Following the Government’s call to accelerate the Covid-19 booster vaccination programme, the majority of our GP practices have, at very short notice, reallocated the majority of their workforce to delivering Covid-19 vaccines over the next two weeks.

Patients should continue to contact their GP practice for urgent health advice, but are urged to consider calling in the new year if it can wait, or if they can get help from another service such as a pharmacy, to allow teams to prioritise delivery of the vaccination programme.

There is also a wealth of self-help health information on the NHS website – www.nhs.uk – including reliable guidance on managing common winter illnesses.

The HANDi paediatric app has been developed by paediatric consultants for parents and provides access to home care plans, as well as GP and hospital clinical guidelines, for the most common childhood health care conditions.

Cancer checks will continue to be prioritised. People who are concerned about symptoms which could be cancer should continue to contact their GP. This could include a new lump, blood in wee or poo, or a condition that isn’t getting any better.

People will be seen in person if they need to be examined, but most conditions can be discussed by phone, or by video call with a clinician.

Please be kind to the reception team who are working under huge pressure to help everyone get the help they need this winter.

Most GP practices in Devon are open until Christmas Eve, and re-open again on Wednesday 28 December

 Face Masks & Social Distancing

As per NHS England, face coverings and social distancing measures will remain in place across healthcare settings from the 19th July, so that the most vulnerable people can continue to safely attend hospital, their GP surgery, pharmacy or any other healthcare settings for advice, care and treatment.

It is also vital to protect members of our team so we are able to provide healthcare services to patients. Our clinicians will continue to wear PPE and hand sanistiser will also still be provided.

The reception team are following the guidance set by NHS England and we would like to remind patients that abuse towards our staff will not be tolerated. 

Our doors will remain open as they have been since May, and we would really appreciate patients continuing to follow the guidelines within a healthcare setting as you have done since the beginning of the pandemic. 

For further information regarding the announcement, please click on the link below. 

https://www.england.nhs.uk/2021/07/nhs-patients-staff-and-visitors-must-continue-to-wear-face-coverings-in-healthcare-settings/?fbclid=IwAR02C8HscqkXdGVnzPi0SOMIYHD-PYY4g1UuNvKCSKsRo3BYA5veVyNdsKs 

GP patients in Devon have embraced online consultations in huge numbers during the Coronavirus pandemic.

Before the outbreak, around 80% of GP appointments were carried out face-to-face. This figure has been turned on its head, with approximately 90% now conducted remotely.

Not only has this prevented unnecessary contact and reduced risk of infection, it has ensured NHS workers can prioritise the care of people who need it most. We’re very grateful to those who have helped ease the burden on the practice during these difficult times.

But, as we start to emerge from the ‘lockdown’, the message is that online consultations remain a safe and convenient way to access GP care.

If you aren’t familiar with online consultations, they are a quick and convenient alternative to visiting your GP surgery in person.

You can use your smartphone, tablet or computer to:

• Ask about a condition or new symptoms
• Get information about your condition and how to treat yourself
• Discuss a test result and request sick notes.

You’ll then get a response, this might be advice on what to do next through an electronic message, telephone call or video call.

If you need to, you can continue to telephone the practice.  But if it’s not urgent and you have access to the internet, we recommend you continue to consult online to help free up the practice phone line.  We now have the technology in place to carry out video consultations too, and if a clinician determines you need to be seen face-to-face in the practice, you will continue to be offered this.

As well as helping reduce the spread of coronavirus, consulting online also makes life easier. You can complete the form wherever you are, 24-hours a day, and take as long as you want describing your symptoms. And, by avoiding unnecessary trips to the surgery, you’ll also save time and won’t have to disrupt your day.

As well as using your information to support the delivery of care to you, your data may be used by NHS Digital to help improve the way health and social care is delivered to patients and service users throughout England. From the 1^st July 2021, NHS Digital will securely extract your information to provide access to patient data to the NHS and other organisations who need to use it, to improve health and social care for everyone.  

NHS Digital will primarily use your information in a way that does not identify you (your information will be pseudonymised). However, they will be able to use their software to identify you in certain circumstances, and where there is a valid legal reason to do so. NHS Digital may also share your information with third parties such as Local Authorities, primary care networks (PCNs), clinical commissioning groups (CCGs), research organisations, including universities, and pharmaceutical companies.

At the time of publication (May 2021), patients who have a “type 1” opt- out, will  be excluded from this programme and will not have their data extracted for this purpose.  

Further information about GPDfPR can be found here: https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/data-collections-and-data-sets/data-collections/general-practice-data-for-planning-and-research/transparency-notice  

It is a patients choice if they wish to opt out of the NHS Digital data extraction for planning and data purposes. The practice is just informing patients so that you are able to make a decision from the information provided. 

If you do wish to opt out please print and complete the form below and hand into the practice by no later than 23rd June 2021. The practice will ensure the relevant codes and a copy of your opt out form will be on your medical records. 

UPDATE

The practice has been informed that the above has now been moved back until 1st September 2021. This will give patients more time to make a considered decision as to if they wish to opt-out. 

It can be confusing to know which NHS service is the right one for your needs when there are so many options, particularly if you are a visitor to the area and unfamiliar with local services.

Just think 111. The 111 service can be used for any non-life threatening medical issues and you’ll be able to:

• Speak to a medical professional on the telephone
• Be directed to the right NHS service based on your specific needs
• Get an appointment to see a clinician face to face
• Be dealt with by a friendly and understanding operator
• Receive treatment quickly
• Be directed to the nearest pharmacy to advise on any treatment
• Get a guaranteed call-back if there are any delays
• Protect others by freeing up emergency departments
• Help the NHS by getting the care you need directly 

You should also consider contacting your home GP surgery who will be able to provide you with a telephone appointment. If you require medication, prescriptions can be sent electronically to a pharmacy near to where you are staying. 

Our online services can be selected by clicking here  LOGIN   or from the online services menu.

 If you want to make use of this service please register first at the surgery to gain access. Note photo id is required. 

Can we send you messages on your phone?

The Practice would like to use SMS phone messaging (texting) to remind you of appointments and other services. If you are happy to allow this and haven't already given your consent please download and print the consent form below & then bring to the surgery when you can.

Further details are provided on the form.

If you need out of hours medical advice or treatment which cannot wait until the practice is open you can call 111 to speak to a triage nurse. Your needs will be assessed and advice offered or arrangements made for you to see a doctor.

111 online is a fast and convenient alternative to the 111 phone service and provides an option for people who want to access 111 digitally.