New Self check-In Screen for Patients
We have installed a new automated check-in screen at both sites Gubbins Lane & Ardleigh Green. It is hoped that this will reduce queuing in the reception area. Using the screen is easy and there are clear instructions but if you would rather speak to a receptionist please do so. The reception team will help you if you have any queries.
Attending A&E
If you have an urgent medical problem and you are unsure of the correct course of action to take, PLEASE DO CONTACT US FOR GUIDANCE IN THE FIRST INSTANCE.
Atrial Fibrillation (AF)
In people over the age of 65 an irregular pulse can contribute to causing a stroke. We are now starting to screen people for this. If you're over 65 and no-one has checked your pulse then please ask your doctor or nurse to do this next time you see them.
People found to have certain kinds of irregularity will be offered an ECG and possibly medication to help prevent a stroke.
Have your contact details changed? Please click on the attached link to inform the surgery of any changes to your contact details: Let the surgery know if your contact details have changed
HAVE YOU HAD YOUR FLU JAB? THIS WINTER PROTECT YOURSELF FROM FLU - SEE OUR NOTICE BOARD FOR FURTHER DETAILS.
NHS 111 for medical help fast but it’s not a 999 emergency.
Talking Therapies services
Everyday life can be tough for anyone. Our talking therapies for Barking and Dagenham, Havering, Redbridge and Waltham Forest are free, confidential NHS services that can help with a range of problems such as depression, anxiety, stress, bereavement and relationship problems.
Formerly known as IAPT (Improving access to psychological therapies), our Talking Therapies services are confidential and easy to access. Simply complete the online patient referral or call us direct on one of the numbers below and we’ll arrange an initial telephone appointment. Together we will decide the right treatment for you, if we feel that another service will better be able to support you will provide you with the necessary information or make the referral for you.
Talking therapies are proven to work, and our friendly, professional teams offer a range of sessions that are designed to help you cope better.
Call us between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday and we will book you an appointment for an initial assessment. Outside of office hours you can leave your name and contact details on our answerphones and we will phone you back as soon as we can.
Barking and Dagenham
0300 300 1554 option 3 (9am-5pm, Monday to Friday)
Havering
0300 300 1554 option 2 (8am-8pm, Monday to Thursday, 8am-5pm Friday)
Redbridge
0300 300 1554 option 1 (9am-5pm, Monday to Friday)
Talking Therapies Information leaflet: https://www.nelft.nhs.uk/download.cfm?doc=docm93jijm4n1905.pdf&ver=3010
Website: http://www.mytalkingtherapies.org.uk/
Text Messaging Service: The surgery now has a text messaging service to remind patients that they have an appointment booked at our surgery. Patients that have provided us with mobile numbers will now receive a text message reminder from the surgery 24hrs prior to their appointment date. Can we emphasise that IT IS IMPORTANT YOU KEEP THE PRACTICE INFORMED OF ANY CHANGES TO YOUR CONTACT DETAILS TO ENABLE US TO CONTACT YOU. Patients that would like to receive appointment reminders by text that have not provided us with their mobile numbers are urged to do so at their earliest convenience.
What is GDPR? GDPR stands for General Data Protection Regulations and is a new piece of legislation that will supersede the Data Protection Act. It will not only apply to the UK and EU; it covers anywhere in the world in which data about EU citizens is processed. (Implementation Date: 25th May 2018) - For more information Click on the attached link:
GDPR Info Leaflet
Online Services (Online Patient Access)
With our Upgrade to EMIS Health we also updated our patient online services to Patient Access
Enabling patients to book appointments, order repeat prescriptions and view their medical record online. It provides a 24-hour online service that gives patients more flexibility and saves time for practices.
Existing registered patients have all been emailed details on making the switch. Patients who have provided email addresses at registration have all also been contacted recently with details of this great service. Click here to register or login.
Prescribing Changes 2017 /18
CCG Letter – Prescribing Changes July 2017
Changes are being introduced to what we will be able to prescribe. See our guide to the changes from the local prescribing guidelines – What your GP can prescribe on the NHS:
So that we can protect funding for the most essential NHS services for local people – things like emergency and cancer care – maternity and mental health services, your local NHS has stopped funding and prescribing some medicines and procedures.
Your GP can no longer give you an NHS prescription for:
- Gluten-free products – e.g. bread
- Medicines for dental conditions – e.g. mouthwashes, toothpastes
- Head lice and/or scabies medication
- Muscle rub creams such as Deep Heat and Tiger balm
- Omega 3 and other fish oil supplements
- Multivitamin supplements
- Eye vitamin supplements
- Colic remedies for babies
- Cough and cold remedies
- Paracetamol and ibuprofen (except in solution for children if appropriate)
- Soya-based formula milk
Travel vaccinations
- Your GP can no longer provide these travel jabs on the NHS: Hepatitis A and B combined, hepatitis B, meningococcal meningitis, Japanese encephalitis, rabies, tick-borne encephalitis, TB, yellow fever.
Read the full guidelines and changes here from Barking and Dagenham, Redbridge and Havering clinical commissioning groups
Phase 2 – 08/01/2018
Changes to prescribing and other services
In order to protect funding our most essential health services – things like cancer care, emergency care, life threatening conditions and mental health services – GPs across Barking and Dagenham, Havering and Redbridge are making further changes to prescribing and other NHS services. From January 2018 we will be:
- Stopping prescribing over the counter sleeping tablets, sunscreens, anti-malarial medicines
- Stopping certain ‘non-essential’ procedures
- Restricting who is eligible for cataract surgery and podiatry.
A full breakdown of the proposals and what was approved is attached and is also now available on our websites:
www.barkingdagenhamccg.nhs.uk/spending-wisely
www.haveringccg.nhs.uk/spending-wisely
www.redbridgeccg.nhs.uk/spending-wisely
Unfortunately, no change is not an option, and it’s up to us – with the public’s help – to get the local NHS onto a secure and sustainable footing to make sure we can maintain those vital services for you and your families.
We know some of these decisions won’t be popular, but we have to look at where we can save money so we can protect priority, lifesaving services for all.
Barking and Dagenham, Havering and Redbridge Clinical Commissioning Groups
Please contact the CCG directly for any complaints or comments you may have:
redccg.complaintsbhrccgs@nhs.net
Hayfever Medication
Barking and Dagenham, Havering and Redbridge Clinical Commissioning Groups (BHR CCGs) have decided to restrict or no longer fund some treatments, medicines and procedures. This included hayfever medication from 8 January 2018.
These tablets, eye drops and nasal sprays are used to treat the symptoms of hay fever (an allergic reaction to pollen), including
sneezing, a runny nose and itchy eyes. Hayfever treatments are widely available at low cost from supermarkets, pharmacies and other retailers.
There is further guidance here about hayfever and it’s treatment https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hay-fever
See the CCG statement on hayfever here: BHR_CCGs_Position_statement_on_prescribing_for_hayfever
- Your local pharmacy – Many common illnesses such as coughs or colds can be easily treated by visiting your local pharmacy. You can speak to a pharmacist without having to make an appointment and they can advise you how to look after yourself at home with rest and over-the-counter treatments. To find your local pharmacy and the services it offers, visit nhs.uk
- NHS 111 – If you need medical help quickly, but your condition is not life threatening, you can call NHS 111. Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, the free telephone service is staffed by trained advisors and experienced clinicians who can assess you, offer advice and direct you to the right place to get the medical care you need as quickly as possible
- Walk-in centres – Our walk-in centres are open to patients, including children, every day of the year (and most are open on Christmas Day). You do not need an appointment and can just “walk in”. Find more information on the centres’ locations and opening hours.
- Urgent GP appointments – Urgent, same day, bookable appointments are available every day at GP hubs across the borough between 6.30pm and 10pm on weekdays, and between 8am and 8pm on Sundays. To find out more on urgent GP appointments call NHS 111 or 020 3770 1888 to book an appointment.
So that everyone can get the treatment and advice they need, it’s important to remember that A&E should only be used by people with serious or life-threatening health problems requiring emergency treatment.
Free Wi-Fi to patients
Our patients can now benefit from free complementary WiFi at our Gubbins Lane and Ardleigh Green branches. Please ask at reception for details.