Noticeboard

Please note the change to our email address as of July 2022:

nelondonicb.contacthaiderian@nhs.net

DOWNLOAD THE NHS APP:

We would strongly encourage ALL patients to download the NHS APP to book appointments and request medication online, this is the single most helpful thing that patients can do to support their NHS GP. It will save time for frontline reception so we can answer calls and deal with queries more quickly. 


https://www.nhs.uk/apps-library/nhs-app/

IT’S A BABY GIRL! Dr Seema Haider has given birth to a baby girl. Welcome to the world baby Arissa! <3

PLEASE BE AWARE, we are no longer accepting patients who live outside our Upminster catchment area. Letters are being sent out to out of area patients advising them of next steps.

PATIENTS- If you fail to attend 3 appointments (and do not cancel in advance), you will be asked to find another GP. Please remember to cancel appointments you no longer need. We lose over 100 appointments a month due to failed attendances.

PLEASE CALL AFTER 12PM FOR TEST RESULTS OR ROUTINE QUERIES AS PHONE LINES ARE VERY BUSY IN THE MORNING AND URGENT APPOINTMENT CALLS MUST BE PRIORITISED

Access the online appointment system

Appointments

PLEASE REMEMBER TO CLARIFY WITH RECEPTION IF YOUR APPOINTMENT IS AT DORKINS WAY SURGERY, CRANHAM OR CORBETS TEY SURGERY, UPMINSTER.

We have an appointment system, which allows pre-bookable and a few book-on-the-day appointments. The receptionist will try to give you a convenient appointment with the doctor of your choice. Appointments can be made up to 4 weeks in advance. Appointments can also be made on-line via the NHS APP, ask at reception for log in instructions or visit Access your NHS account - NHS (www.nhs.uk).

We do try to maintain a good access to the surgery and we are constantly striving to improve. We might not always get it right but we try to look at availability over the weeks ahead and put in extra sessions when we can. We will endeavour to offer you an appointment as soon as possible and in most cases we can accommodate you within 3 working days or sooner. However if you have specific requirements e.g. certain days/times or a particular GP you may have to wait longer for an appointment that meets your particular requirements.

CONTINUITY OF CARE

We believe that the patient has the right to see whichever doctor they choose. However, we do encourage patients to try to stick to one doctor where possible. This makes it easier for you and for the doctor treating you as they are aware of your history and you don’t have to repeat yourself.

When you call to make an appointment the reception will often book you the earliest available appointment. Please specify which doctor you would like to see. If the problem is not an emergency we encourage you to wait for your usual doctor even if that means waiting a few more days for the appointment. In the case of emergencies we would advise you to book the earliest available appointment so as not to delay your treatment.

TIMINGS

Please try to be on time for your appointment. We appreciate that the clinicians may run late and please accept our apologies in advance for this. We have a very elderly population within Havering and some cases simply overrun when patients are unwell or cases are complex. Generally, our patients are wonderful and have always shown great support and understanding so we thank you and appreciate your patience!

A GP appointment is usually booked at 10 minute intervals. As you can appreciate, this is not very long. Unfortunately offering longer appointments means that we would be unable to meet the overall demand for appointments.

We do not enforce a strict rule of a one problem per consultation, as some things can be dealt with quickly, for example a medication review or a mole check, whereas a presentation with chest pain or breathing problems will take a full 10 minutes and even longer sometimes. If you do have a few problems you want to discuss then please book a double appointment. The doctor may ask you to come back if they need more time. We understand this may be frustrating but please remember that the doctor does have your best interests at heart and it may simply not be possible, realistic or safe to deal with a second problem within 5 minutes.

Types of Appointments

Booked in advanced

Bookable routine face to face consultations or telephone consultations up to 4 weeks ahead, these provide choice and flexibility as to when and by whom patients are booked with.  These can be booked via the NHS App, in person at reception or via telephone. 

Emergency Appointments

There are appointments available every day in both morning and afternoon surgery sessions in case of emergencies. Please use these appointments for emergencies only.

Children and patients >75 years old or patients with a complex medical background will be seen as a priority. 

Please note that sore throats, coughs and colds are not emergencies. The NHS website has some helpful information on how to treat them. It also advises on when it is appropriate to see a doctor. A local pharmacist will be able to advise you on over the counter treatments for your virus

http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/coldsandflu/Pages/Coldcomfort.aspx

Also remember that Antibiotics do not work for Viruses. Please see the useful information leaflet below

http://www.patient.co.uk/health/antibiotics-leaflet

Practice Nurses

In a number of cases it might be worth considering an appointment with a practice nurse rather than a doctor. Practice nurses are qualified to deal with many conditions, can prescribe medication and you may be seen more quickly.

They can prescribe contraception and also do Blood pressure check. 

Physician Associate

We offer both booked in advance face to face consultations and on the day emergency appointments with our Physician Associate who works alongside our doctors providing medical care as an integral part of the multidisciplinary team.

A physician associate is able to take medical histories from patients, carry out physical examinations, see patients with undifferentiated diagnoses, see patients with long-term conditions, formulate differential diagnoses and management plans, carry out diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, developing and delivering appropriate treatment and management plans, requesting and interpreting diagnostic studies and providing health promotion and disease prevention advice for patients.

Clinical Pharmacist

We offer both face to face and telephone consultations with our in-house Pharmacist who can assist you with medication queries, check your Blood Pressure and update your vaccinations e.g flu jab, shingles vaccine or pneumonia vaccine. 

Text Message Reminders

We have a text message appointment reminder service.  Please ensure that we have your most up to date mobile number.  If you do not wish to receive these messages please speak with a member of reception to be opted out.

Failure to attend appointments 

Last year we lost over 500 appointments due to non-attendance. * PLEASE REMEMBER TO CANCEL APPOINTMENTS IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO ATTEND SO ANOTHER PATIENT CAN HAVE YOUR APPOINTMENT. 

WE OPERATE A TWO STRIKES POLICY, IF YOU MISS MORE THAN TWO APPOINTMENTS, YOU RUN THE RISK OF BEING REMOVED FROM THE LIST.

Finding the right NHS Service for you

Please access the website below which allows you to see what services are available in the local area depending on your needs. Please remember that AE is for serious accidents and life threatening emergencies. 

 

Call 111 when you need medical help fast but it’s not a 999 emergencyNHS ChoicesThis site is brought to you by My Surgery Website