UPDATE 08.04.20
Please see attached link for a Coronovirus information leaflet - Coronavirus Stay at Home Protect the NHS. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/877678/coronavirus-leaflet.pdf
UPDATE 07.04.20
CARING FOR PEOPLE AT HIGHEST CLINICAL RISK FROM COVID-19
Background and FAQs for patients
Please note: The information contained in this document relates specifically to people defined by the United Kingdom’s Chief Medical Officer as being extremely clinically vulnerable to, or at highest clinical risk from, COVID-19.
The advice in this guidance may feel stringent but it is there to protect those who are at highest clinical risk and should be applied carefully to this group.
Most people that are within this group will have already received a letter through the post.
However, the process for identifying additional people who meet the clinical criteria but have not been identified through the initial central process is continuing. People identified through this process will receive a letter shortly.
FAQs for patients
UPDATE 06.04.20
NHS asks people to share their coronavirus symptoms to help others. Please follow the link below to help the NHS coordinate its response and build up additional data on the Covid 19 outbreak.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/nhs-asks-people-to-share-their-coronavirus-symptoms-to-help-others
UPDATE 06.04.20
**IMPORTANT CHANGES AT LITTLE RIDGE SITE**
There is now no access to the Little Ridge Site without an appointment.
Please do not even drop in repeat prescriptions or letters- please speak to your pharmacy or contact the surgery by phone or online.
You may have noticed some changes in the car park, we are setting things up so as to increase our clinical capacity as we are expecting increased demand due to the Corona virus pandemic in the coming weeks. This set up is to allow us to see patients safely and reduce the risk of transmission.
We will keep you updated and we appreciate your assistance in attending the appropriate site should you need to attend the surgery for assessment.
UPDATE 02.04.20
Shielding - If you did not receive a Shielding letter from the Government last week and you feel you should have because you are extremely vulnerable, please bear with us as we are waiting for further clarification on a number of points. We will be sending out further letters as soon as possible.
UPDATE 01.04.20
Few useful bits of information for patients who don't have anyone else to help locally
Council Coronavirus helpline
01424 451019 which is open 9am to 5pm Monday to Thursday, 9am to 4.30pm Friday.
Council website where people can register for help if needed- shopping etc
https://www.hastings.gov.uk/my-council/covid19/help/
UPDATE 30.03.20
New advice to support mental health during coronavirus outbreak
People struggling with their mental health during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak will be offered additional online support and practical guidance to help them cope.
- Public Health England guidance will give helpful tips on how to look after your wellbeing, alongside advice for parents and carers on children’s mental health
- Leading mental health charities given £5 million to expand support services
- Plans endorsed by Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge as part of their commitment to mental health
People struggling with their mental health during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak will be offered additional online support and practical guidance to help them cope, Mental Health Minister Nadine Dorries has announced today.
In recognition of the unprecedented challenges which the outbreak and extended periods of self-isolation can pose, Public Health England has published new online guidance setting out principles to follow to help people to manage their mental health during this difficult time, such as:
- maintaining contact with friends and family via telephone and video calls, or social media
- keeping a regular routine and sleeping pattern
- focusing on a hobby or learning something new
Parents and carers will also benefit from tailored advice on how to support children and young people with stress during the coronavirus outbreak, which includes providing clear information, being aware of their own reactions and creating a new routine.
UPDATE 30.03.20
WE HAVE HAD TO MAKE SOME TEMPORARY CHANGES TO OUR COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE. THE FULL EXPLANATION CAN BE FOUND AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE IN THE 'COMPLAINTS AND COMMENTS' TAB.
UPDATE 26.03.20
Guidance on shielding and protecting people defined on medical grounds as extremely vulnerable from COVID-19
What do we mean by extremely vulnerable?
People falling into this extremely vulnerable group include:
Solid organ transplant recipients.
- People with specific cancers:
- people with cancer who are undergoing active chemotherapy or radical radiotherapy for lung cancer
- people with cancers of the blood or bone marrow such as leukaemia, lymphoma or myeloma who are at any stage of treatment
- people having immunotherapy or other continuing antibody treatments for cancer
- people having other targeted cancer treatments which can affect the immune system, such as protein kinase inhibitors or PARP inhibitors
- people who have had bone marrow or stem cell transplants in the last 6 months, or who are still taking immunosuppression drugs
People with severe respiratory conditions including all cystic fibrosis, severe asthma and severe COPD.
People with rare diseases and inborn errors of metabolism that significantly increase the risk of infections (such as SCID, homozygous sickle cell).
People on immunosuppression therapies sufficient to significantly increase risk of infection.
- Women who are pregnant with significant heart disease, congenital or acquired.
Shielding is for your personal protection. It is your choice to decide whether to follow the measures we advise. Individuals who have been given a prognosis of less than 6 months to live, and some others in special circumstances, could decide not to undertake shielding. This will be a deeply personal decision. We advise calling your GP or specialist to discuss this.
The NHS in England is directly contacting people with these conditions to provide further advice.
If you think you fall into one of the categories of extremely vulnerable people listed above and you have not received a letter by Sunday 29 March 2020 or been contacted by your GP, you should discuss your concerns with your GP or hospital clinician.
We understand this is an anxious time and people considered extremely vulnerable will understandably have questions and concerns. Plans are being readied to make sure you can rely on a wide range of help and support.
Stay at home / social distancing / shielding guide
UPDATE 26.03.20
How can you get assistance with foods and medicines if you are shielding?
Ask family, friends and neighbours to support you and use online services. If this is not possible, then the public sector, business, charities and the general public are gearing up to help those advised to stay at home. Please discuss your daily needs during this period of staying at home with carers, family, friends, neighbours or local community groups to see how they can support you. Please visit gov.uk/coronavirus-extremely-vulnerable to register for the support that you need. This includes help with food, shopping deliveries and additional care you might need.
The government is helping pharmacies to deliver prescriptions. Prescriptions will continue to cover the same length of time as usual. If you do not currently have your prescriptions collected or delivered, you can arrange this by:
- Asking someone who can pick up your prescription from the local pharmacy (this is the best option, if possible).
- Contacting your pharmacy to ask them to help you find a volunteer (who will have been ID checked) or deliver it to you.
You may also need to arrange for collection or delivery of hospital specialist medication that is prescribed to you by your hospital care team.
If you receive support from health and social care organisations, for example, if you have care provided for you through the local authority or health care system, this will continue as normal. Your health or social care provider will be asked to take additional precautions to make sure that you are protected. The advice for formal carers is included in the home care provision.
UPDATE 25.03.20
Extended Access - telephone consultations may be available if needed in the evenings and weekends.
UPDATE 23.03.20
Stay at home to stop coronavirus spreading
Everyone must stay at home to help stop the spread of coronavirus.
See https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/ for up to date information.
This includes people of all ages – even if you do not have any symptoms or other health conditions.
You can only leave your home:
- to shop for basic essentials – only when you really need to
- to do one form of exercise a day – such as a run, walk or cycle, alone or with other people you live with
- for any medical need – for example, to visit a pharmacy or deliver essential supplies to a vulnerable person
- to travel to and from work – but only where this is absolutely necessary
WE ARE TAKING MEASURES TO CANCEL MANY ROUTINE APPOINTMENTS NOW. PLEASE DO NOT RING THE SURGERY IF YOU HAVE AN APPOINTMENT BOOKED, WE WILL BE IN CONTACT WITH YOU.
*PLEASE NOTE WE ARE CURRENTLY IMPLEMENTING EMERGENCY PROCEDURES DUE TO CORONAVIRUS. APPOINTMENTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE IN THE USUAL WAY, ALL CALLS WILL BE TRIAGED AND DOCTORS WILL DECIDE WHETHER A PATIENT NEEDS A FACE-TO-FACE APPOINTMENT.
GETTING MEDICAL HELP FROM HOME - DURING THESE EXCEPTIONAL TIMES PLEASE USE NHS.UK WHEREVER POSSIBLE FOR SELF-HELP.
UPDATE 23.03.20
Get an isolation note
Use this service if you have been told to stay at home because of coronavirus and you need a note for your employer.
https://111.nhs.uk/isolation-note/
10 Top Tips for managing Coronavirus at home:
10 tips for managing Coronavirus at home
UPDATE 16.03.20
Coronavirus update:
We are only allowing access to our Surgery sites if you already have a pre-booked appointment and have been through our telephone triage system.
For all other queries, please either telephone the Surgery on 01424 755355 or submit an online enquiry.
Please be aware that our telephone lines are extremely busy at present and bear with us whilst we navigate this difficult situation.
We will endeavour to keep you updated but suggest you check the NHS.UK website with any queries in the first instance.
Thank you.
UPDATE: 12.03.20, 12.30pm
⛔️ CORONAVIRUS: - STATEMENT FROM DR MILAN RADIA AND DR LINDA PARKER:
Unfortunately, due to the current situation, the Practice has taken the decision to temporarily suspend all ‘Open Surgery’ Clinics ( Mon / Thurs / Fri mornings) across all our sites from
Monday 16th of March 2020. YOU SHOULD NOTE THAT ALL ACCESS IS BY TELEPHONE, AND ONLY PATIENTS WITH AN APPOINTMENT WILL BE ADMITTED TO THE SURGERY. Please do ensure your mobile number and contact details are up to date!
This is as a precaution to minimise risks to patients and staff.
It is anticipated that telephone triage will allow us to manage patient care in a manner that reduces risk as far as possible. Patients may have to bear with us, as we do this; you may find that you have to answer a series of questions, or go to sites that are further away, for example.
It would be helpful to nominate a pharmacy for electronic transfer of your prescription, to minimise footfall here at the surgery site.
If you need an appointment, please TELEPHONE the Surgery at 8.30am (01424 755355) or submit an online request here (https://wsp.psf-live.co.uk/8858/#/portal)
Anybody walking in for ‘Open Surgery’ will be advised that it is not operating at present. We will be updating our website and Facebook pages with regular information and informing patients when the situation changes.
We appreciate your understanding during this difficult time and we will endeavour to keep patients updated.
BEACONSFIELD ROAD GROUP PRACTICE CORONAVIRUS UPDATE 12.03.20
We are monitoring the fast-changing situation regarding Coronavirus. We would advise patients to keep up to date with all current information by checking either the NHS.UK website or the GOV.UK website at https://www.gov.uk/…/coronavirus-covid-19-uk-government-res…
We are triaging all patients who contact the Surgery. The symptoms of Coronavirus are:
-a cough
-a high temperature
-shortness of breath
If you have any of these symptoms, you will be advised to contact 111 online. They have a specialist service in place which is equipped to deal with these enquiries (https://111.nhs.uk/covid-19).
UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD YOU COME TO THE SURGERY. 111 online for advice and self-isolate if necessary.
Thank you.
Due to the current situation with Coronavirus, all PPG activities have been suspended. The April meeting has been cancelled. We will keep you informed of changes as they occur.
Thank you for your continued support.
The flu virus can live for many hours on hard surfaces and therefore practising good hand hygiene can limit the spread of germs and transmission of flu. People are advised to catch coughs and sneezes in a tissue, bin it, and then wash their hands afterwards to kill the germs. Practicing good hand hygiene and giving eligible people the flu vaccine is the best defense against the virus.
TEST RESULTS
Please allow 1 week after your test before ringing for results. Please ring 01424 755355 between 11am and 1pm and select option 1 (Monday - Friday only).
Our reception staff are not qualified to comment on results, therefore it is your responsibility to check them and make any necessary follow-up appointment with the doctor.
Please note that we do have a strict policy regarding confidentiality and data protection. In this respect we will only give out results to the person they relate to unless that person has given prior permission for their release or if they are not capable of understanding them.
New - Online Consultations
You can now contact the surgery online to tell us all about your medical problem or ask an admin question.
Completing an Engage Consult questionnaire allows us to quickly and safely decide on the best way to help you, your child or an adult in your care.
If you send us a request within our SAME DAY RESPONSE HOURS you will hear back from us on the day, usually within 7 hours.
If you create an account for Engage Consult, you can also receive replies online, rather than by phone.
Click on the link below to access our Engage Consult Online Consultation service.
We now have a Facebook page. Simply search for 'Beaconsfield Road Surgery, Hastings' to 'like and follow' our page. We will have regular updates on clinic information and useful tips on healthy living and local community activities.
In-house Physiotherapist
We now have an in-house physiotherapist. He will be based at the Little Ridge site and work all day on a Monday. You can book in directly to see him, no need to see a doctor first! The following criteria apply:
• All soft tissue injuries, sprains,
strains or sports injuries
• Arthritis – any joint
• Possible problems with muscles,
ligaments, tendons or bone,
eg tennis elbow, carpal tunnel
syndrome, ankle sprains
• Spinal pain including lower back
pain, mid-back pain and neck
pain
• Spinal-related pain in arms or
legs, including nerve symptoms,
eg pins and needles or
numbness
• Changes to walking
• Post-orthopaedic surgery
Please note he does not see under 16s.
Please ring 01424 755355 to book to see our Physiotherapist 📞👨⚕️
We are pleased to announce that we are now offering more access in the evenings and on Saturdays.
These appointments are only bookable up to 5 days in advance.
Please note that the Surgery and telephones will not be open routinely on Saturdays.
Access to the Surgery will only be granted to patients who have pre-booked these appointments. The Surgery will not be open for any other business.Improving Access
Cancellations
If you cannot attend an appointment for any reason please inform us as soon as possible in order for us to give the slot to someone else. Due to an increase in the number of wasted appointments through patients failing to attend without informing the surgery it has become necessary to implement the following policy:
If you fail to attend for 3 appointments with a doctor or a nurse you may be removed from the practice list and be requested to find an alternative practice.
286 patients failed to attend their appointments in February 2020 and did not cancel, so these were wasted appointments. Please ensure you cancel your appointment if you no longer need it so that it can be offered to someone who does need it.