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Patient Helpdesk – update and notice of service closure
The Patient Helpdesk was available until 31 March 2022 to support patients who are waiting to hear about their hospital or community appointments.
From April 2022, patients are encouraged to use the new NHS My Planned Care platform that is available online and will provide direct access to the latest average wait time for appointments and operations for local hospitals, as well as helpful advice and support for patients whilst they wait.
NHS My Planned Care is updated weekly, is easy-to-use and has ‘open access’ which enables carers, friends, relatives to also access information on someone else’s behalf.
Alternatively, patients who have already been in correspondence with hospitals regarding their planned care can also contact the relevant department or service. Details of which can be found on previous letters patients will have received or by contacting the hospital’s Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS).
Addenbrookes
9am – 4pm, Monday to Friday
Email pals@addenbrookes.nhs.uk
Phone: 01223 216756
Peterborough City Hospital AND Stamford & Rutland Hospital
9am - 4pm, Monday to Friday
Email: Nwangliaft.pals@nhs.net
Phone: 01733 673405
Hinchingbrooke Hospital
9am - 4.30pm, Monday to Friday
Email: Hch-tr.pals@nhs.net
Phone: 01480 428964
Royal Papworth Hospital
8.30 – 4.30pm, Monday to Friday
Email: papworth.pals@nhs.net
Tel: 01223 638896 or 01223 638963
Queen Elizabeth Hospital
9am - 5pm, Monday to Thursday and 9am - 4.30pm on Friday
E-mail: pals@qehkl.nhs.uk
Phone: 01553 613351 or 01553 613343
Patients are asked that they only call the GP practice if their condition has genuinely deteriorated, when you will be reviewed by one of the clinical team and appropriate action can be taken in regard to your care.
(Drive-thru at Newmarket Road Park and Ride)
The (free) smartphone and/or desktop NHS app enables you to
1) see your covid vaccination details
2) order repeat medication from us or send us a 'free text' medication request
3) use this without needing access codes from us (usually)
4) choose/confirm your data sharing preferences
5) book appointments online when we are able to resume this access
This way of requesting medication needs an access code from reception. The NHS App is simpler!
COVID JABS - third doses or boosters...
These are now available at the local nationally run sites and you should be contacted by the NHS (text or letter) to advise how to book. You need to do this via 119 or online to book with the national service. We are unable to provide this at our Royston site as earlier in the year.
LOCAL AVAILABILITY FOR ALL AGES
If you are/were immunosuppressed (or may have been on steroids) whilst either of the initial 2 doses were given then you are eligible for a 3rd dose of Covid immunisation - you should receive a letter from the NHS nationally, the CCG, or perhaps Addenbrookes. Sometimes more than one. The search to identify these patients has been broadened and patients on low doses of steroids that we would not consider immunosuppressive may well be included in this group. We'd advise going along with the 3rd jab if this applies to you. Booking for this group may not always be feasible online, so attending a walk in vaccination centre with your letter is the advised method of getting the vaccine if this is the case.
Boosters are offered at least 3 months after the last dose of your primary course (ie your 2nd jab, or third if you are immunosuppressed). The NHS booking system will only permit bookings after this time has elapsed; feel free to try and book yourself if you know 3 months has elapsed and no letter or text has arrived; clearly with covid rates increasing again, getting boosters as soon as avaiable is a sensible plan.
It is entirely safe to have the flu jab at the same time or at any interval before or after the covid jab; this is a welcome change from previous guidance suggesting an interval of at least 7 days.
Our admin email has become an unreliable way of contacting us as the NHS spam filters are blocking more and more mail due to NHS cybersecurity concerns.
May 2022...
Coronavirus remains a concern given the new variants. Incomplete population vaccination still leaves a reservoir of patients vulnerable to infection (death or long covid are both undesirable) or to facilitate further spread.
Whilst we'd love to offer open access for face to face GP consultations, we cannot yet safely remove all the pandemic changes we have needed do introduce. People attending the surgery are more likely to be vulnerable or unwell than those happy to go out and about to shops or leisure activities.
They may even have coronavirus - the number of patients who have consulted for a cough or temperature who are sure 'it couldn't be covid' yet have not thought to get a test means we really must remain cautious. Lateral flow tests are NOT adequate to reassure in this scenario.
The physical size of our waiting room and clinical areas limits the number of patients we can safely allow inside and remain Covid Safe.
At the same time we are very keen to see patients in person when a face to face appointment is clearly clinically necessary.
We have done so since the start of the pandemic and will continue to do so.
Dispensary 09:30-13:00, 14:00-17:45
Doors 08:30-13:00, 14:00-17:45
Phones 08:30-13:00, 14:00-18:00
ALL GP appointments are by phone triage initially.
DO NOT come to the surgery building if you have any symptoms of coronavirus.
BLOOD TESTS - there is now an excellent Drive-thru phlebotomy service open to all patients at the Newmarket Road Park and Ride site in Cambridge. Monday to Friday, 9:30-4:30, no appointment needed.
If the blood test has been electronically requested by Addenbrookes, no form is needed. Blood tests that we request need you to take our request form.
If you could get your blood tests done there, this would free up the waiting room for other patients to attend safely; please ring and ask reception if you need our request form.
Coronavirus vaccine
***UPDATED May 2022***
For those needing a first or 2nd dose vaccination - all new bookings are now via the National Covid Booking Centre or by calling 119 if you have no online access.
The vaccination programme is now being offered by mass vaccination centres and pharmacies, rather than GP teams.
BOOSTERS or 3rd doses - see above
Feel free to contact the CCG if you know you are eligible for a vaccine but are unable to book. To be fair, they are doing an excellent job trying to manage patient expectations against an IT recall and booking system that is again lagging behind Press and Government announcements.
Please read these links before attending for your vaccine.
Information for adults about the vaccine
Why do I have to wait for vaccination?
What to expect after the vaccination
Covid vaccine priority groups
SCAM phone calls and texts
are already happening. The covid vaccine is free, and the NHS will never charge for this; you CERTAINLY will NOT be required to give credit card details. It is NOT available outside the NHS. Be careful!
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ALL appointments are by phone triage initially.
DO NOT come to the surgery building if you have any symptoms of coronavirus.
Our dispensers are still working evenings and weekends to try and keep up with a huge increase in requests yet stay safe at work. Please be patient and only request NECESSARY medication. If there is a queue to collect medication then you must (please!) stay 2m apart and well away from anyone who needs to access the surgery for medical care.
Do please use the 'Contact us' button for any queries - administrative, prescriptions, or non urgent medical advice and we will do our best to respond. Pictures can say 1000 words... (file sizes around 1Mb are ideal). The more and clearer the information you provide, the easier it is to respond quickly. Make sure you confirm your name and date of birth and give a mobile number if possible.
Coronavirus medication remote delivery update
CLICK HERE
Mental Health concerns?
Is 2022 not quite shaping up how you'd like? Not much of a surprise after 2020, but if things are difficult they merit help!
Do you have concerns about stress, anxiety (general, social, health), panic, depression or low mood, phobias, OCD, PTSD?
By all means discuss things with your GP, but if you are over 17 feel free to self refer to this service for psychological support as it is the same one that we will direct you to and self referral is expected!
If you are acutely struggling and in crisis then 111 option 2 is a direct line to mental health support available 24 hours a day.
Lifecraft is a user-led organisation for adults in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough who experience mental health difficulties. They offer a range of free mental health services to help and support individuals in their wellbeing and recovery
Emotional & Wellbeing Support for Children & Young People
More information can be found on these websites, including how to self refer: Chums has now ended and the new YOUnited service details are here. Schools and Colleges should be the first port of call to make referrals.
Centre 33 is free and available to anyone under 25. It exists to help every young person in Cambridgeshire fulfil their potential and overcome problems through a range of free and confidential services - including housing, sexual health, family problems, and bullying.
For drug and alcohol problems there is CASUS (up to age 17) and CGL (over 17)
Other resources for this age group include Keep your head, and Kooth.
Coronavirus testing is not done at the surgery; click here for self referral information
IF YOU’RE COMING INTO THE SURGERY, FOR WHATEVER REASON, A FACE COVERING MUST BE WORN. A FACE COVERING CAN BE A MASK, A SCARF OR EVEN A HIGH NECK JUMPER PULLED UP TO COVER THE MOUTH AND NOSE.
PLEASE NOTE ONLINE ACCESS TO APPOINTMENT BOOKING HAS BEEN TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED DUE TO THE CURRENT CORONAVIRUS SITUATION
We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause - you can still order your repeat medication and access your coded record.
PARKING
The proprietors of the Queen's Head pub have kindly agreed that patients may use their car park when visiting the surgery before 12:00 midday and 3:00 to 5.30pm. Busier surgery consultation periods fit nicely around their needs for customers to be able to park for lunch and in the evenings.
Please make sure you don’t leave cars in the pub car park at lunch time (12-3pm).
We appreciate their offer and understand it would have been even more convenient for patients if staff had been able to park in the pub - but leaving staff cars there all day would not work for the pub!
For those on regular medication there are 13 x 28 day periods in a year, making it cheaper to purchase a pre-payment certificate than pay per item each month. A prepayment certificate covers any other medications you might need and we would encourage patients to use this wherever possible (unless entitled to maternity or other medical exemption)
PATIENT ACCESS
Patient Access lets you use the online services of your local practice. These include, repeat medication, arranging appointments and updating your details. We are working towards the government mandated target of enabling most patients who wish it to have secure access to view their coded medical summary online.
If you wish to use Patient Access you will need to ask for a registration letter from reception. Please note we will require some valid photo ID in order to provide this. The Patient Access website can be found by clicking HERE.
Minor eye condition service
This is a free NHS service available from specially trained Optometrists in the Cambridge area. This is available for patients over 16 years of age with the following conditions:
* Red eyes, red lids
* Dry, gritty, uncomfortable eyes
* Irritated, inflamed eyes
* Sticky discharge, watering eyes
* Ingrown eyelashes
* Foreign bodies in the eye
* Some types of flashes/ floaters
* Recent and sudden loss of vision.
During the pandemic it is important to have discussed the problem with your GP and got agreement this is an appropriate service to use.
Where can I go?
* A & I Lask - 42 Chesterton Road, Cambridge, CB4 1EN 01223357303
* Anglia Ruskin University Eye Clinic - East Rd, Cambridge, CB1 1PT 01223698070
* Boots Opticians - 20-21 Lion Yd, Cambridge, CB2 3NA 01223360006
* D Murphy Optometrists, 34 Newmarket Road, Cambridge, CB5 8DT 01223351819
* Specsavers, 13-15 Fitzroy Street, Cambridge, CB1 1ER 01223305241
* Specsavers, 30 Lion Yd, Cambridge, CB2 3NA - 01223366805
If you require immediate onward referral for a serious eye condition this can be arranged DIRECTLY from the clinic without needing a GP referral.
PHARMACY 2U
Dear Patient
It has been pointed out to us that a company called Pharmacy 2u have been writing to our patients offering their dispensing services. You certainly have the choice of which provider you choose to dispense your prescriptions, but we are concerned that the letter seems to implicate that this company it is part of the NHS. It is not, it’s a private company that seeks to make money for profit.
One of the ways in which our practice can maintain income to sustain your services, is by supplying medication to our patients. Doing this helps make the practice financially sustainable during these very uncertain times of GP closures and amalgamations. Using other services will threaten this.
We really appreciate your support. Thank you.
Unfit? Overweight?
Not sure where to start? Worried about looking out of place? Got some medical issues that might hold you back?
The Active and Healthy 4 Life exercise referral scheme is a personalised 12 week fitness programme drawn up and supervised by qualified instructors, making it easy for you to take up regular exercise. Funding from the council helps keep costs low for participants.
It is for anyone with an existing condition such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, osteoporosis, obesity, depression or anxiety, and some types of arthritis, who would gain health benefits from a more active lifestyle.
Ask at your GP or Practice Nurse appointment if you think you might benefit and they haven't suggested it first. If you brought along a copy of the referral form with your details already completed that would make things easier!
Carers
Are you a carer? Could you in fact be a carer and not
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO TAKE OUR 'FAMILY AND FRIENDS TEST' PLEASE CLICK ON THE PATIENT SURVEY BUTTON AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE
(Site updated 04/06/2022)