Welcome to The River Surgery
We are confident that our website will provide clear and concise help and give our patients the information they require in an easy and convenient format. It has been designed with the patient’s needs at the forefront of everything, from checking surgery times to letting us know what you think of us.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information
COVID VACCINATIONS
Please don’t contact the surgery to seek a vaccine, we will contact you by text or telephone to book your appointment;
When we do contact you, please attend your booked appointments at exactly the time you’re asked to, so that we can avoid queues in the cold weather;
Please continue to follow all the guidance in place to control the virus and save lives, even if you have already had your vaccine.
AstraZeneca (AZ) Vaccine - please click on the link below for the latest guidance.
COVID-19 vaccination and blood clotting - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
ONLINE BOOKING - PLEASE NOTE THIS IS TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED
This is to mitigate any risk that potentially infected patients might book appointments online and attend the practice.
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, we are taking steps to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all patients and staff at the practice.
We ask that if you have symptoms of a high temperature or a new, continuous cough, or you live with someone that is experiencing any of these symptoms that you self-isolate as per NHS Guidance (see the latest COVID-19 advice).
Appointments
We are now telephone triaging all appointments with our clinicians when you call to make an appointment. Telephone triage will be the appointment system we use from now on.
Please telephone the surgery from 8am each week day to book a telephone consultation with a clinician.
A clinician will assess your case over the telephone and advice will be given. You may also be offered a video (AccuRx) consultation.
AccuRx Video Link Patient Instructions
You will only be asked to attend the practice for a face to face assessment by the clinician if this is necessary.
Please DO NOT attend the surgery unless advised to do so by a clinician.
Please be assured that you are not 'wasting our time' and that it is important to seek advice if you have any health concerns.
Immunisation for children during COVID-19
Please continue to book in your children for their routine immunisations. As long as all members of the household are well and not displaying symptoms of Coronavirus or other infections, children should have routine childhood immunisations as normal.
We are taking appropriate measures to minimise the risk to staff and patients by reducing the number of people coming into the surgery, therefore only one parent/guardian is to accompany the child.
Cervical smears
We continue to carry out routine cervical smears.
Please telephone the surgery to book your appointment.
B12 injections
We continue to carry out Vitamin B12 injections.
Please telephone the surgery to book your appointment.
If you have any chronic conditions such as asthma / COPD or diabetes and have any concerns, please contact the surgery to arrange a telephone consultation with a clinician.
Prescriptions
Repeat prescriptions can be requested online or posted through our secure letterbox at the staff entrance at the front of the building.
If you have a nominated pharmacy, your prescription will automatically be sent there.
If you do not have a nominated pharmacy please contact the surgery and we will arrange this for you.
We are still providing other routine appointments such as Mother and baby checks, childhood immunisations, vaccinations, dressings and smears. Please contact Reception for further information.
Sepsis Awareness Information
Please click on the leaflet below to find out how to spot Sepsis and serious illness in children.
Spotting Sepsis in Children
Serving You
Our dedicated team are here to treat those minor ailments that occur as well as providing specialist management of long-term conditions and clinics covering a wide range of healthcare issues. The technology also means you can now do a lot of things from the comfort of your home such as order a repeat prescription or cancel an appointment.
Partners in Care
Once registered, patients and healthcare professionals work together to ensure the most appropriate care is provided. This partnership philosophy extends even further and our active patient group exists to make sure that patient needs and the practice offering are always heading in the same direction.
Safeguarding Adults and Children
The River Surgery is committed to protecting children and vulnerable adults and we will make their welfare our highest priority. Where additional support is necessary this will include working with other agencies. If you have any concerns about a child or vulnerable adult please contact the surgery.
Useful safeguarding contacts:
NSPCC helpline: 0808 800 5000 If you're worried about a child, even if you're unsure, contact NSPCC professional counsellors for help, advice and support.
Childline 0800 1111: Offers free, confidential advice and support for any child 18 years or under, whatever the worry.
MIND: Mental Health Support with specific advice on ‘Coronavirus and your wellbeing’. www.mind.org.uk
YoungMinds: Supporting children and young people and their parents/carers with their mental health and wellbeing. Specific advice on managing self-isolation and anxiety about coronavirus. https://youngminds.org.uk
ICON: Babies cry: You can cope. http://iconcope.org/
SafeLives: Specific resources for domestic abuse and COVID. https://safelives.org.uk/news-views/domestic-abuse-and-covid-19
IRISi interventions: irisi.org/iris/find-your-local-iris-site/
REFUGE for women and children against domestic abuse https://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/
The freephone, 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline 0808 2000 247
Essex Compass https://www.essexcompass.org.uk/
Essex Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0330 333 7 444
The surgery has access ramps and toilet facilities for patients who use a wheelchair. The surgery has a car park at the rear. Please note there are parking restrictions in the surrounding roads between 13:00 and 14:00.
A hearing loop is available in reception.
For visually impaired patients, if any assistance is required, please make the receptionist aware. Guide dogs are welcome at the surgery.
(Site updated 12/04/2021)