Category Archives: Uncategorized

Face Masks

Patients attending the surgery are no longer required to wear masks unless experiencing respiratory symptoms where they should wear a facemask/covering.

Patients booked into an Amber zone appointment and suffering from either a high temperature or respiratory symptoms will also be required to wear a mask when attending the surgery.

Message from your local NHS about help and support available from GP practices 

All the healthcare staff working in general practice are facing a big increase in demand for their services, so your patience is really appreciated.

This message helps to explain to you the reasons for some of the recent changes you may have experienced at your local GP practice.

GP services are busier than ever before, delivering more appointments but in a different way

We are sorry to hear the experiences of people who are finding it difficult to get through on the telephone or who are unhappy with the types of appointment offered. If you need to see someone in person, you still can. We appreciate your patience during this difficult period.

Why are things different from before the pandemic?

Official data suggest that up to 1 in 50 people in England have COVID-19, so infection control remains a high priority especially in healthcare settings where there are sick and vulnerable people. To keep patients and staff safe we need to avoid crowded waiting rooms as well as to carry out cleaning between patient consultations and so it isn’t feasible for practices to see as many people in person as before the pandemic. If we can meet your needs by a telephone or video call this could be safer for you and others and can often be quicker and more convenient.

Rest assured that we are still arranging face to face appointments (often same day) whenever these are clinically required. Your GP team will make sure they arrange these types of appointments when needed. Your GP practice team is working hard to make sure that you get the same high standard of care whether you receive help on the phone, by a video call or in person.

With practices now doing more work over the phone, and due to the increase in the number of patients seeking help from their GP, including for vaccination queries (flu and covid), unfortunately some patients are finding it harder to get through and are facing long waits. We know this is frustrating and can be disruptive for you. We are sorry for this and are working hard to improve your experience when contacting your GP practice.

Please do continue trying to get through to the practice on the phone when you need to and continue to use alternative ways of contacting your practice, such as filling out a secure web form (e-consult) from your GP website.

Helping you get the right appointment for your needs

The reception staff are trained to support you to get the right appointment for your needs and sometimes you might be asked to give information that you would prefer not to share with someone other than a doctor or health professional. It really does help to have this information in order to arrange the right appointment for you.

You may be offered an appointment with a different trained professional who works at the practice rather than a GP if this is the best person to help you. This might be a nurse, a pharmacist, a healthcare assistant or a physiotherapist.

We know that most of you will continue to treat your practice staff with courtesy and kindness. This is really important for all the staff at your practice and they appreciate it.

Thank you for your patience and support during these difficult times for everyone.

How best to access Parkbury House and other services to get quick and appropriate care

If you need the help of a GP, practice nurse or other health professional that works in our surgery, we are here for you.

GP practices are busier than they have ever been, and we want you to know how to get the help you need from us.

As you will know, we have been open throughout the pandemic, offering you telephone and online appointments, with face-to-face consultations available for those who need them. We have continued to help many thousands of patients each week, alongside planning and delivering the COVID-19 vaccination programme.

There are some things that patients can do to help make sure we can see everyone who needs us, as quickly as possible. Please continue to contact us by phone or online as this helps us to manage people entering our practice building; it is much better if you do not come to the practice unless you have an appointment.  We need to keep social distancing in our practice building to keep everyone safe, we also ask that you always wear a mask while in the surgery. Please remember that appointments are a set amount of time, so it is only safe to discuss one or two health issues. If you have more to discuss, please mention this when you speak to reception staff.

Our busiest times of the day on the phones are between 8am and 10am so if you can, we would suggest that you call outside of this time.

During the pandemic, the use of our online system “Online Consult” increased. It is a great way to get clinical advice for your condition, however, it is worth remembering that each consultation takes a significant of time to review and there are lots of other ways to get advice. Also, you will not get an instant response to these so if it is urgent, please call the practice or contact 111.  You can also contact us through patient online access. You can find out more about signing up for Patient Access on our website www.parkburyhouse.nhs.uk/patient-online-access.

On our website we have links to key NHS information and advice. Please also go to  www.nhs.uk which is a as a source of trusted health advice about your or your child’s condition. Your local pharmacist is also there for you as an expert in medicines. They can offer advice for certain ailments. They will also know when you need to contact a GP or another more urgent service. Many pharmacies are open in the evening and at weekends, you can find them on the CCG website: www.enhertsccg.nhs.uk/pharmacies.

Remember if the situation is urgent, you can contact NHS 111 by visiting www.111.nhs.uk or by calling 111.  They can also support with a mental health crisis if you select option 2.

You do not need to see a GP to refer yourself for some mental health services. Find out more at www.hpft.nhs.uk/services/community-services/wellbeing-service If you are worried about your mental health and any harm you may cause yourself please contact your practice.

Remember to always dial 999 straight away when it is a real emergency, for example if you think someone is having a heart attack or a stroke.

Please continue to use general practice when you need to, we are open and there for you.

Thank you for your support.

Cervical Smear Screening

Cervical Smear Screening has now re-started with Saturday clinics. Please call to book if you have received the invitation letter.