NEWS: New Clinical Pharmacist joins the practice
We would like to welcome Simran to our practice team. Simran is a Clinical Pharmacist who will be in surgery for one day per week initially. Simran will be able to deal with medication queries and reviews; she will offer telephone consultations from the end of the month.
We are all really pleased to welcome Simran to our practice; we hope you will all join us in welcoming her.
GP practice survey
Help us to plan our services by sharing your experiences
Over the last year, the impact of Covid-19 has meant that we have had to rapidly change our approach to delivering general practice services whilst keeping our patients and staff safe.
As such we are asking local residents to share their views and experiences of services provided at their local GP practice and local health centres by taking part in a short online survey.
The survey has been designed to help local health providers to understand what has been working well, and equally areas that could be improved upon particularly during the pandemic. It’s vital that we hear from patients, carers and service users to help inform the planning process as we emerge from lockdown restrictions.
To complete the survey click here: www.bit.ly/PrimaryCareLLR, the survey will be open until Monday 12 July 2021 and all responses are anonymous. For further information or support in completing the survey email: beinvolved@leicestercityccg.nhs.uk.
‘Step up to Great’ Mental Health services in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland
The local NHS are investing in and improving the way adult mental health care is delivered across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland – and the public is being urged to have their say.
A public consultation launched on – Monday 24 May. Everyone is asked to get involved and help shape future services.
“The Covid-19 pandemic meant we had to quickly change how we worked – introducing temporary measures – to keep service users safe while continuing their care.
We want to know what people think about the proposed improvements we’ve made during the pandemic and whether we should make them permanent. We also want to talk to people about other plans to improve mental health services.”
Mental health heavily influences our whole health and wellbeing. Now more than ever before it makes sense that mental health, just like physical health, is taken care of and maintained. To do this the NHS locally is investing more in local services to dramatically improve urgent and community care and treatment to improve people’s lives.
The consultation runs until Sunday 15 August 2021. The CCGs want to know what people think about the proposals to improve mental health care.
To find out more about the consultation and what is proposed and why, visit www.greatmentalhealthllr.nhs.uk To request a copy of the questionnaire for you to fill in at home or to arrange to complete it with a member of staff, telephone us on 0116 295 0750 or email beinvolved@LeicesterCityCCG.nhs.uk
For up-to-date news on the consultation, follow us on social media:
Facebook: @NHSLeicester
Twitter: @NHSLeicester #GreatmentalhealthLLR
NEW PHARMACY REFERRAL SERVICE
Did you know…?
We are getting ready to begin participating in a new approach to improve access for patients to GP appointments. The aim is to direct patients to the most appropriate healthcare professional, which may be a GP or a pharmacist.
If your symptoms could be resolved by a booked consultation with the pharmacist instead of the GP, you will be given a same-day referral to a pharmacy of your choice.
We think this is a good thing. Once you see how great your local pharmacist is – they are highly trained and skilled clinicians experienced in treating minor illnesses – we don’t think you’ll look back.
This will also help us to free up GP appointments for people with more complex health needs and ensure that everyone gets treated at the right time, by the right healthcare professional.
We are keen to hear what you think and will be listening to your comments and feedback about your experience of using this service.
The link below gives further information on this new service
Campaign video to end abuse in General Practice.
Please watch this video which has been made by staff from UK general practices and remember, we are always doing our best often in very difficult and challenging circumstances with limited resources.
At Dr Virmani & Dr Bedi's surgery we are very lucky with the majority of our patients showing great patience during these busy times but, sadly, our staff do still receive verbal abuse
ONLINE BOOKABLE APPOINTMENTS
We have added some appointments back onto our online service.
Presently we are only adding TELEPHONE APPOINTMENTS for our GP's and Practice Nurse, but they can be pre-booked up to 2 weeks in advance. Please ensure that you give a reason for the call back request as our clinicians are still going to be triaging their lists. This triaging process also means that you may not get the call back at the time stated on the appointment booking.
We are also adding other appointments for our Nurse for certain "face to face" clinical services and we will add more in due course.
We will be monitoring this situation and make changes as needed.
You can access our online services via our practice website or via the NHS or Airmid Apps.
NEW TELEPHONE SYSTEM: Now operational.
What you need to know:
1] The telephone number remains the same - 01530 838866 - and this will be the only number for the practice.
2] A new queue system will be operational for those calling in to the practice.
3] The queue system is designed to hold callers for 10 minutes maximum. Any longer than this and calls will be ended.
4] Your position in the queue will be updated every 60 seconds.
5] There should be no more than 4 callers in the queue at any one time.
6] ALL telephone calls, in and out of the surgery, will be recorded.
You can still help us to help you:
1] Please only call us if you need an appointment, have an urgent medical or administrative query or if we have asked you to call us.
2] If you need repeat medication, please send your request to us in writing or with you repeat slip from your prescription and put these in the grey post box outside the main entrance. Request slips can also be found at the main entrance.
3] Please do not call us about the COVID-19 vaccination booking - we will call you when it is your turn for first or second doses, but this wont be until we have a confirmed delivery date in place or we are given the go ahead by our vaccination Hub.
4] If you have a confirmed telephone call back booked, please answer the call. We are having to call patients back, several times in some cases, which only adds to the telephone lines being busy or engaged and increases the time it takes for our clinical or admin team to deal with matters.
Weight Management in Pregnancy is a service recently launched by Leicestershire County Council, providing support and expert advice for Leicestershire residents pre, during and post-pregnancy.
If you are currently pregnant, you can access the service via a referral from your midwife.
If you’re planning to become pregnant 🤰, our Weight Management in Pregnancy service can advise you on how to achieve and maintain a healthy weight whilst getting all the nutrients you need.
Supporting your recovery after COVID-19
Click here for Your COVID Recovery
New! PPG self appraisal and yearly objectives
Available on the Patient Group page
LONG COVID SUPPORT
NEW Long COVID support group for North West Leicestershire
New MSK Self management app
NEW - Mental Health resources page
CLICK - to see our Mental Health resources section
CORONAVIRUS COVID-19
Information for our Patients
Check your symptoms HERE
What you can do
FOR NEW LOCAL INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT ONE PREPARED - Bringing together communities across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland to support the most vulnerable during the Covid-19 pandemic.
You can also:
- Get informed: Current advice from the Government can be found HERE
- Use NHS 111 Online: Up to date information can be found NHS 111 Online
- Remember: Diagnosis is on SYMPTOMS ALONE
- Get an NHS 111 isolation note: If you are self isolating or working from home, please get an isolation note from HERE
- STAY AT HOME!!
Accessing GP services at this time
- Help us to help you: Do not come to the surgery or ask for a home visit.
- Need an appointment?: Do not come to the surgery. Telephone us, advise us what is wrong and we will arrange for a GP or another of our Clinical Team to call you back. They will invite you to the surgery at a specific time if you need to be seen.
- Need a Prescription?; Do not come to surgery. Order your medication via our online service OR leave your repeat slip or written request in the large grey letterbox, on the wall next to the main entrance.
- Requests for 'sick notes': Do not come to surgery. Please read our practice statement about these types of requests HERE
We thank you for your patience and understanding at this time.
Mental Health Resources for Adults & Children
** PLEASE SEE OUR NEW MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES PAGE, UNDER 'SERVICES'**
Children and Young People resource pack
Getting the right Mental Health support - Adults
5 Ways to Wellbeing
Coronavirus – Sexual health information
Public Health are continuing to run a limited sexual health service due to Coronavirus precautions.
-Contraception-
All contraception queries should call 0300 124 0102 for advice.
We are currently offering limited contraception methods in accordance with the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare. Patients will be offered a telephone consultation to discuss what contraception is currently available to them.
-Sexual health testing-
People aged 16+ can order a free STI testing kit online via SH:24: www.sh24.org.uk
People under 16 should call 0300 124 0102 to discuss testing options for them.
The latest service information, including how services may change over time, can be found on our website www.leicestersexualhealth.nhs.uk
C-Card and Condoms
The C-Card is credit card sized card that gives people quick, easy access to free condoms.
People can find their nearest C-Card location on our website leicestersexualhealth.nhs.uk or by calling 0300 124 0102.
New Counselling Service @ Hospice Hope
Counselling Service for anyone affected by a life limiting condition in North West Leicestershire
Website: http://www.hospicehope.org.uk/
Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hospicehope
Hospice Hope Interactive toolkit
Take a look at the new interactive toolkit “Hope Stories”, which has been designed to reach out to people living with life-limiting conditions in North West Leicestershire. Just follow the link > Hope Stories
Extended Access Appointments
We have increased the number of appointments available for you to see a GP in the early mornings, evenings or at weekends across West Leicestershire.
Depending on your individual circumstances and symptoms, we may offer you an ‘extended access’ appointment. Please note however, that these appointments will not be in your usual GP practice and may not be with one of your usual GPs or nurses.
Depending on the reason for your appointment, and if you are in agreement, it may be suitable for you to see an Advanced Nurse Practitioner, instead of a GP.
The clinician you see will be able to access relevant sections of your medical notes and will communicate what has happened during your appointment back to your usual GP practice.
These appointments will be available at the following locations:
Rosebery Medical Centre, Loughborough
Coalville Community Hospital
The Centre Surgery, Hinckley
If you would like to know more please speak to a member of practice staff.
Future in Mind
Please see the new Future In Mind Service User Leaflet which is aimed at signposting children, young people and their families or carers to the most appropriate place for advice, information and support.
Find out why your data matters
www.nhs.uk/your-nhs-data-matters/
Aortic Aneurysm Screening
Men aged over 65 who have not already had a screening can request a scan by contacting their local AAA screening service directly on: 0116 258 6820. Please follow the link below for further information: Triple A Screening
Do you really need to see a Doctor?
Having a GP appointment may not always be necessary. There are ways to care for yourself and your family without having to visit the surgery. This practice, in partnership with West Leicestershire CCG, is promoting 'self care'.
Before you reach for the phone to try to get an appointment, please take time to consider whether there is something you can do to help yourself or your family member. We have patient education videos here > Sound Doctor
Patients can also check which service they should access with our useful guide below. Alternatively, more information is available on our Minor Illness pages
WHO CAN HELP? | WHAT TYPES OF PROBLEMS? WHY DO YOU FEEL UNWELL? | WHAT DO YOU DO? |
SELF CARE | HANGOVER, GRAZED KNEE, SORE THROAT, COUGH | KEEP YOUR MEDICINE CABINET WELL STOCKED. SEE NHS CHOICES ‘YOUR MEDICINE CABINET’ FOR ADVICE |
PHARMACIST | DIARRHOEA, MINOR INFECTIONS, HEADACHE, BITES & STINGS | YOUR LOCAL PHARMACIST CAN HELP WITH LOTS OF EVERYDAY AILMENTS AND OFFERS GOOD ADVICE. |
GP SURGERY | FEVERISH CHILDREN, VOMITING, EAR PAIN, FEELING UNWELL/ILL | YOUR GP CAN OFFER URGENT APPOINTMENTS EACH DAY. IF YOU NEED A GP OUT OF HOURS, CALL 111 |
NHS 111 | UNWELL, UNSURE, CONFUSED? NEED HELP FAST? | CALL 111 |
GP SERVICES OUT OF HOURS | URGENTLY NEED A GP DURING THE EVENING OR AT THE WEEKEND | CALL 111 |
ACCIDENT & EMERGENCY | CHOKING, CHEST PAIN, SUSPECTED STROKE, BLACKING OUT, BLEEDING YOU CAN’T STOP, STRUGGLING TO BREATHE | VISIT A&E AT LEICESTER ROYAL INFIRMARY OR CALL 999 FOR AN AMBULANCE |