Patient Notice

13th August 2020

Its that time of year again ....the flu season is upon us soon so please ring and book your NHS flu vaccinations.

We are currently taking names and contact details only as we have no confirmed dates as yet however once we do, we will call you back and arrange a date/time.  We are also arranging weekend walk in clinics for the flu vaccination only.

We are expecting a high intake of patients requiring the flu vaccination this year so please make sure you do not miss out.

Who should get the flu vaccine?

This year the flu vaccine is being offered on the NHS to:

• adults 65 and over
• people with certain medical conditions (including children in at-risk groups from 6 months of age)
• pregnant women
• people living with someone who's at high risk from coronavirus (on the NHS shielded patient list)
• children aged 2 and 3 on 31 August 2020
• children in primary school
• children in year 7 (secondary school) - TBC as this may be done at school instead of GP.
• frontline health or social care workers

Later in the year, the flu vaccine may be given to people aged 50 to 64. More information will be available later in the autumn.

However, if you're aged 50 to 64 and in an at-risk group, you should not delay having your flu vaccine.

16th July 2020

Following on from the Government Guidelines about the wearing of face masks, there will be some patients who suffer from breathing difficulties and cannot wear them therefore if any patients are suffering with a lung or breathing condition such as asthma, COPD etc they can google asthma.org.uk and download an exemption card which they will need to carry around with them.  Please note that the doctors will not provide a letter of exemption for the non use of face marks.

We are now inviting new patients to register with us at Slade Green Medical Centre and Colyers lane.  Please call 01322 334884 for your registration forms.

We can offer :-

• Free Parking
• Female Doctors
• Extended Hours for Doctors Appointments
• Extended Hours for Nurses Appointments
• Friendly receptionist and staff
• a clean and organised reception area.

...........and most importantly, we listen, care and support our community.

**************************

When being invited into our Surgeries, please respect our social distancing guidance, this is for your own safety.

Unfortunately, we cannot provide you with a face mask so please make sure that you wear your own when entering the surgery.

As from 30th June 2020, we will NOT be accepting prescription requests at the surgery door.  You now have the following two options to order your prescriptions:

1) Via email Sladegreen.medicalcentre@nhs.net.  Please make sure you state your full name, your date of birth, your contact number and referred Pharmacy.

2) Select a local pharmacy that will request your repeat prescription for you when needed.

        a) Wells Pharmacy, Forrest Road near Slade Green Station - 01322 337445

        b) JG Harrisons, 1 Town Square Erith (Opp Farm Foods) in the town centre - 01322 332147

        c) Daysol Pharmacy, 3 Parkside Parade - 01322 556356.

If you have a preferred Pharmacy/Chemist, please mark it clearly on your repeat order form or notify us via telephone on 01322 334884.

AS OF THE END OF JULY 2020, PAPER PRESCRIPTIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

We apologise for this inconvenience but hope you understand that we are trying to minimise any cross contamination between our patients and staff. Thank you.

*****We are now asking for all patients who require their Cervical Screening test (smear) to call the surgery and book with our Nurse.****** (see below for details)

IMPORTANT SUPPORT FOR OUR COMMUNITY

Bexley Help Line is opened 7 days a week from 8am - 8pm - 0203 045 5398.

Support in Bexley are there for you during this time..... Some Useful numbers:

CAP Debt Advice - 0800 328 0006

Kooth (a free online support for young people ) at www.Kooth.com

Silverline 24 hour telephone befriending service - 0800 4 70 80 90

Shelter housing advice - 0808 800 4444

National Domestic Abuse helpline - 0808 2000 247

Mankind - Domestic Abuse helpline for men - 01823 334244

Mental Health Crisis Line - 0800 330 8590

Samaritans freephone - 116 123

As from Monday 8th June 2020, we are now allowing patients to book their Cervical screening Tests (Smears) with our nurse.  If you are overdue, due or have any questions, please contact our reception team on 01322 334884.

You will first be allocated a 5 minutes telephone consultation with the Nurse then provided an appointment time when the procedure can be done.  Please make sure that you attend and do not miss the appointment as these will be very valuable.  Please can we ask that you wear your own face covering upon entry and use the hand sanitiser at reception.

COVID-19 INFORMATION

The symptoms of Coronavirus (COVID-19) are usually mild, but some people can become very unwell.  The main symptoms of the virus is:-

 - high temperature. This means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back

- new, continuous cough.  This means coughing a lot for more than an hour or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse then usual)

- loss or change to your sense of smell or taste.  This means you've noticed you cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal.

Most people with Coronavirus have at lease one of these symptoms.

Use the 111 online Coronavirus service if you have any of the following:-

- High temperature

- new, continuous cough

- loss or change to your sense of smell or taste.

NHS 111 will tell you what to do and help you get a test if you need one.  If you cannot use the online NHS 111, please try by phone.  Do not come into the surgery or go to a hospital or pharmacy.  Please help us and follow the government COVID-19 guidelines.

Staying at home if you have symptoms (self-isolation) 

If your symptoms are mild you must not leave your home.  This is called self-isolation.  Anyone with symptoms must self-isolate for 7 days from when their symptoms started.  Anyone who does not have symptoms must self-isolate for 14 days from when the first person in your home started having symptoms.

Read more about self-isolation if you have symptoms of the Coronavirus :-www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/what-to-do-if-you-or-someone-you-live-with-has-coronavirus-symptoms/staying-at-home-if-you-or-someone-you-live-with-has-coronavirus-symptoms/.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Babies and Children

Call NHS 111 if your worried about a baby or child under 5 years old.  If your child seems very unwell, is getting worse or you think there's something seriously wrong, do not delay, call 999.

Please help us and follow the government COVID-19 guidelines.

Isolation Help Bexley (IHB) are a group of volunteers in the London Borough of Bexley.  We seek to ensure that elderly and vulnerable members of our community know that they will always have a lifeline in this time of crisis.  Put simply, our ethos is that we are committed to ensuring that "NOBODY" self isolating in Bexley feels isolated.

If you need help due to self-isolation, please call or email.

Phone: 0333 050 9227 / 07783820492.

Email: help@isolationhelpbexley.com

facebook.com/IsolationHelpBexley.

You can also complete a Request Help form on the website www.isolationhelpbexley.com

If you would like to volunteer, please fill out the volunteer registration at www.isolationhelpbexley.com.

Coronavirus (Covid-19) Update

Please use this valuable link if you wish to get the latest information relating to the COVID-19 virus.

https://www.bexley.gov.uk/services/public-health/coronavirus-information-and-support

Also, there is a phone number for you to call Bexley Coronavirus helpline 020 3045 5398

As always, our team at Slade Green are trying our best to provide our patients with the best possible service so please call us on 01322 334844 if we can help.

Important Statement to our Patients

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE DOCTORS WILL NOT PROVIDE ANY SICK NOTES, ISOLATION NOTICES OR LETTERS STATING THAT YOU ARE UNABLE TO WORK.  YOU CAN JOIN THE NHS 111 ONLINE SERVICE OR CLICK THE E-CONSULT RED BUTTON ABOVE FOR ANY OF THESE FORMS, YOU DO NOT NEED A TELEPHONE CONSULTATION WITH THE DOCTOR.

We are only allowing telephone consultations at the moment.  There will be no face to face appointments until further notice.

When a doctor/nurse calls you back, they will triage you over the phone and direct you further.

Please only ask for a telephone consultation if its really necessary, any other non-urgent appointments can wait until we are back to some kind of normality.  

ONLY COME INTO THE SURGERY IF YOU HAVE BEEN INVITED BY THE DOCTOR FOLLOWING A TELEPHONE CONSULTATION.

If any member of your household has a cough, fever or any other symptoms of the virus, you will need to self isolate for 14 days.

If you are at all worried and do show signs of the virus, you can log onto NHS online or call NHS on 111.

Repeat prescriptions can be requested via email Sladegreen.medicalcentre@nhs.net or posted through our letter box and will still require approx 48 working hours turnaround however due to the current conditions, this may take a little longer.

You can also come to the practice door and ring on the buzzer if you are collecting a prescription.

CCG Guidance - ON-LINE APPOINTMENT BOOKING HAS BEEN SUSPENDED.

Please remember that if you would like a chaparone to accompany you into your consultation, all our reception team are qualified to do so.  Please ask at reception.

Important Notice:

We have introduced a new efficient way providing follow up for patients after blood tests or scans or any hospital investigations.

Patient will be required to book a telephone consultation after their hospital investigations with the GP who requested it to maintain continuity of care with the doctor and prompt results.

On average blood results can take 10 days to 2 weeks, hospital scan results can take 2-4 weeks. Patients can book these telephone consultations after their blood test or scans.

Our reception staff will also be able to call you and book these appointments, please make sure we have your up to date contact numbers. You could do this via our online services or to visit the surgery to amend this.

Privacy Notice: GDPR

Data Protection - How we use your information

Welcome to Slade Green & Colyers Lane Medical Centres

This website was set up for your help and guidance.  The details may be subject to change from time to time, so please check with the reception staff who will be happy to assist you.

We currently employ 7 Receptionists which includes a Head Receptionist, who will try in every way to help you. In addition, we also have a dedicated Prescription clerk to help with our repeat prescriptions.  Our current turnaround time for repeat prescriptions is 48 working hours so please make sure you make allowances for this.

Our Receptionists are trying to do a difficult and demanding job, often working under extreme pressure. Please remember the Receptionists carry out their duties, as instructed by the Doctors, with the intention of making the Practice run safely and smoothly.

Therefore, if you feel that you are being asked too many questions or kept waiting, this is unintentional. Please try to help by giving the Receptionist the necessary information as she/he needs to try and judge the urgency of the request and whether you need to see the GP, Nurse or Healthcare Assistant. 

Out of Hours Service Telephone 111

To speak to a doctor when the surgery is closed, please dial: 111. The person who answers your call will direct you to the services that can help you best. Remember, A&E services should only be used in critical or life-threatening situations. There are also Urgent Care Centres at Queen Mary’s Hospital, which is open 24 hours, 7 days a week and at Erith Hospital, which is open from 8am to 10pm, 7 days a week.