SURGERY CLOSURE THURSDAY 27.02.2020
The Surgery will be closed from 12.30pm for the afternoon on Thursday 27th February 2020 due to staff training as part of the CCG Practice Time to Learn Event.
The Surgery will re-open at 8am on Friday 28th February 2020.
Please contact NHS 111 if you need advice during this time.
We apologise for any inconvenience caused.
Our usual opening hours remain the same at all other times.
CORONA VIRUS INFORMATION
The NHS in England and Public Health England (PHE) are extremely well prepared for outbreaks of new infectious diseases. The NHS has put in place measures to ensure the safety of all patients and NHS staff while also ensuring services are available to the public as normal.
The risk to the general public is moderate. If you have arrived back to the UK from mainland China, Thailand, Japan, Republic of Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia or Macau within 14 days, follow the specific advice for returning travellers.
Call 111 now if you've been:
• to Wuhan or Hubei Province in China in the last 14 days (even if you do not have symptoms)
• to other parts of China, including Macau and Hong Kong, in the last 14 days and have a cough, high temperature or shortness of breath (even if it's mild)
• to Thailand, Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, Republic of Korea or Malaysia in the last 14 days and have a cough, high temperature or shortness of breath (even if it's mild)
• in close contact with someone with confirmed coronavirus
Do not go to a GP surgery, community pharmacy or hospital. Call 111, stay indoors and avoid close contact with other people.
Like the common cold, coronavirus infection usually occurs through close contact with a person with novel coronavirus via cough and sneezes or hand contact. A person can also be infected by touching contaminated surfaces if they do not wash their hands.
The risk of being in close contact with a person with coronavirus or contaminated surfaces is very low at the current time, as members of the public who have visited Wuhan or Hubei province, China are currently in isolation.
Testing of suspected coronavirus cases is carried out in line with strict regulations. This means that suspected cases are kept in isolation, away from public areas of the hospital and returned home also in isolation. Any equipment that come into contact with suspected cases are thoroughly cleaned as appropriate. Specific guidance has also been shared with NHS staff to help safeguard them and others.
Patients can be reassured that their safety is a top priority, and are encouraged to attend all appointments as usual. Everyone is being reminded to follow Public Health England advice to:
• Always carry tissues with you and use them to catch your cough or sneeze. Then bin the tissue, and wash your hands, or use a sanitiser gel.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after using public transport. Use a sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are unwell.
Further information is available on nhs.uk.
NEW PHONE SYSTEM
We have had a new telephone system installed. Please note that ALL calls are now recorded for training and quality purposes.
SHARPS BIN DISPOSAL
From January 1st 2019 you will no longer be able to return your sharps bins to your local pharmacy. Epping Forest Council has arrangements in place for the disposal of used sharps bins, details of which can be found by clicking on the link below.
Epping Forest sharps bin disposal information
EVENING AND WEEKEND GP APPOINTMENTS
The West Essex Evening and Weekend GP service provided by HUC (Herts Urgent Care) offers additional, pre-booked appointments at convenient times to suit your needs.
Please see the attached information or contact reception for details.
HUC Patient Information
PATIENT PARTICIPATION GROUP MEETING
Our next meeting is on Monday 15.06.2020 at 7.30pm at the surgery. All registered patients are welcome to attend.
Physiotherapy Self Referral
Patients can now find full details of how to complete the self-referral process for Physiotherapy on the EPUT website via the following link:
https://eput.nhs.uk/our-services/essex/west-essex-community-health-services/adults/rehabilitation/musculo-skeletal-physiotherapy/physiotherapy-self-referral-form/
On this page it explains how patients can complete a Physiotherapy Self-Referral Form themselves and then email or post it to EPUT. Or, patient's can simply phone EPUT directly to discuss the self-referral process, if they would prefer to do so by calling: 01279 827404 (lines open 09:00 – 16:00 Monday to Friday).
TEXT MESSAGES
Due to the new GDPR requirements, we are no longer be able to text you unless we have your explicit consent. Please call into the surgery to complete a consent form if you have not already done so.
PARKING RESTRICTIONS
Please note that you cannot park on the single yellow lines in Rous Road and Hurst Road between the hours of 1 and 2pm. You may park there at any other time. Please also be aware that neighbouring Dene Road is now resident permit parking only. You may want to try and avoid these times when planning your visit to the surgery.