MESSAGE TO PATIENTS FROM THE DOCTORS AND STAFF AT BRIDGEND GROUP PRACTICE (BGP)
CHANGES TO THE WAY YOU ACCESS BRIDGEND GROUP PRACTICE: ASHFIELD AND NEWCASTLE SURGERY FROM MONDAY 16th MARCH.
- If you have symptoms of fever or a new onset dry cough, you should stay at home for 7 days.
- If your symptoms are mild to moderate, YOU DO NOT need to phone 111 or the surgery
- Patients with Coronavirus symptoms should telephone 119 for a COVID test
- If your symptoms worsen, then you should call 111.
We are NOT equipped to see patients with COVID in the surgery nor as a housecall, so if you have COVID and your symptoms are significant, you should phone 111 first.
APPOINTMENTS
You can NO longer book an appointment online. We have moved to a telephone triage model of care to protect patients and reduce the impact of Coronavirus.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?
You are no longer able to book an appointment without first speaking to a Doctor or Nurse via the phone.
HOW DO I GET AN APPOINTMENT?
You must ring the surgery on 01656 652774 or 01656 652721 from eight am. You must give an up to date phone contact number, a reason for the call and be able to answer the phone when we ring. A GP or nurse will ring you back and speak to you to decide if you need to come to the surgery to be assessed. We will have to deal with as many problems as possible over the phone or video link, only bringing patients to surgery for an examination when absolutely necessary. All other patients will be seen in Ashfield Surgery. But patients should only attend after being told to do so. If you have symptoms, you should not attend unannounced. We are trying to limit potential exposure to coronavirus for fellow patients and our staff/premises. This is for your safety as well as our staff.
This does not apply to existing appointments for INR / wound care / bloods etc that have been already booked although this may change and you will be notified. If you have a pre-booked appointment with a GP you will have been notified of the change to your appointment and all pre-booked appointments will be at ASHFIELD SURGERY.
ATTENDING THE SURGERY
If you need to come to surgery you will be told whether to attend Ashfield or Newcastle Surgery.
Before coming to the surgery, please make sure that you’ve washed your hands and you should wash your hands upon returning home.
WHAT IF I HAVE BEEN ASKED TO ATTEND NEWCASTLE SURGERY?
If you have been advised to come to Newcastle surgery. On arrival you will be told to call the Practice mobile and wait in your car until we call you back and arrange for you to be seen in our isolation room. You will be asked to put on a paper mask and you will then be assessed by our clinical team who will be wearing a paper mask, plastic apron and gloves. Please do not be frightened by this it is for your protection and theirs.
We stress that we CANNOT see COVID patients as we do not have full COVID Personal Protection Equipment to see coronavirus infected patients, they will be managed via 111.
WHAT IF I HAVE BEEN ASKED TO ATTEND ASHFIELD SURGERY?
All other patients will be seen in Ashfield Surgery. But patients should only attend after being told to do so. If you have symptoms, you should not attend unannounced. We are trying to limit potential exposure to coronavirus for fellow patients and our staff/premises.
This is for your safety as well as our staff.
WHAT IF I HAVE COME FOR A PREBOOKED?
Come to Ashfield Surgery where you will be able to check in in the usual way. Do NOT turn up at Newcastle surgery as this is strictly for patients who have been requested to attend by the triaging team. You will not be allowed or able to enter Newcastle surgery as the doors will be locked.
WHAT IF I DON’T NEED AN APPOINTMENT BUT WOULD LIKE ADVICE?
In the first instance go to https://pybhealth.com/ and use the patient support videos section or the common illness section. These sections have been written by local GPs and give the same advice as you would receive in an appointment. If this does not answer your query or offer advice on how to manage your problem then ring the surgery.
WHAT IF I HAVE COME FOR A PRE-BOOKED?
All pre-booked appointments will be at ASHFIELD SURGERY.
PRESCRIPTIONS
If you need to order a repeat prescription please do NOT come to the surgery either
- Call the Prescription Hub on 01656 311010
- Use MHOL to order
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If you are unable to use either of the above methods or you are unable to wait for 72 hrs – ring the surgery and the reception staff will complete a prescription request form on your behalf you will need to give
the following details:
- medication required
- Quantity
- Contact number.
If you usually use the Hub please continue to do so, please be aware that they may be busier than normal.
HOW DO I COLLECT MY PRESCRIPTION?
If your prescription normally goes to a local pharmacy it still will, so you will need to go there.
WHAT IF I NORMALLY COME IN TO PICK IT UP?
Please do NOT come to the surgery. When you put your request in please indicate which pharmacy you wish to pick it up from and we will ensure it gets to the pharmacy. This will minimise face to face contacts.
We know this sounds a bit daunting, even scary but please be reassured that this is for everyone’s benefit. If you are unwell or need advice you will still be able to access this. We are not closed. It may take longer to access us but please be patient we have reduced all non-patient facing work to deal with your problem or illness. You will not need to worry if you don’t ring at 8 am. All patients who ring will be dealt with the same day.
Surgery Hours
Both surgeries are open Monday to Friday from 8.00am. Ashfield surgery closes at 6:30pm whereas Newcastle surgery closes at 5:30pm. The surgery is open every weekday except Bank Holidays. The surgeries are also closed on the last Tuesday of every month for in-house staff training. There will be emergency cover from 1.00pm on these days.
| Ashfield | Newcastle | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mon | 08:00 | – | 18:30 | 08:00 | – | 17:30 |
| Tue | 08:00 | – | 18:30 | 08:00 | – | 17:30 |
| Wed | 08:00 | – | 18:30 | 08:00 | – | 17:30 |
| Thu | 08:00 | – | 18:30 | 08:00 | – | 17:30 |
| Fri | 08:00 | – | 18:30 | 08:00 | – | 17:30 |
| Sat | Surgery Closed | |||||
| Sun | Surgery Closed | |||||
Out Of Hours
Consultations are available on weekdays between 8.00am – 11.55am and 2.00pm – 5.30pm.
The surgeries are open Monday to Friday from 8.00am – 6.30pm every day except Bank Holidays. Outside normal surgery hours there is a recorded message on the telephone – this message gives details of the out-of-hours cover. There is a telephone number for NHS Direct (111) if you just require advice, but if you wish to speak to a doctor in the out-of-hours service, you will need to dial 0330 123 9180.
Emergencies
In case of medical emergencies after morning surgery, please contact reception. The receptionist or nurse will take brief details about the complaint in order for the duty doctor to assess the urgency.
HEALTH VISITOR
To speak to a specially trained nurse who works closely with newborn babies, children under five and the elderly call 01656673913. If you cannot get through please leave an answerphone message.
PATIENT INFORMATION
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To make (or cancel) an appointment please telephone from 8.00am every weekday morning. Alternatively, you can do both directly online via the My Health Online system. If you would like to opt for this service you will need to register in person at the reception desk. Once a few simple formalities have been completed you may use the online service thereafter.
Appointments are available with every doctor every day (except during holiday periods). Please make the receptionist aware which doctor you wish to see. If that doctor has no free appointments, you will be offered an appointment with one of the other doctors.
Our appointment system offers patients an appointment on the day they telephone, or they may book up to 4 days in advance (these appointments are limited).
If you wish, a chaperone can be provided for any consultation. Our receptionists can advise.
It is the patient’s responsibility to cancel any appointment (they can be cancelled online even if they were not booked online) not required. If anyone has any questions about the appointment system or any other queries, please ask to speak to the practice manager.
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You will need your NHS number to register (we MUST have your NHS number) – you can obtain this from your previous surgery. All GP records are now linked and the NHS number is used to identify each person and electronically transfer your record.
You will need to fill out forms for every person at the address who wishes to register.
If anyone is on repeat medication they will need to bring a copy of the repeat slip with them to attach to the registration form and they will require an appointment with the Health Care Assistant in either surgery.
If you are not on any medication, you will not be required to make an appointment.
The process of registering takes 48 hours from the time we receive the paperwork – if you have seen the HCA, it will be 48 hours after your appointment. We will then have access to your records and information and you are able to make appointments and order repeat medications.
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You can do this between 8.00am – 6.30pm, Monday to Friday by calling:
Ashfield Surgery:
Newcastle Surgery:
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Please telephone between 8.30 – 10.30am. These are only for conditions where the illness stops the patient going out. If the patient has a temperature or a rash, coming to the surgery will do no harm; always inform the receptionist if a patient has a rash as they can then be put in isolation.
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We provide the following:
- Cervical Smears
- Childhood Immunisations/Well Baby Clinic
- Asthma
- Cardiovascular
- Diabetic
- Hypertension
- TIA/CVA
NHS Direct
Tel: 0845 4647 or visit online at www.nhsdirect.wales.nhs.uk
NHS Direct is staffed by nurses. It is a confidential helpline and can provide health information and advice 24 hours a day.
Non-NHS Services
Certain services are not covered by the NHS, such as:
- Private sickness certificates
- Medical examinations for pre-employment
- HGV licence
- Elderly drivers
- Private medical forms
- Passport counter signature
- Travel and sporting activities requiring medical reports.
Please ask at reception for details on appointments. Fees for these and other services can be found here
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Every patient who makes an appointment should be aware that it is their responsibility to turn up for that appointment or to telephone the surgery to cancel if they are unable to attend. This appointment can then be offered to another patient. A wasted appointment is both inconvenient and annoying to the GP, and could be important to another person.
Please also read posters displayed in reception: ‘Patient Responsibilities’ and ‘Your Charter for Health’.
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It is extremely important that you notify us of any change of details so that we can keep your medical records up to date. We require any change of details to be notified in writing – ask at reception and they can give you a form to complete.
Those patients who have signed up to use the online system and who wish to change their details should CLICK HERE.