WELCOME TO MIDDLE CHARE MEDICAL GROUP

CORONAVIRUS VACCINE

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.

We will continue to keep everyone updated as and when we know more, currently we get information at the same time it is on the national news, so please keep watching the news.

COVID 19 VACCINATION CLINICS (15 December 2020)

There is a great deal of publicity and media coverage about the development of the vaccination against COVID 19.

The GP practices of Chester le Street are receiving high volumes of enquiries from patients as to when they can expect their appointment for the vaccination.

On behalf of practices, Chester le Street Primary Care Network is working closely with NHS England and the NHS County Durham Clinical Commissioning Group and as to be expected is receiving large amounts of information which is being received all of the time.

To help assure our patients and share information, this is what we know at this time:-

Patients will be contacted either by their GP practice or by a central booking service for NHS England. If you are contacted by your own GP this will be by mobile telephone SMS text, telephone call or letter. If your GP has a mobile number for you, you will be able to book your own appointment by following a link in the text. By telephone or letter you will be offered to book an appointment.

It is really important that if you wish to have the vaccination you respond immediately so the GPs can manage the clinic appointments so no appointment slots are missed and no vaccinations are wasted.

Chester le Street area will be receiving 975 Pfizer vaccinations early in January 2021, the precise date is not yet known, therefore, appointments cannot be made until the delivery date is confirmed. All clinics will be in one location in the Pelton area. For patients who receive a vaccination they will be given an appointment to return for a second vaccination 21 days later.

The first batch of vaccinations will be offered to some of the most vulnerable patients over 80 years of age.

At this time we do not have any other dates for vaccination deliveries.

Please do not contact your GP practice to make an appointment for the vaccine unless you have received an invitation.

Dr R Bowron and Dr G Crackett

Clinical Directors

The order we give the vaccine will be based upon the groups below, so Group 1 first, the group 2 etc. and will be by appointment only

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.