ELBURY MOOR NEWS
April 2018
NEW TEXT SERVICE
We have recently started using a new texting service in the Practice. This will be used for appointment reminders with the option to send a return text to cancel your appointment, if necessary. We are hoping that it will significantly reduce the amount of DNA’d appointments. It will also be used to contact patients who may need a review or follow up appointment, Friends & Family test etc. Please, therefore, make sure that you notify us of any change of mobile telephone number.
MISSED APPOINTMENTS DURING MARCH
Out of the appointments booked in with our GP’s and Clinicians in March, 249 were DNA’D (not attended without cancellation). This equates to over 60 hours of wasted clinician time. This resulted in some really unwell patients, who could have been seen quicker on the day, having to then be added onto the end of our surgeries. This then meant GP’s and nursing staff were staying longer to meet the extra demand. PLEASE be considerate and cancel any unwanted appointments.
SIT & WAIT APPOINTMENTS
Please be advised that when you are asked to come into the Surgery for a ‘Sit & Wait’ appointment, this is for one problem only. If you would like to discuss any other non-urgent medical issues then please book a routine appointment.
BOOKING APPOINTMENTS ONLINE
We operate an online booking system for appointments with a GP. If you are not already registered, please ask at Reception for further details.
Please also be aware the doctors have instructed our Reception staff to ask you a few questions to establish the nature of your problem when you ring for an appointment. This is in order to signpost you to the appropriate type of appointment or service.
FRIENDS AND FAMILY TEST
Please ask at Reception or visit our website www.elburymoor.co.uk to complete our Friends & Family Test.
ADMINISTRATION CHARGES
Some of our work is not covered by the NHS and we therefore have to charge a private fee. This mainly consists of reports, housing support letters, paperwork and examinations. We have reviewed our charges for this additional work and as a result, we will now require payment in cash in advance.
PRESCRIPTION REQUESTS ONLINE
We receive hundreds of prescription requests online each week. Please make sure that only routine requests are submitted and that no sick note requests are included as these will not be actioned. Any emergency medication needs to be requested in person at the Surgery and is at the discretion of the doctor.
MAY BANK HOLIDAYS
Please note that we will be closed for the May Bank Holidays as follows:-
Monday 7th May 2018 – Early May Bank Holiday
Monday 28th May 2018 – Spring Bank Holiday
If you need to see a GP in an emergency during this time, please call 111.
We will re-open as usual on the Tuesday after each bank holiday.
ELBURY MOOR NEWS APRIL 2018