Updated Wednesday 8th April 2020

Information for Patients

EASTER OPENING TIMES

Mitcheldean Surgery will be open as usual on Good Friday and Easter Monday; this is to help with the growing pressure on the local health service.

We will be treating this as a normal working day. As a reminder, we are running emergency telephone consultations only and patients will be invited in if they need to be seen. In most cases, what’s needed can be dealt with over the telephone.

The Dispensary will also be open as usual – please note they close between 12.30 and 2.30 pm daily.

THE SURGERY IS NOT CLOSING AND WILL REMAIN OPEN AS USUAL.

IMPORTANT MESSAGE:

An INCORRECT post is currently circulating on Facebook that says all COPD and Asthma patients can get a “Rescue Pack” from their GP surgery containing a short supply of steroids and antibiotics.

THIS INFORMATION IS WRONG and is already causing a high volume of calls to the Surgery at an already incredibly busy time. 

“Rescue Packs” are available for SOME COPD patients ONLY, and those patients will already have their supply in place.

PLEASE DO NOT CALL THE SURGERY REGARDING THIS.

Updated Surgery Information

As you are probably aware, we are making arrangements to try and reduce the amount of footfall through the Surgery.  We are trying to help you, so please help us by following these guidelines.

We would ask all patients not to come into the Surgery unless absolutely necessary.  If you or a member of your family is suffering from a high temperature  or a new, continuous cough then please adhere to the current Government guidelines with regard to self-isolation.

If you do have to come to the Surgery, please come alone if at all possible.  If your family members are not attending for their own health needs please ask them to stay at home.

Please visit our website regularly as the current situation is constantly changing and this is where any updates will be posted.

Contacting the Surgery

The number of telephone calls to the Surgery has increased considerably over the last week or so.  We are answering your calls and trying to deal with your queries as quickly as possible, but regret that sometimes there may be a bit of a wait.  We would ask all patients to use our online services wherever possible.

If your query or concern is not urgent, for example, if you are requesting a sick note, or are looking for your test results, please use this website to submit your query and we will respond to your enquiry. This frees up our telephone lines so that our doctors can call out to other patients.

Please be aware that all our telephone calls are recorded and we have a zero tolerance policy towards abusive language or behaviour to our staff.

Appointments

We are currently operating a total triage service for appointments.  When you call for an appointment you may be offered a telephone call from the doctor in the first instance.  If the doctor then feels it is necessary for you to be seen face to face you will be asked to come into the Surgery.

Our Reception Team have been given guidelines by our GPs to ask all patients some specific questions relating to their current state of health.  We would appreciate your co-operation and help with providing this information.

If you already have a pre-booked appointment, this will stand unless you have been contacted and advised otherwise.

Medication Requests

Wherever possible, please order your repeat prescriptions online.  You can use your SystmOnline account, or order directly via this website.

Try to align your requests to get as many of your monthly medications due at a similar time so you only need to make one or fewer trips to the Surgery to collect these.

Please pop your request slips into the letter box on the outside wall to avoid coming into the Surgery.  We will be installing a larger box inside the foyer in the next few days – if you see that in place you can use that too.

Please order your repeat medication as you would normally – there is no need to order early or to request extra.

Due to the volume of requests for repeat medication we are receiving, we have extended the turnaround time from 2 working days to 1 week.  Please request your prescription at least a week before you are due to run out – from receipt of request it will take approximately 1 week to have this ready for you.

We are also extending the time we are open for you to collect your medication, and will now be open from 2.30 pm to 6.00 pm for collections.  Please wait in the foyer if you can see someone being served at the Dispensary window.  We are trying to avoid queues in the waiting area.

Thank you for your co-operation.

Sick Notes

The law states that if you are unwell you can self-certify for the first 7 days.

If you need a sick note, you can request this online via this website.  Please include the date you wish the note to run from, plus the reason for your sickness.

To try and reduce the footfall in Surgery, once generated by your GP your sick note will either be e-mailed or posted back to you by 2nd class post.

If you need a sick note for your employer as you have been told to self isolate or are choosing to self isolate but are not unwell, we cannot provide this.  You can request an isolation note online at http://www.111.nhs.uk/isolation-note.

GP Letters

In order to try and reduce footfall in Surgery, any letter requested from your GP will be posted back to you by 2nd class post.

We thank all patients for their co-operation and understanding at this difficult time.

For more information

• NHS Coronavirus Information – Read the latest information from the NHS on how you can stop the spread of coronavirus.
• www.forestgpsurgeries.co.uk – Find out how the 11 GP Practices in the Forest of Dean are working together to manage the coronavirus crisis.
• Gloucestershire Community Help Hub – Find out how the Hub can help support people struggling in these difficult times.  If you are able to offer some help to others, they would love to hear from you.
• Gloucestershire Hospitals – Find out how local services, including out patient appointments and planned surgery, are being affected by the current situation.
• GOV.UK – Read the latest information issued by the Government on coronavirus.