WELCOME TO MIDDLE CHARE MEDICAL GROUP

Patient Notice

Following relaxation of rules around mask wearing, Middle Chare and Woodlands Surgery will still be making it mandatory for all staff & patients to continue to wear face masks before entering & during the time spent in the premises until further notice.

We take the safety of our patients & staff very seriously, whilst trying to mitigate the risk of the Covid19 infection spreading following NHSE guidance within a health care setting and being able to continue to offer a service to our patients amid the rising positive cases .

If you are unable to wear a mask we will offer you a visor.

We also request that patients/ visitors DO NOT enter either surgery without ringing the mobile number on the external entrance doors and we ask that you wait until a member of staff becomes available to assist you with entry into the building

Thank you for your continued support & cooperation

CORONAVIRUS BOOSTER VACCINE

NHS England Text to book COVID Boosters

NHS England have sent a text to patients to book their COVID Boosters, however until the PGD is published, staff are not eligible or insured under the indemnity to administer a booster vaccine, it is a different PGD to phase 1 and 2.

We have only just received approval for our delivery scheduled on Thursday and until we have received this stock we cannot publish the clinics to offer appointments. For first vaccines we published clinics when we had a delivery date, unfortunately these were delayed and we had to cancel and reschedule appointments twice.

If we receive our delivery on Thursday (hopefully we will) clinics for the boosters will be published, and we can send out the invites. As with phase 1 it follows a strict criteria, Healthcare workers and most vulnerable first, six months from second dose.

Covid-19 Guide for adults

Covid-19 What to expect

We are working with other local practices to provide a single site to offer this vaccine from and this is likely to be Pelton & Fellrose site in Pelton (2 Craghead Rd, Pelton Fell, Chester-le-Street DH2 2NH) as it has ample parking, a separate entrance and exit and enough rooms to just be able to only do covid vaccines safely.

Groups

IMPORTANT NOTICE

WE HAVE HAD TO TAKE THE UNPRECEDENTED STEP OF CLOSING THE SURGERY DOORS TO ALL PATIENTS EXCEPT THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN ASKED BY A GP OR NURSE TO COME TO THE SURGERY. THOSE PATIENTS NEED TO RING THE MOBILE PHONE NUMBER AND A RECEPTIONIST WILL BE WITH YOU.

IF YOU DO NOT HAVE AN APPOINTMENT PLEASE DO NOT BE OFFENDED IF WE REFUSE YOU ACCESS, THIS IS FOR YOUR SAFETY AND OURS.

IF YOU NEED TO ORDER A PRESCRIPTION, PLEASE PHONE BETWEEN 2PM AND 4PM OR USE ONLINE SERVICES.

ADVICE REGARDING RESCUE PACKS

Rescue packs are not being sent out to all patients it would only be needed if you have COPD and are experiencing an exacerbation of symptoms and these are requested in the usual manner. Please refer to the NHS and Gov.uk websites for further advise this is updated frequently.

IF YOU HAVE ANY COUGH OR FEVER OR LOSS OF TASTE/SMELL NHS ENGLAND HAVE ADVISED PATIENTS TO SELF ISOLATE FOR 14 DAYS OR CONTACT WITH SOMEONE WHO IS INFECTED.

ADVICE REGARDING SICK NOTES/ LETTERS REGARDING COVID-19 SELF ISOLATION

GP Surgeries are not able to provide sick notes/ letters regarding self isolation for COVID-19.

Use https://111.nhs.uk/isolation-note/ to obtain a note.

Current NHS guildlines state that if you believe you have been in contact with anyone who has symptoms of the Covid-19 virus you should self isolate please visit NHS 111 online www.111.nhs.uk for more information.

With regards to working from home in the future this is something you need to discuss and arrange with your line manager GPs are unable to advise on this matter at the present time.

Care Navigation

We operate Care Navigation which is an initiative to help people to find the most appropriate source of help when they call our practice or pop in to make an appointment.

Our specially trained Receptionists/Care Navigators will ask questions about why appointments are required. You are not obliged to answer the questions they ask, however by doing so we can make sure that those people who really need to see a GP can see them as soon as possible.

Most people who calls to make an appointment asks to see a GP, but very often help will be available more quickly from other highly skilled medical professionals such as nurses or pharmacists, or from other services, including the voluntary sector, who can support people with a wide range of social, emotional or practical needs.

If you would like any further information about Care Navigation, please speak with one of our Care Navigators or our Practice Office Manager.

Keeping You Informed

You can find out information about medical conditions and diseases through our patient information leaflets as well as keep up to date with all the latest practice news and developments.

You can also visit us on FaceBook Visit us on Facebook

Repeat medication

Like many other surgeries, we stopped doing requests by phone some years ago for safety reasons as many medicines sound the same and have difficult names to pronounce which can lead to mistakes being made. There are several ways to order medication, either online, post, via several local pharmacies or by dropping the request slip into the box in the surgery reception. Currently due to Coronovirus we are allowing patients to ring us to order prescriptions.

Access

Our building has suitable access for disabled patients. All the patient areas including the waiting room and the consulting rooms have wheelchair access.

Out of Hours Emergency Care

If you need to out of hours emergency care then NHS Choices offers a search facility for A&E and Urgent Care Centres, so please click here for details.

Online Consulting

Welcome to our new online consulting tools and you can contact us about a medical, administrative or prescription issue by clicking either of the logos

Answer a few short questions and we will get back to you within 2 working days.

Please do not use this online form for urgent or emergency requests. The submitted forms will only be read during office hours. The forms will not be read on the weekends (Saturdays and Sundays) or on bank holidays.
They will not be read Monday-Friday between the hours of 1800 - 0800.
Please contact 111 during out of hours or 999 if this is an emergency.