**IMPORTANT PATIENT NOTICES**
2.3.2021:
We sadly announce the retirement of Dr Keith Birrell on 1st April 2021. He has been an outstanding, dedicated and extremely valued member of the practice team for more than 20 years and he will be greatly missed by patients and colleagues alike. We wish him a very long and a very happy retirement
25.1.2021
SCAMS – PLEASE READ THESE POSTERS – BE AWARE OF POTENTIAL SCAMS!!
7.1.2021: Could you please ensure we have your most up-to-date phone number(s) and e-mail address, so that your medical records are kept up-to-date and we can get in touch with you if required. Thank you.
6.1.2021
Important Patient Information regarding the second dose of the Covid vaccination:
- The change is due to new advice from the UK Chief Medical Officers
- We are now being asked to prioritise 1st dose vaccinations over 2nd doses to help ensure as many people as possible benefit from the 1st dose
- New advice is that the 2nd dose of the vaccine is still effective when given up to 12 weeks after the 1st dose
- Patients will be contacted directly if their appointments for 2nd vaccines needs to be rescheduled
- If you are a patient and have not been contacted, please attend your appointment as planned
- If you are a health or social care worker, your 2nd appointment will be rescheduled so please do not attend and you’ll be contacted to reschedule this
We hope this is of some help. Please note the practice is unable to offer any additional advice regarding the second dose at this time.
22.12.2020: Suspected Coronavirus: Important information to keep you safe while isolating at home C0719_COVID Isolating at Home Safety Netting Leaflet Revised FINAL 17122.._
22.12.2020: Covid 19 Vaccination Programme: These appointments are made directly from NHS England, you will be contacted in group priority. Please be aware this may show up as an unknown number on your phone. Please be patient and wait to be contacted; please do not contact the practice for any queries relating to this. Thank you.
1.12.2020: Extended Access Service – Christmas and New Year operating times. Please click to view the Extended Access bank holiday operating times SEAS Christmas and New Year Opening Times SEAS Christmas and New Year Opening Times 2020 2021 A4
28.10.2020: Be the Best Poster A4
24.9.2020:
Asked to self-isolate? Sunderland City Council can support with food shopping, medication or essential supplies www.sunderland.gov.uk/coronavirus or call 0800 234 6084
22.9.2020:
Please be aware that your GP practice or NHS 111 cannot book coronavirus tests. You only need a coronavirus test if you are showing any of the following symptoms:
- a high temperature
- a new, continuous cough
- a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste
If you do need a coronavirus test, please go to www.nhs.uk or phone 119. If you live with someone, or someone in your support bubble, who has symptoms or tested positive for coronavirus please self-isolate for 14 days. You do not need a test unless you show symptoms yourself.
2.9.2020:
Flu clinic information for 2020/2021:
Please note that people in the 50-64 year old age group will not be vaccinated until November and December, providing there is sufficient vaccine, and no appointments will be offered for this age group until then. This is to ensure that those who are most at risk are vaccinated first. If you are 50-64 and you are in one of the other groups which is eligible for the flu vaccination, for example you have a health condition which puts you at risk from the flu, you will be invited earlier.
If you are 65 and over, or 18-64 and fall into one of the at risk groups, please ring the practice to make an appointment for your flu vaccination. Clinics will be running as follows:
65 and over: Friday 18th September, Wednesday 23rd September, Saturday 10th October
18-64 in an at-risk group: Saturday 12th September, Saturday 19th September, Saturday 24th October
When attending for your flu vaccination could you please:
- wear a face covering
- attend alone where possible
- attend your appointment on time, don’t arrive early, to maintain social distancing
- wear suitable and accessible clothing as appointment are for 3 minutes
23.7.2020:
Please see attached regarding guidance for patients who are requesting exemption letters for face coverings Guidance for patients requesting face coverings exemption letter
23.6.2020:
Please see these links regarding the use of face coverings…..
And for children ……. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6mq8V1419w
10.6.2020:
Registering a birth: Here is some information from Sunderland City Council regarding registering a birth Registering a birth
8.6.2020:
Accessing Dental Care services: please see below the most up-to-date information re dental care
8.6.2020
Please see a link to the Learning Disability Matters website for families, it has a range of resources to support family resilience and health and wellbeing of children and young people with a learning disability.
https://learningdisabilitymatters.co.uk/covid-19/
2.6.2020
Please see below for info on a new app for CYP MH which is free during Covid 19:
A team across NHSX, NHS Digital, NHS England and NHS Improvement are working to identify a number of digital tools to support children and young people who are experiencing increased mental health needs as a result of COVID-19.
The first supplier to complete the process with the team and show how they meet the requirements identified in respect of the children and young people user group is Healios, for its ThinkNinja app.
ThinkNinja is a mental health app designed for 10 to 18 year olds. Using a variety of content and tools, it allows young people to learn about mental health and emotional wellbeing, and develop skills they can use to build resilience and stay well.
https://www.nhs.uk/apps-library/thinkninja/
18.5.2020:
From today the general clinical case definition for COVID-19 has been updated to include loss of or change in smell or taste. It is now:
New continuous cough OR fever OR loss of/ change in smell or taste
Everyone, including health and social care workers, should self-isolate if they develop a new continuous cough or fever or loss of/ change in smell or taste.
The individual’s household should also self-isolate for 14 days as per the current guidelines and the individual should stay at home for 7 days, or longer if they still have symptoms other than cough or loss of sense of smell or taste.
30.4.2020:
Keeping People Connected information: for anyone who is autistic or has a learning disability or both in response to Coronavirus:-
Sunderland KPC Flyer – Final Version 29.04.20
1.4.2020:
You may this document useful: Corona directory Washington
31.3.2020:
**24 Hour domestic abuse helpline is open – 0800 066 5555**
Wearside Women in Need’s advisors offer confidential, non-judgemental support and information to survivors, anyone experiencing domestic abuse, and their friends and families. We know that the Covid-19 outbreak will have serious impacts on the lives of victims and children. We fully recognise the enhanced risk and hardship that restrictions are putting upon those who are in abusive and controlling relationships. Our plea to all community members is to be vigilant and look after the people around you. If you have concerns, report to the Police – all police referrals are assessed and forwarded on to support services.
31.3.20:
Information for patients: How patients can help the local NHS at this time
We are all going to have do things differently!
You can help the NHS by taking steps to help us work with you…. if you need us.
Helping us work with you remotely
- Give your practice your up-to-date mobile number. Your practice may have to manage things differently e.g. by phone or video to your smartphone or computer. If you have changed your number, please let the practice know.
- If you can, please register for the NHS app if you don’t already have it (or other app such as Patient Access)Either you or the practice staff might need to manage things while you are still at home. This can only work fully if you have fully registered for our online services. Download the NHS app at: www.nhs.uk/apps-library/nhs-appIf you use the NHS app, you can complete the full process online and don’t need to go into the surgery to register. By doing more online, you will help keep the phone lines from being too busy for those who need them. This will give you access to:
- Your records (so you can check for test results)
- Ordering medication and nominating a pharmacy to get your medication from
- Booking appointments (for now these will be phone and video appointments if these are being offered).
- Prescriptions: If you have regular paper prescriptions, we would like to ensure your prescriptions can get from your doctor (who may be working away from your practice) to your pharmacy. This means the Electronic Prescription Service (EPS) – will send prescriptions to your pharmacy. You need to give your permission to your nominated pharmacist or to your practice or via your online practice account (such as Patient Access).This also reduces the need for you, practice staff, and staff at your community pharmacy to physically handle paper prescriptions. You can change your nominated pharmacy at any time. You can sometimes go to other pharmacies and they can retrieve the electronic prescription. More information on EPS is available on the NHS website:
- Coronavirus information: If you have any queries, please check www.111.nhs.uk before ringing the practice or other parts of the NHS such as NHS 111. Do not go to your practice if you might have Coronavirus. www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/nhs-services/pharmacies/electronic-prescription-service
**CLOSING OUR DOORS**
In light of recent developments, please be advised that with immediate effect we are closing the practice to non-essential visitors. Please do not attend the practice unless you have already spoken to a GP or nurse and have been allocated an appointment.
For the latest Covid-19 advice please visit www.nhs.uk/coronavirus. If you have a new persistent cough or a high temperature please stay at home for 7 days. If your symptoms are serious or get worse visit the NHS111 online service. Under no circumstances come to the practice.
Thank you for your co-operation during this difficult time.
23.3.2020:
**GET AN ISOLATION NOTE**
Use this service if you have been told to stay at home because of coronavirus and you need a note for your employer.
https://111.nhs.uk/isolation-note
This service is only for people who:
-
have symptoms of coronavirus and have used the 111 online coronavirus service
-
have been told by a healthcare professional they have symptoms of coronavirus
-
live with someone who has symptoms of coronavirus
If you are not sure if you need to stay at home, get the latest NHS advice on coronavirus.
If you have to stay at home but feel well enough to work, ask your employer if you can work from home. If you can work from home, you will not need an isolation note.
You can also use this service for someone else.
**IMPORTANT PATIENT NOTICE**
Please note we are closed Monday – Friday between the times of 12noon – 1.30pm. Only emergency telephone calls may be dealt with during this time.
During September 2017 we will begin to use a text message reminder service for appointments. Could you please ensure we have your most up-to date mobile phone number. If you do not wish to receive texts from us please let one of our receptionists know.
Our Practice is highly patient focused and we have a multidisciplinary approach to patients’ health care. We aim to deliver the best for our patients by combining the skills of the practice team with other health and social care workers in the community.
We provide modern health care facilities and focus on continually improving the health of our patients and residents of the community.
This website is aimed at providing you the important information about our practice, our services and our staff in addition to some other useful information and tools available for you to use. Please have a look around and send us any comments or suggestions if you like. We can use your comments and ideas to improve our online services and develop the content of this site accordingly.
A ‘healthy lifestyle’ is what we recommend:
- Stop smoking
- Eat a balanced diet with plenty of fruit and veg
- Exercise regularly
- Keep alcohol intake within recommended limits
FAMILY AND FRIENDS TEST
Here at Herrington Medical Centre we are continually working to provide a high quality and effective healthcare service to our patients.
As part of the improvement process we are conducting a Family & Friends Test – this consists of 2 questions. You may be given one at the time of your appointment, or you can answer the questions by completing the form at Reception, or you can complete the Contact Form available on this website with your response. We welcome your feedback and comments.
The 2 questions are:
1. We would like you to think about your recent experience of our service. How likely are you to recommend our GP Practice to family and friends if they needed similar treatment? (please tick appropriate box)
| Extremely likely | |
| Likely | |
| Neither likely nor unlikely | |
| Unlikely | |
| Extremely unlikely | |
| Don’t know |
2. Is there anything we could have done differently today?
URGENT CARE SERVICES IN SUNDERLAND ARE CHANGING……..
Patients in Sunderland will be able to access NHS urgent care services more simply and closer to home after 1st August 2019.
From 1st August 2019, the best way to access NHS urgent care services will be to contact your GP practice or local pharmacy, or call NHS111 when they are closed.
Urgent care is for minor injuries or illnesses which need medical attention the same day, but are not serious enough for the Emergency Department.
From 1st August 2019, these will be the main urgent care services for patients in Sunderland:
- GP Practices – collectively providing extra appointments in evenings, weekends and bank holidays. These can be booked through your GP practice, at one of five locations around Sunderland, Washington and Houghton.
- Pharmacists – local pharmacists are highly trained and provide free, confidential advice on minor illnesses from sickness and diarrhoea to hay fever.
- Urgent care centres at Pallion or Bunny Hill health centres, open 10am – 10pm Monday to Friday; 8am – 10pm weekends and bank holidays, no appointment needed.
- NHS111 0 if you have an urgent need which is not life-threatening, NHS111 health advisors are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to help you get the right medical attention for your needs.
To find out more, please visit http://www.sunderlandccg.nhs.uk
