are now calling in patient's for their annual chronic health reviews with nursing staff.
From now, we aim to review all relevant patient’s in the month of their birthday, calling them in 1 month in advance (e.g. during May we will remind patient’s born in July to make an appointment to see the nurse in July).
We will try to do all reviews at the same appointment to avoid patient’s having to come back. This should make it more convenient and easier for our patient’s to remember when they need to call the surgery for an appointment.