Fleetwood Surgery Opening Times
Welcome to the first newsletter from your Patient Participation Group (PPG). The PPG meets every two months with Practice staff and our joint aim is to produce information about the way in which the Practice operates so that you have all the information that you need. This leaflet has been designed with you, our patient, in mind. The surgery was delighted to win GP Practice of the year 2015 in August but we all want to keep improving so that we can meet your needs.
Fleetwood Surgery Opening Times
The opening hours of the surgery are 8.30am to 6pm Monday to Friday with the provision of weekend appointments (see below). Out of these hours please call 111 which is available 24 hours a day 7 days a week. In the event of a serious, life-threatening illness, such as chest pain or shortness of breath, phone 999.
At the weekend
It has recently become possible to offer weekend appointments under a pilot scheme until April 2016. This means that you may not have to take time off work to see the doctor, as weekend appointments can be booked via Reception. There are also some nurse appointments for smear tests available.
Local Pharmacies
Minor injuries and illnesses such as tummy upsets can be dealt with by your local Pharmacist who will have a private area to discuss/examine your problem. In some instances they can also issue medication.
Repeat prescriptions can be requested on line or by phoning our dedicated phone line 01253 957551 between 10am and 12 noon daily. Please ensure that you phone between these times.
Practice Staff News
As you may already be aware, Dr Kwun is retiring at the end of September and he leaves with thanks from patients and staff alike who all wish him an excellent retirement. This alters our GP situation at the present time and the remaining GPs are Dr Syed Maqbool Ali, Dr Adam Janjua and Dr Imran Ali, supported by Dr Ayo Akinduro who is a GP Registrar. The practice has also been lucky enough to secure the services of a lady GP for one day a week and some of you may already have met her - Dr Jacky Panesar. The Practice is still trying to secure another GP as well but as you are probably aware there is a national shortage of GPs, and for this reason we all need to make sure that we are using all our people to the very best effect.
Did you know, for example, that you can have a telephone consultation with the doctor, and the practice is also looking at the use of video consultations?
Our nurses, Sisters Johanne Coward and Dawn Taylor are able to help with a range of health issues which include weekly diabetes, cardiovascular and respiratory clinics; smear tests; vaccinations; family planning advice and health promotion including weight loss advice.
Healthcare Assistants Sarah Groves and Debbie Watson will see new patients for registration,undertake health checks, blood tests, blood pressure, ECGs, flu vaccinations, dressings and some chronic disease checks.
Our Receptionists are your first point of contact whether you are phoning or calling in. As mentioned earlier, they only want to know why you want to see the doctor so that they can make sure that the doctor is the right person for you to see and you are seen within appropriate timescales – what you discuss with the Receptionist is entirely up to you. There is a private room for you to discuss any private or confidential issues and you need only ask. The PPG will be conducting face-to-face chats with patients in the near future to find out your views. In the meantime, if you wish to make your views known straightway please contact Liz Thompson,
There is a Pharmacist, David Mabaya, who works with the Practice once a week on a Wednesday,and Davidis available should you wish to discuss your medication(s) and the Reception team can organise a call back from him too.
Mental Health Nurses
We are really pleased that additional funding has been secured to provide two Mental Health Nurses who start with us in October, and we would like to welcome Angela and Lauren to the clinical team.
Student Nurses
The practice will begin to welcome Student Nurses from October so you may see more fresh faces around the place.
Who do I talk to if something goes wrong?
Contact Liz Thompson, Practice Manager, who would be pleased to discuss any issue you may wish to raise. She is available for a chat when things go right too.
News Update
Retirement
Receptionist Sheila is retiring in October after 14 years with Dr Ali’s Surgery. Her patient knowledge and vast experience is going to be missed!
Flu jabs
Open sessions are to take place on Saturday 3rd October and 17th October between 9am and 12.30pm. These are drop in sessions and you can call in at any time without an appointment. Members of your PPG will be helping out at these clinics so feel free to ask us any questions.
Future PPG newsletters will provide information but also offer an insight into the working day of staff members. We will aim to deal with questions and give details of the role and responsibilities of the PPG and how you can get involved
FAQs
How long will it take for my result to come back?
The general timescale for test results are:
- X-ray2 weeks
- Blood test5 days
- Urine test5 days
- Biopsy1 week
- Smear testSent straight from the laboratory
It is important to note that test results arranged by Hospital Consultants are not usually reported back to the Practice, therefore your first point of contact should be the Consultant’s Secretary.
What can I do on line?
There is a wealth of information on line. Please visit Fleetwoodsurgery.nhs.uk as a first stop. Ask at Reception for details of how to get secure access to order prescriptions and book appointments on line using the Patient Access site. There is also a Facebook page that you can view and like.
What is the Electronic Prescription Service?
Instead of printing your prescription, it can be sent electronically to the Pharmacy of your choice. This is particularly useful for repeat prescriptions as it means you do not have to call into the surgery to collect your prescription.
THE NEXT NEWSLETTER (EARLY DECEMBER) WILL INCLUDE:
- A day in the life of a member of admin staff
- Profile of one of the medical team
- Role and responsibilities of the PPG and how to get involved
- PPG member facts
- Christmas opening arrangements
If you are interested in learning more about any of the issues which appear in this newsletter, please contact Liz Thompson who will put you in touch with any member of the PPG.
This newsletter has been produced by the Fleetwood Surgery PPG in the interest of promoting excellence in communication.