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How to access your GP practice - A short video
NEWSFLASH from Newmarket Hospital Phlebotomy Department - now appointment only - see below
Newmarket Phlebotomy are now receiving unprecedented numbers of people coming to the Phlebotomy department to get bled and it is now at Dangerous levels resulting in us being unable to keep both staff and patients safe now. We only have a small team with limited space and we cannot accommodate this heightened level of activity.
As a result we need to implement a booking system which will be on a first come first served basis and patients will need to ring up to book an appointment slot. We are offering 116 appointments per day-Monday-Thursday 0800 am – 3.35pm and Fridays -72 appointments from -0800am-1245pm and patients will need to ring ahead on 01638 558442/558445 to book an appointment.
Patients who turn up will be asked to leave and given the telephone number to ring. We completely appreciate that this isn’t ideal and we apologise for any inconvenience this is going to cause, but we cannot cope with the numbers walking in.
We are looking to start this from the 18th January 2021
A short cut to Wickhambrook Surgery Opening Hours page
People aged 80 and over, 70 and over, 65 and over, people who are clinically extremely vulnerable: To book online please see this nhs.uk page about how to book or manage your coronavirus vaccination. Note: scroll to bottom of page.
You do NOT need your NHS number.
For those who have yet to hear; the GP Federation are working on this with the utmost urgency.
To keep our staff and patients safe we have introduced a door intercom service. The main door to the practice will be admittance/queries via intercom only. Please read the signage provided to guide you through this process.
Only one person to be in the lobby at a time (unless from same household). Please maintain social distancing outside whilst waiting to access the lobby. A face covering must be in place before entering the lobby.
The intercom is situated on the wall in the lobby. Once you have pressed the intercom button a member of staff will speak to you via the intercom (please be patient; they may be dealing with another task). You may use the intercom to announce your arrival for an appointment and either wait outside or return to your car, so please come prepared for adverse weather, ie with an umbrella/warm coat etc.
If you are collecting medication, please continue to queue for the dispensary window.
After your appointment the Doctor may escort you out via our staff door to maintain social distancing from people entering via the front door. There is a small step, so if you feel you will have difficulties negotiating the step please do tell the clinician.
We will continue to carry out child immunisations, smears, contraceptive services and injections for cancer patients. It is important to us to ensure that we continue to look after our staff and patients during this pandemic. If you have any medical concerns or feel unwell during this time it is essential that you contact the surgery. The doctors and nurses are continuing to triage and if necessary see patients during this time. They will be wearing full Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when seeing patients.
If you need to contact a GP, do not come to the surgery in person;
You can:
You will only be asked to visit the surgery if deemed absolutely necessary.
The surgery telephone lines are very busy at the moment and you may have to wait longer than usual to speak to someone.
If you have a child that has a medical condition or is unwell it is important that they get the correct treatment when they need it. We continue to provide the same safe care that we have always done. If you or your child needs urgent help, and it is out of hours or an emergency either call 111 or go to your nearest A&E department or call 999.
We thank you in advance for your continued understanding and cooperation with these new procedures. We are working in unprecedented times and are very grateful to our fabulous patients for your support and uplifting messages. Thank you.
We ask for your further help as detailed below:
A combination of staff shortages and a significant increase in email queries and photos being sent by patients has put significant pressure on our administrative team. PLEASE HELP SUPPORT US BY NOT EMAILING PHOTOGRAPHS OR CLINICAL PROBLEMS IN without being asked to do so by a doctor.
Please also remember the email address for any dispensary queries is wsccg.wickdisp@nhs.net
Appointments are being delivered face-to-face, online and over the telephone. If you are asked to come into the surgery for a face-to-face appointment, please remember to wear a face covering. Measures are in place to keep you safe from infection during your visit to the surgery.
We are doing everything possible to keep our visitors and staff safe. Please help us by adhering to the following guidelines:
Appointments: When you arrive for an appointment, please use the intercom (see details above) to confirm your arrival.
Under no circumstances should you enter the building unless you are granted access by a staff member.
Medication Collection: Please continue to queue at the Dispensary window between 9am and 6pm except for lunchtime when the dispensary is closed for lunch between 1.00pm and 2.30pm due to staff shortages
In line with Government guidance we request that all patients and visitors to the surgery wear a face covering during the COVID-19 pandemic. Please bring one with you. Thank you very much for your cooperation.
What is LifeLink?
Lifelink supports people by connecting them to the social activities, clubs and groups that are on offer in the community.
As part of the LifeLink initiative we are pleased to say we now have access to a LifeLink Co-ordinator, (also known as a social prescriber). Our LifeLink Co-ordinator is Michelle Zinn. Michelle has a regular weekly session at the surgery and will be very pleased to offer her help. You can get in contact with the local LifeLink scheme yourself, or ask a friend or relative to help, or talk to a member of staff here at the surgery. Wickhambrook surgery is covered by Sudbury Rural Lifelink. Find out more about LifeLink
Suffolk GP+ is for people who urgently need a doctor’s appointment or are unable to see their GP during normal GP hours. Appointments can be made via Reception during our usual opening hours. Please note: patients cannot refer themselves to this service. The service is staffed by local Suffolk GPs and Nurse Practitioners in Bury St Edmunds, Sudbury, Haverhill and Newmarket is an NHS service delivered by the Suffolk GP Federation. You will be given a booked appointment and will be seen by a suitable local GP or nurse who will have access to your medical records (once consent is given).
We dispense medication to nearly all of our patients. As a result, our dispensary can be very busy and we appreciate that at times there can be quite a queue when collecting medication.
We undertook a survey over a one-month period and the graphs below show the busiest days of the week and also the busiest times of the day. This may be of some use when deciding on when to collect your medication. Clearly, Friday mornings are the busiest.
Medication collection by days of the week
Please note; due to staff shortages during this challenging time, we are making a temporary change to our dispensary opening hours. During the period 1.00pm to 2.30pm our dispensary will be closed in consideration of our staff welfare to enable them to have a full lunch break. We thank you for your understanding.
Did you know we have a Patient Participation Group?
The purpose of the Patient Participation Group is to help us access and use your ideas for new projects, and gaining your views as to how the practice can improve and develop. The group would very much like to welcome some new members. If you would like to know more about the group please click the link below or ask a member of the surgery staff.
Each patient in the Practice has a named allocated GP. If you are unsure of your named GP please contact Reception and they will let you know who it is. If you have a preference for a particular named GP please let Reception know. Please note that you do not have to see your named GP for each appointment and you can request to be seen by a specific GP for individual appointments.
'Choose' Well by choosing the right service. The short video below is all about Choosing the Right Service.
You can now view Results, Problems, Allergies and Medications within your medical record, book your next appointment, or order your repeat prescription online using Patient Access. Available 24 hours a day, whether you are at home or work, it is especially useful when the practice is closed or telephone lines are busy. Register online or use the service (Click the Register - Create an Account option.). Or ask at Reception for the appropriate application form and information leaflet. We will require photographic ID and proof of address to process your application so even if you register online, you will still have to come to the surgery to show your ID. Please note; whilst the facility to order medication online and access medical records online remains available, online access to appointments is currently suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Further information regarding online access - link to Government information page
111 is the NHS non-emergency number. It's fast, easy and free. Call 111 and speak to a highly trained adviser, supported by healthcare professionals.
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