Useful Information

DNA – Did Not Attend

A ‘DNA’ (Did Not Attend) is an occasion on which a patient does not attend a booked appointment with a member of the practice team without contacting the surgery to cancel prior to the appointment time. Should you need to cancel your appointment, you can contact the surgery on 0121 422 3111.

SystmOnline

This practice currently offer the facility for patients:

  • To book, view, amend, cancel and print appointments online
  • To order online, view and print list of repeat prescriptions for drugs, medicines or appliances
  • To view online, export or print summary information from record, relating to medications, allergies, adverse reactions
  • To view online, export or print detailed or full coded information in their record.

Airmid

TPP SystmOne have developed a new app – ‘Airmid’ – which provides your with existing SystmOnline functionality. Try the new Airmid app now. You can log in with your SystmOnline username and password. Airmid also allows to use your NHS Login. Please see link below.

Airmid UK on the App Store (apple.com)

Airmid UK – Apps on Google Play

NHS Login

NHS login allows you to access a range of health and care websites and apps with one set of login details.  You can log in to your NHS account on your computer, tablet or mobile phone to access the following services:

  • NHS COVID Pass
  • Order repeat prescriptions
  • Book and manage appointments
  • Get health information and advice
  • View your health record securely
  • View your NHS number

You can have an account if you are:

  • Registered with a GP surgery in England
  • Aged 13 or over

 Please see attached link below to login to your NHS App.

NHS App (login.nhs.uk)

Download SystmOnline logging in guide

Seasonal Vaccinations for Higher Risk Groups

Seasonal COVID-19 boosters for people at increased risk

If you have a health condition that puts you at increased risk from COVID-19, your protection from previous vaccines may be lower. If you’re not sure if you’re at increased risk, you can find out more at www.england.nhs.uk/covid-increased-risk (and for a full list of conditions and criteria, please see Tables 3 and 4 of the UK Health Security Agency’s Green Book). You can get a further COVID-19 vaccination this winter to top up your protection. To book, visit www.nhs.uk/book-covid-booster. It can help to bring something describing your condition to the appointment.

It can take 14 days for the vaccination to take full effect, so everyone due a further dose should try to get it as early as possible when you may be socialising indoors with vulnerable loved ones. To book, visit www.nhs.uk/book-covid-booster or find a local walk-in service at www.nhs.uk/vaccine-walk-in.

Encourage people you live with to get vaccinated ahead of winter

If you have a health condition or are receiving medical treatment that weakens your immune system, encourage people you live with to get vaccinated this winter to improve your protection. To book online, they can visit www.nhs.uk/book-covid-booster. It may help for them to take a copy of the NHS invitation sent to you.

Carers can book COVID-19 and flu vaccines ahead of winter

Carers are more likely to be exposed to the flu and COVID-19 viruses. Both the flu and COVID-19 vaccines are available to all carers this winter. You can book your COVID-19 booster at www.nhs.uk/wintervaccinations or you can go to a walk-in vaccination site. Find your nearest walk-in at www.nhs.uk/vaccine-walk-in.

Children in high-risk groups are entitled to a booster vaccination

Children are eligible for a COVID-19 booster if they have a health condition or are receiving treatment that puts them at an increased risk from COVID-19 infection. Book online at www.nhs.uk/book-covid-booster. It can help to bring your child’s invitation, an NHS letter describing their condition or treatment, or a repeat prescription slip to the appointment.

If your child has had a health condition that puts them at increased risk from COVID-19 their protection from previous vaccines may be lower. They can now receive a COVID-19 vaccination this winter to top up their protection. To book, visit www.nhs.uk/book-covid-booster. It can help to bring something describing your condition to the appointment.

Flu vaccinations

If you’re eligible, it’s important to get the flu vaccine because the viruses that cause flu change every year. You can book via your GP or you can find a community pharmacy near you that is offering flu vaccinations at www.nhs.uk/flujab. Some pharmacies will take bookings online at www.nhs.uk/book-a-flu-vaccination or by calling 119.

Public Health Screening

NHS Screening

Screening is a way of finding out if people have a higher chance of having a health problem, so that early treatment can be offered or information given to help them make informed decisions.

NHS screening – NHS (www.nhs.uk)

Above page link gives an overview of screening, with links to the different types of screening offered by the NHS in England.

Your Medical Records

Choose if data from your health records is shared for research and planning.

Your health records contain a type of data called confidential patient information. This data can be used to help with research and planning.

You can choose to stop your confidential patient information being used for research and planning. You can also make a choice for someone else like your children under the age of 13.

Your choice will only apply to the health and care system in England. This does not apply to health or care services accessed in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.

Make your choice about sharing data from your health records – NHS (www.nhs.uk)

First Contact Physiotherapy

What is First Contact Practitioner- Physiotherapist (FCP) service?

First Contact Practitioner/Physiotherapist is a new model evolving in UK. If you have recently suffered a joint, muscle or bone injury or have a chronic musculoskeletal (MSK) related conditions you can now speak to a FCP without having to see a GP first. FCPs are highly skilled and experienced Chartered Physiotherapists working within primary care with extensive expertise in the clinical assessment, diagnosis and management of MSK conditions.

How to book FCP appointments?

Patients with MSK related pain can be booked in to speak/see an FCP directly by a GP receptionist or by GP.

What to expect during FCPs appointments?

A typical FCP appointment involves assessment, diagnosis and first-line treatment. FCPs can also refer patients for a course of physiotherapy treatment, order investigations such as X-rays, blood tests or make referrals into secondary care services using the same pathways as GPs. As a person-centred service, most appointments include self-management advice, social prescribing, and discussions about physical activity and fitness for work. The FCP can also help patients with med fit note and can task the GP/Pharmacist to prescribe pain medications for MSK conditions if necessary without needing to book a separate appointment with GP in most of the cases.

What is inclusion and exclusion criteria of FCP appointments?

Inclusion:               Exclusion:
All soft tissue injuries, sprains, strains or sports injuries·       Acutely unwell
Arthritis – any joint·       Children under 16
Possible problems with muscles, ligaments, tendons or bone, eg tennis elbow, carpal tunnel syndrome, ankle sprains.·       Medical management of rheumatoid conditions
Spinal pain including lower back pain, mid-back pain and neck pain.·       Women’s health, antenatal and postnatal problems
Spinal-related pain in arms or legs, including nerve symptoms, eg pins and needles or numbness.·       House-bound patients
Changes to walking·       Medication reviews
Post-orthopaedic surgery·       Neurological and respiratory conditions
 ·       Headaches
 ·       Acute mental health crises
 ·       Patients who do not want to see a FCP

What is the difference between FCP and self-referral physiotherapy services?

Typically, self-referral services are accessed by patients who know they need to see a Physiotherapist. As most FCP appointments are booked through the general practice’s reception, FCPs see many patients who had not considered seeing a Physiotherapist in the first instance. Also, unlike self-referral or direct access, FCP is not (early access to) a course of Physiotherapy. Should the patient require further treatment, then the FCP can make a referral.

Disclaimer: Information extracted from Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (2021) ‘FCP Services’. Available at: FCP services | The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (csp.org.uk)

Pharmacy Nominations

When you order a prescription online, you can have your prescription sent electronically to a pharmacy of your choice. This is called a nomination.

Once you nominate a pharmacy:

  • you will no longer need to collect paper prescriptions from your GP surgery
  • your nominated pharmacy will receive your prescriptions until you change or remove your nomination
  • any outstanding prescriptions you have ordered may still arrive at your current nominated pharmacy

You can nominate a high street pharmacy in your NHS account, using the NHS App or the NHS website. A high street pharmacy is where you collect your medicines in person. They may also deliver to your home.

Online-only pharmacies send your medicines in the post. To nominate an online-only pharmacy, you must register with the pharmacy through their website or contact them. It’s not possible to nominate an online-only pharmacy in your NHS account.

Please see link: Nominating a pharmacy – NHS account help and support – NHS (www.nhs.uk)

Green Impact

Climate Change is already happening, but how bad will we let it get?  The NHS is responsible for 5% of the UK’s carbon footprint. We need to change how we work to avoid the unmanageable and to manage the avoidable. What can we do?

As a practice we have signed up to the Green Impact for Healthcare Toolkit. This gives us a framework for making changes to ensure we are improving our sustainability and environmental impact – it answers the questions ‘What can we do in our practice?’

Choosing Wisely is part of a global initiative to improve conversations between clinicians and patients to support better shared decisions about care. Please see attached link for more information about Choosing Wisely https://www.choosingwisely.co.uk/. Please see attached youtube link https://youtu.be/FqQ-JuRDkl8

Chronic Disease Management

Frequency of review: Check with surgery
Current status: Available

24 hour blood pressure monitoring
In some cases, your doctor may recommend 24-hour or ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM).
This is where your blood pressure is tested automatically around every 30 minutes over a 24-hour period using a cuff attached to a portable device worn on your waist.
ABPM can help to give a clear picture of how your blood pressure changes over the course of a day.
You should continue with your normal daily activities during the test, although you must avoid getting the equipment wet.
Frequency of review: Check with surgery
Current status: Available

A regular asthma review could help you keep free of symptoms and cut your risk of an asthma attack.

This is a great opportunity to talk to your GP about:
Symptoms getting in the way of things you want to do,
Asthma attacks – whether you’ve had one, or you’re scared of having one,
Medicines – how they help, and any side effects,
Stop smoking advice and other ways to help you avoid asthma symptoms.

Your asthma review is a check-up to see how well you’re managing your asthma, and to see if there’s anything more you and your GP can do to help you avoid symptoms.
Frequency of review: Check with surgery
Current status: Available

Cervical screening (a smear test) checks the health of your cervix. The cervix is the opening to your womb from your vagina. It’s not a test for cancer, it’s a test to help prevent cancer. All women and people with a cervix aged 25 to 64 should be invited by letter. During the screening appointment, a small sample of cells will be taken from your cervix. You’ll get your results by letter, usually in about 2 weeks. It will explain what happens next.
Frequency of review: Check with surgery
Current status: Available

You’ll have regular contact with your care team to monitor your condition.
These appointments may involve:
talking about your symptoms – such as whether they’re affecting your normal activities or are getting worse talking about your medicine – including whether you think you might be experiencing any side effects tests to monitor your health It’s also a good opportunity to ask any questions you have or raise any other issues you’d like to discuss with your care team.

Contact your GP or care team if your symptoms get suddenly worse or you develop new symptoms between checkups.
Frequency of review: Check with surgery
Current status: Available

The quality of care provided to patients with dementia can be improved by focusing on the following 6 key areas at this regular review. This applies both to patients in the community and nursing home residents. 1. Medication Review, 2. Mental Health, 3. Physical Factors, 4. Risk Assessment, 5. Assessment of Carers Needs, 6. Social Supports Review
Frequency of review: Check with surgery
Current status: Available

Type 2 diabetes check-ups help to make sure your condition doesn’t lead to other health problems.

Every 3 months
Blood sugar checks (HbA1C test) : Checks your average blood sugar levels and how close they are to normal. You have these checks every 3 months when newly diagnosed, then every 12 months once you’re stable. This can be done by your GP or diabetes nurse.

Once a year
Feet: Checks if you’ve lost any feeling in your feet, and for ulcers and infections.
This can be done by your GP, diabetes nurse or podiatrist. Speak to your GP immediately if you have cuts, bruises or numbness in your feet.

Eyes: Checks for damage to blood vessels in your eyes. Speak to your GP immediately if you have blurred vision.

Blood pressure, cholesterol and kidneys: Checks for high blood pressure, heart and kidney disease.
This can be done by your GP or diabetes nurse.
Frequency of review: Check with surgery
Current status: Available

An electrocardiogram (ECG) is a simple test that can be used to check your heart’s rhythm and electrical activity.

Sensors attached to the skin are used to detect the electrical signals produced by your heart each time it beats.

These signals are recorded by a machine and are looked at by a doctor to see if they’re unusual.An ECG may be requested by a heart specialist (cardiologist) or any doctor who thinks you might have a problem with your heart, including your GP.

The test can be carried out by a specially trained healthcare professional at a hospital, a clinic or at your GP surgery.
Frequency of review: Check with surgery
Current status: Available

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a general term for conditions affecting the heart or blood vessels.
It’s usually associated with a build-up of fatty deposits inside the arteries (atherosclerosis) and an increased risk of blood clots. The exact cause of CVD isn’t clear, but there are lots of things that can increase your risk of getting it. These are called “risk factors”. The more risk factors you have, the greater your chances of developing CVD. The main risk factors for CVD are outlined below.
High blood pressure
Smoking
High cholesterol
Diabetes
Inactivity
Being overweight or obese
Family history of CVD
Ethnic background
If you’re over 40, you’ll be invited by your GP for an NHS Health Check every 5 years. Part of this check involves assessing your individual CVD risk and advising you how to reduce it if necessary.
Frequency of review: Check with surgery
Current status: Available

You’ll have regular contact with your GP or care team to monitor your condition at least every 6 months.

These appointments may involve:
talking about your symptoms, such as whether they’re affecting your normal activities or are getting worse
a discussion about your medication, including any side effects
tests to monitor your health

It’s also a good opportunity to ask any questions you have or raise any other issues you’d like to discuss with your care team.

You may be asked to help monitor your condition between appointments.
Frequency of review: Check with surgery
Current status: Available

Persistently high blood pressure (BP) causes strain on the arteries carrying blood around the body, which may eventually lead to Heart Attacks and Strokes. Please look at the British Hypertension society website for further information.

If you have been diagnosed with hypertension you will usually be advised to start medication if your cardiovascular risk is elevated.

For those with hypertension it is important to monitor your blood pressure regularly. Many patient are measuring their own at home with a purchased device. We recommend that if you do so, you only purchase one that is approved as accurate by the British Hypertension society. Please note that they may need replacing every 3-4years as they will usually lose their accuracy after that.
Take your BP measurements after relaxing for 10 minutes and note down the best of three readings.
We need to see you at the practice annually for a brief review, but we need reassurance that your BP is controlled at other times. Your doctor will be interested to receive readings from you, at 3 monthly intervals unless your GP recommends otherwise.

Guidance on measuring blood pressure using a digital monitor.
Frequency of review: Check with surgery
Current status: Available

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a long-term condition where the kidneys don’t work as well as they should.
It’s a common condition often associated with getting older. It can affect anyone, but it’s more common in people who are black or of south Asian origin.

CKD can get worse over time and eventually the kidneys may stop working altogether, but this is uncommon. Many people with CKD are able to live long lives with the condition. You’ll have regular contact with your care team to monitor your condition.

These appointments may involve:
talking about your symptoms – such as whether they’re affecting your normal activities or are getting worse

a discussion about your medicine – including whether you are experiencing any side effects
tests to monitor your kidney function and general health
It’s also a good opportunity to ask any questions you have or raise any other issues you’d like to discuss with your care team.

You may also want to help monitor your condition at home – for example, by using a home blood pressure monitor.

Contact your GP or healthcare team if your symptoms are getting worse or you develop new symptoms.
Frequency of review: Check with surgery
Current status: Available

Getting your medication reviewed is not only important for you, but also allows the NHS to maintain a good level of service across the board. By regularly reviewing your medication, you can help the NHS save a considerable amount in terms of wasted medication. Medicine reviews can be performed by both pharmacists and GPs. Pharmacists can perform a Medicines Use Review (MUR) during which they can check how you are getting on with your medication. If your pharmacist feels that there are any changes that need to be made, you can then go on to book an appointment with your GP to have your prescription amended accordingly.
Frequency of review: Check with surgery
Current status: Available

Blood tests have a wide range of uses and are one of the most common types of medical test.
For example, a blood test can be used to:
assess your general state of health
check if you have an infection
see how well certain organs, such as the liver and kidneys, are working
screen for certain genetic conditions
Most blood tests only take a few minutes to complete and are carried out at your GP surgery or local hospital by a doctor, nurse or phlebotomist (a specialist in taking blood samples).
Frequency of review: Check with surgery
Current status: Available

Rheumatoid arthritis is a long-term condition that causes pain, swelling and stiffness in the joints. The condition usually affects the hands, feet and wrists.

There may be periods where symptoms become worse, known as flare-ups or flares.
A flare can be difficult to predict, but with treatment it’s possible to decrease the number of flares and minimise or prevent long-term damage to the joints.

Some people with rheumatoid arthritis also experience problems in other parts of the body, or more general symptoms such as tiredness and weight loss. See a GP if you think you have symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, so they can try to identify the underlying cause.
Diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis quickly is important, because early treatment can prevent it getting worse and reduce the risk of joint damage.
Frequency of review: Check with surgery
Current status: Available

Many people don’t realise that their GP can help them quit smoking. Your doctor can do a lot, such as enrolling you in a “stop smoking” clinic, and prescribing nicotine replacement therapy, such as patches and gum, or stop smoking medication such as Champix. Cigarettes are addictive, and self-control alone might not be enough for you to stop entirely.

Give yourself a better chance of success by using nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). This is available on prescription from your GP, from your local stop smoking service or from a pharmacist.
Frequency of review: Check with surgery
Current status: Available

Spirometry is a simple test used to help diagnose and monitor certain lung conditions by measuring how much air you can breathe out in one forced breath.

It’s carried out using a device called a spirometer, which is a small machine attached by a cable to a mouthpiece.

Spirometry may be performed by a nurse or doctor at your GP surgery, or it may be carried out during a short visit to a hospital or clinic
Frequency of review: Check with surgery
Current status: Available

The practice will contact you at an appropriate time to book for the above-listed conditions.

National Data Type 1 Opt- Out

The data held in your GP medical records is shared with other healthcare professionals for the purposes of your individual care. It is also shared with other organisations to support health and care planning and research.

If you do not want your personally identifiable patient data to be shared outside of your GP practice for purposes except your own care, you can register an opt-out with your GP practice. This is known as a Type 1 Opt-out.

Type 1 Opt-outs may be discontinued in the future. If this happens then they may be turned into a National Data Opt-out. Your GP practice will tell you if this is going to happen and if you need to do anything. More information about the National Data Opt-out is here: Your Data Matters

You can use this form to:

· register a Type 1 Opt-out, for yourself or for a dependent (if you are the parent or legal guardian of the patient) (to Opt-out)

· withdraw an existing Type 1 Opt-out, for yourself or a dependent (if you are the parent or legal guardian of the patient) if you have changed your preference (Opt-in)

This decision will not affect individual care and you can change your choice at any time, using this form. This form, once completed, should be sent to your GP practice by email or post.

Please click here for more information.

Register your Type 1 Opt-out preference

NHS App

Have you had a test at the surgery? Get your results simply and quickly on the NHS App .

Do you know you can see the result of tests ordered by the surgery on the NHS App. This includes:

  • Blood tests
  • Urine tests (samples sent to the laboratory show in ‘Test results’; simple urine dipstick test done in the surgery will show in ‘Consultations and events’
  • Some X-rays – these may show in ‘Test results’; if not they should appear in ‘Consultations and events’

You can see your results as soon as we have checked them, along with the doctor’s comments. This will save you time calling us and give you peace of mind. It will also help reduce traffic on our phone lines.

If the doctor has suggested an action, such as a further test, prescription or consultation, we will normally be in touch with you to arrange this by sending a message, calling you or writing. Please allow a few days for this. If you haven’t heard from us within 1 week or if the matter is pressing, send us a message to check.

Search ‘NHS App’ or download it from here: Log in – NHS App Online (service.nhs.uk).