CORONA VIRUS UPDATE

PLEASE FOLLOW THE GOVERNMENT GUIDELINES 

If you have a COUGH, HIGH TEMPERATURE OR CHANGE TO TASTE AND SMELL

You must go home, self-isolate and arrange a covid test.

You do not need to call us or NHS 111 to report your cough / high temperature. For further information please go to https://111.nhs.uk/covid-19

If you feel really unwell, call NHS 111 for medical advice

If you have another condition you are worried about please contact the Surgery

PHONE FIRST APPOINTMENT SYSTEM

All patients are requested to call if they require an appointment.

We continue to offer face to face and telephone appointments. Please notify the receptionist of your preference.

Current Appointment System

The NHS is under extreme pressure at the moment and here at Whitley House Surgery we have been trying some different ways of managing the appointment system. Thank you for bearing with us during this period.

DoctorLink

The surgery now also offers DoctorLink. You can download DoctorLink from here: https://app.doctorlink.com/whitleyhousesurgery/register

We ask that you undertake a symptom assessment through DoctorLink. The symptom assessment will ask you a number of questions to help to identify your problem and the outcome will direct you to the right treatment. 

If your outcome indicates that an appointment is required at the surgery, simply click on the 'request an appointment' button then follow the instructions given on the assessment. The Surgery will not call you. 

NHS App

Use the NHS app to check symptoms order medication and book appointments including your flu vaccination. Go to www.nhs.uk/nhsapp

Missed Appointments

If you cannot make your appointment please call us and cancel your appointment or cancel it online so that we can offer it to someone else who needs it. If we have your mobile number you will also be sent a reminder text message with the ability to cancel via text message.

Pharmacist Advice and Treatment

You may not need to see a doctor or nurse. Many minor ailments can be treated by visiting your pharmacist - please click here for an information leaflet. The following website also contains lots of useful information for everyday ailments: www.selfcareforum.org

The Mid-Essex Clinical Commissioning Group have asked GPs to reduce their prescribing of the common medications in the following list. These are available over the counter from your pharmacy. To see list please click here

Appointments

We are able to see you by appointment only. Please telephone us on (01245) 347539 between 8.00am and 6.30pm Monday to Friday. Our online appointment booking service is currently unavailable due to Coronavirus. Please ask at reception for details. A normal appointment is 10 minutes and is intended for one person. Please request a separate appointment for each person. If you feel you need more time then please ask for a double appointment.

There is no restriction as to whom you see in the practice as the doctors provide cover for each other in their absence.

In the event that you need to be seen by a doctor the same day, our receptionist will arrange for you to be seen but not necessarily by the doctor of your choice. Please telephone before 10.00am where possible.

The doctors and nurses will do their best to keep to time but illness is not always predictable and unforeseen events may cause us to run late, in which case we apologise. Our receptionists will keep you informed of any delays.

The surgery offers a chaperoning service. Please make your GP, nurse or receptionist aware if you would like a chaperone present at your consultation.

Telephone Advice

Telephone advice is available from our doctors and nurses. Please ask our reception staff if you require a telephone call and they will be happy to advise on our procedure for this service.

Hearing Disabilities

Our surgery reception is fitted with an induction hearing loop. Please switch your hearing aid to the ‘T’ position and advise reception. Help with booking appointments over the telephone is available from RAD (Royal Association for the Deaf). Please advise reception if you wish to use this facility.

Language Translation

If you need an interpreter for your appointment with a doctor or nurse this can be arranged with Language Line. Please inform reception of your requirement.

Home Visits

If possible please try to telephone reception before 10:00 if you require a home visit.

You may only request a home visit if you are housebound or are too ill to visit the practice. Your GP will only visit you at home if they think that your medical condition requires it and will also decide how urgently a visit is needed.

You can be visited at home by a community nurse if you are referred by your GP. You should also be visited at home by a health visitor if you have recently had a baby or if you are newly registered with a GP and have a child under five years.

Sickness Certificates

You do not require a doctor's sickness certificate for any illness lasting seven days or less. Your employer may however require you to complete a self-certification form (SC2) which is available from your employer or on the HMRC website.

Evidence that you are sick

If you are sick for more than seven days, your employer can ask you to give them some form of medical evidence to support payment of SSP (statutory sick pay).

It is up to your employer to decide whether you are incapable of work. A medical certificate, now called a 'Statement of Fitness for Work’ (see below) from your doctor is strong evidence that you are sick and would normally be accepted, unless there is evidence to prove otherwise.

You could also provide evidence from someone who is not a medical practitioner, e.g. a dentist. Your employer will decide whether or not this evidence is acceptable. If your employer has any doubts, they may still ask for a medical certificate from your GP.

Statement of Fitness for Work - ’Fit Note'

The 'fit note' was introduced on 6 April 2010. With your employer's support, the note will help you return to work sooner by providing more information about the effects of your illness or injury.

For more information see the DirectGov website (where this information was sourced)