C ombs F ord S urgery

Combs Ford Surgery Patient Information Screen March 2018

Checking In Screen If checking in, please use the checking in touch screen. It asks 3 questions: • Month of birth • Day of birth – please select the actual date, not two separate numerals • First letter of your surname

Your doctors and nurses say… “Sore throat? Bad cough? Think you’ve got the flu? If you don’t know what to do, call NHS 111 or ask your pharmacist before seeing a GP.”

Did Not Attends Patients who fail to attend twice in fairly close proximity will receive a letter. If a patient continues to miss appointments, without contacting the surgery, they may be removed from the practice list and may be required to find an alternative doctor. The decision to remove will be taken on a case by case basis and at the discretion of the partners.

Lost Hours In the past three months this is how many appointments were missed:

Cancelling an Appointment If you cannot attend your appointment for any reason, please let us know as soon as possible, even if it’s only 30 minutes notice, we still may be able to offer the appointment to someone else. Thank you for your co-operation

Your doctors and nurses say… “Ouch! Dental pain... We can't help ...but we know someone who can! Call on Freephone number 0800 389 6819 for an emergency NHS dental appointment”

FLU VACCINATIONS FLU VACCINATIONS ARE STILL AVAILABLE FOR ELIGIBLE PATIENTS - PLEASE CALL RECEPTION ON 01449 678333 TO BOOK AN APPOINTMENT Flu vaccinations are an important source of income for your surgery, and we are happy to vaccinate all eligible patients. Support your surgery and book your Flu jab with us.

Dispensary Dispensary opening hours: 08:00-18:30 We are available to take phone calls between the hours of: 10:30-12:00 and 14:30-16:00 We ask patients to allow 3-4 days for prescriptions to arrive before medication is collected

Restricted Prescribing The Ipswich and East Suffolk CCG are restricting certain medications from being prescribed as they are available to buy on the high street. These include: • Paracetamol • Hay fever tablets • Emollient preparation creams

Your doctors and nurses say… “Keeping a supply of basic medicines at home means you can treat minor illness & injury more easily.”

Additional GP Appointments – NHS GP+ Service: weekends, evenings and bank holidays

Suffolk GP + This is an NHS service for- • People with a routine need to see a local doctor • People who find it difficult to attend weekday appointments

Suffolk GP + Appointments made via the practice, NHS 111 or out of hours service Ipswich GP+Bury GP+ Riverside Clinic Northgate St Landseer Road Bury St Edmunds IP3 0AZ IP33 1AE Stowmarket GP+ Stowhealth Violet Hill Road IP14 1NL

Your doctors and nurses say… “If you're feeling unwell, pop into your local pharmacy for some friendly and helpful advice.”

Smoking Cessation Want help quitting but don’t know where to turn? Visit www.NHS.uk to find smoking cessation services available to you.

Your doctors and nurses say… “Did you know you can now sign yourself up to many health services in Suffolk, for free? Get information and help quicker without having to see a GP.”

Self Referral Service For Physiotherapy • Online and telephone access Contact on 01473 770066, or visit www.ahpsuffolk.co.uk/referral • NHS funded • Initial contact within 1 week • Treatment is given according to individuals needs • Contact us directly or via your GP

Your doctors and nurses say… “Back pain? Joint problems? No GP appointment needed.” Call for a physiotherapy appointment: AHP Suffolk - 01473 770066 Ipswich Hospital Physiotherapy - 01473 703312

Telephone Appointments If you have a telephone appointment, please be aware that when the GP/Nurse Practitioner calls you, it will be from a withheld number.

Contact Telephone Number It is important that we have the correct, up to date contact details for you. If you have changed your contact details, please inform reception.

Contact Details – TEENAGERS! Please check that we have the correct contact details for you on our system. We may have the telephone number of your home address and/or your parent’s mobile number.

Your doctors and nurses say… “Parents can get free training to help you and your kids with their behaviour; no need to see your GP first. Search online for Suffolk Parent Hub.”

Change Of Address If you have moved house, please ask at reception for a change of address form. If you have moved away from the Stowmarket area, you may need to register with a local surgery.

Online Booking To register for online services you will need to bring TWO forms of identification to reception. We require one photo ID (e.g. Driving licence or Passport) AND One address ID (e.g. Utility bill, Bank statement) Once registered you will be able to order repeat prescriptions and book appointments online.

Appointments How we book our appointments: • We have on the day appointments • We have appointments available 1 or 2 days in advance • We also book appointments in days or weeks in advance

Your doctors and nurses say… “If you need urgent healthcare, please call NHS 111 before you go to any other service. It is available 24/7 and free to call.”

Right Person, Right Time, Right Place Denise Farrow Nurse Practitioner Andrew Toogood Emergency Care Practitioner Our Nurse Practitioner (Denise Farrow) and Emergency Care Practitioner (Andrew Toogood) are available to see you for a number of problems. They are likely to be able to see you on the day you call.

Right Person, Right Time, Right Place Denise Farrow Nurse Practitioner Andrew Toogood Emergency Care Practitioner Denise and Andrew have direct access to a doctor at the practice, can arrange for a prescription if necessary and can refer you directly to a consultant or specialist if required. Talk to our reception team about making an appointment.

Right Person, Right Time, Right Place Your local pharmacist can give you lots of advice on the best way to treat problems such as colds, coughs, minor burns, diarrhoea, sprains, bumps and bruises.

Your doctors and nurses say… “Need help coping with stress, depression or anxiety? Suffolk Wellbeing Service offers a range of support that could help you feel better. Call 0300 123 1781 or sign yourself up online at www.readytochange.org.uk”

Courtesy and Politeness Our reception staff strive to remain polite and courteous under often difficult circumstances. The doctors expect their patients to do the same Rude or abusive behaviour will not be tolerated and could result in immediate removal from our list.

Waiting Times Please be a patient patient – in future it may be you requiring a longer appointment with the doctor

Your doctors and nurses say… “Your local pharmacist can give you lots of advice on the best way to treat problems such as colds, coughs, minor burns, diarrhoea, sprains, bumps and bruises.”

Smear Test Recent headline news: • Cervical cancer is the most common cancer in women under 35 • A smear test can prevent 75% of cervical cancers • If you are eligible or overdue, book your appointment now

Smear Test If you want more information or have any questions, make an appointment with a nurse to discuss. Don’t shy away from your smear test, it could be a life saver.

About us Leading Lives is award winning social enterprise which provides social care support for people in the home and in the community across Suffolk and neighbouring counties. Our services Our services include day services, wellbeing (older-people), supported living, respite services, community outreach and support in the home. Further Information www.leadinglives.org.uk For services in the Stowmarket area call 01449 745970

Your doctors and nurses say… “Back pain? Joint problems? No GP appointment needed.” Call for a physiotherapy appointment: AHP Suffolk - 01473 770066 Ipswich Hospital Physiotherapy - 01473 703312

What is a Care Navigator? A Care Navigator will make sure you get help from the right person at the right time - right away. Physio Nurse To do this, Care Navigators will need to ask why you are calling so that they can arrange the right care or support for you. Care Navigators have been trained to keep information confidential and to provide a safe service. Pharmacist If you have any questions please speak to reception or the practice manager.

What is a Care Navigator? Receptionists in your GP practice are training to become Care Navigators, to make sure every person contacting the surgery is helped in a way that is right for them. This could be anything from arranging contact or an appointment with your GP or Practice Nurse, providing information on services within your community that could help you, or by giving you advice or information over the phone, perhaps saving you a visit to the practice. HCA GP Physician If you have any questions please speak to reception or the practice manager.

What is a Care Navigator? A Care Navigator will make sure you get help from the right person at the right time - right away. Physio GP Link worker Why will this help? You will get help from the most appropriate person as quickly as possible. Seeing your GP will become easier when you need to. You may not need to visit the practice. If you have any questions please speak to reception or the practice manager.

If you were rushed into hospital, how much would the doctor know about you? Ask today about adding information to your Summary Care Record. Adding more information means health and care staff can make better decisions about you.

C ombs F ord S urgery