Important information for patients

At the moment it is not possible to discuss queries through the front door so please call the surgery on 01923 262363 and a receptionist will be happy to help you. 

We have made changes to how we look after patients because of the coronavirus outbreak. This is so that we can keep our patients and staff safe and healthy and make best use of our resources.  The changes are in keeping with the government’s approach to protecting people against coronavirus by reducing contact to essential services.

The main change is that we are reducing the need for patients to come into the practice by moving to telephone and video consultations where we can. We are also making sure that you can get prescriptions without coming in.

Please read the safety advice below:

Vehicle fires - Alcohol Hand Sanitiser

Free Webinar - Get Your Bounce Back!

A local GP and colleagues in St Albans have put together a supportive webinar to help patients during the COVID pandemic and now that we are emerging from lockdown.  It is to do with simple general lifestyle changes and adding in practices that help to improve wellbeing and mental health.  It will be a live event on 6th July at 8.00 pm and if you would like to join the webinar email lifestylemedicine.herts@nhs.net .  Click on the following link for more information: Get Your Bounce Back!

Cervical Screening Update

During Covid-19 routine cervical screening was put on hold, however it is now up and running again.  Many women may be concerned about delays to their screening and you may find the links below helpful.  They offer advice and reassurance including FAQs and videos from the Jo's Trust website.  Please be reassured that the risk from delaying screening by a few months is very small but we do recommend that all those on recall do now attend. 

https://www.jostrust.org.uk/coronavirus/videos

https://www.jostrust.org.uk/information/coronavirus/faqs

https://www.jostrust.org.uk/coronavirus

Latest government advice on coronavirus

If you or anyone in your household has a high temperature or a new and continuous cough or a loss of, or change in, normal sense of smell or taste, even if those symptoms are mild, you should all stay at home. Don’t go to your GP or hospital; instead go to nhs.uk to check your symptoms and follow the specialist medical advice.

For medical help linked to coronavirus you can also contact the NHS 111 online coronavirus service.

Only call 111 if you cannot get online.

If you need medical help for any reason, do not visit the GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital.  For advice if a child is unwell or injured click on the following link:

Covid-19 Advice for parents when child is unwell or injured

If you need help or advice not related to coronavirus:

• for health information and advice, use the NHS website or our surgery website

• for urgent medical help, use the NHS 111 online service – only call 111 if you're unable to get help online

• for life-threatening emergencies, call 999 for an ambulance

Appointments

When you call to make an appointment with a GP or nurse we will first of all ask you to tell us why you need medical help. This will help us decide how best to help you. Please do not contact the practice for medical help linked to coronavirus. Follow the advice above.

We will book you a telephone consultation and the GP will telephone you later that day. The GP may then offer you a video consultation or, if they need to see you face to face, they will arrange this with you. DO NOT COME TO THE SURGERY UNLESS THE GP ASKS YOU TO.

Online services

In light of this new approach, appointments can’t be booked online any longer. But please do use other online services, including:

• Ordering repeat prescriptions – please only order what you need

• Checking your medical records

Repeat prescriptions

We aim to send all prescriptions, including repeat prescriptions, through the electronic prescription service (EPS) to your nominated pharmacy. If you do not have a nominated pharmacy you can choose one online or ask your usual pharmacy to set this up for you.

If you currently manage your own prescription requests and your prescription can’t be sent through EPS to a nominated pharmacy you will need to contact the GP practice either online or in person.  Repeat request slips can be completed and posted in the box in the lobby area.

Home deliveries

Please be aware that home deliveries by community pharmacy is not an NHS funded service. Some pharmacies do offer a delivery service which you may be charged for.

Updated 19/05/2020

AccuRx video consultations

The Practice is using AccuRx to carry out video consultations.  The consultation is not stored or recorded within the AccuRx system, the clinical staff member is required to record observations and outcomes of the consultation directly into patient records in the same way as a face to face consultation.  (as of 12/03/20)

Photographs - please note, if the GP requests that you send in photographs relating to your condition, these will be saved securely on your medical record.

Results of National GP Patient Survey 2019 - click here - Survey Results

NHS England updated information for patients around continuity of medicines supply in the event of a no-deal EU exit. (on nhs.uk) Medicines Supply

Opening Times

*open for booked appointments only between 07.00-08.00. The surgery will fully open at 08.00.

Early opening - one week per month we open at 07.30. The surgery will fully open at 08.00.

We are leading Watford Extended Access opening on Saturdays and Sundays with pre-booked appointments most weekends:

Saturdays between 08.00 and 19.00, Sundays between 09:00 and 13:00 and some weekday evenings up to 10.00 pm. These appointments can only be booked by a receptionist as they use a different booking system. 

If you cannot attend your appointment at short notice on the day when the surgery telephone lines are closed, please call 07478 306994.

Please ask at reception for further details.

My care Record - privacy notice and opt out form - please see "news"