Patient letter re changes we have made due to Covid-19 - please click on the link below:

COVID-19 Letter

COVID VACCINE STATUS

This will be available via the NHS App from 17th May.  The app can be downloaded now from the Apple and Google app stores, alternatively a paper version will be available by calling 119.  Your Covid vaccine status will be viewable automatically (AFTER TWO DOSES ONLY) - there is no need to request your full health record and no need to contact the surgery.  You are welcome to request your full health record, but please be aware that it takes around 30 minutes to review one record which takes GPs away from care when they are already extremely busy.

Please click on the "Learn More" link above to complete your online form to submit to the practice.  

When using Online Consult, if you are asked to send photographs of your problem, please email them via confidential.vinehouse@nhs.net.  Thank you.

Appointments

In line with all practices in the locality, we are currently only offering book on day appointments, ie there are no advance booking appointments.

When you call to make an appointment with a GP or nurse we will ask you to tell us why you need medical help. This will help us decide how best we can help you.

If appropriate, we will book you a telephone consultation and the GP will call you back the same day. The GP may 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. 

Please do not contact the practice for medical help linked to coronavirus.  Simply follow the latest Government advice on coronavirus further down this page.

Online services

At present you are unable to book appointments on line but please do use other online services, including:

• Ordering repeat prescriptions – please only order what you need 

• Checking your medical record
  

   

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.  Please do not send photographs of an intimate nature.

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 you own prescription requests and your prescription cannot be sent through EPS to a nominated pharmacy, you will need to contact the practice either online, via the telephone or by completing a request slip and placing it in the secure box in our front lobby. 

Home Deliveries - Please be aware that home deliveries by community pharmacies is not an NHS funded service and you may be charged. 

COVID INFORMATION

AstraZeneca Vaccine Update

With all that is going on in the news regarding the AstraZeneca Vaccine, we would like to give some reassurance to our patients. 

Blood clots can occur naturally and are not uncommon.  As of 10th March there were 30 reports of clots among almost 5 million people given the vaccine across Europe.  This number of 30 in 5 million people is significantly less than the number that might be expected to happen naturally.

The World Health Organization and the UK's Medicine Regulator have said the vaccine is safe to give.  We will continue to administer the vaccination as per current guidelines.

Please click on the link below for answers to the most frequently asked questions:

Q&A for patients

Your COVID recovery - click on link below for helpful information if you are recovering from COVID:

https://www.yourcovidrecovery.nhs.uk/

Please click on the links below for further information:

Adult Covid-19 Vaccination Guide

This leaflet explains about the COVID-19 vaccination, who is eligible and who needs to have the vaccine to protect them from Coronavirus

What to expect after your Covid-19 Vaccination

Information for people who have had their first COVID-19 vaccination

Isolating at Home Patient leaflet

This leaflet contains important information to keep you safe while isolating at home.

Accessing your GP

To support general practice, Primary Care have created an animation video to help explain to patients how you can continue to access GP services, including how to get in contact, the different ways care may be delivered and how face-to-face appointments have changed. Please click on the link below

YouTube video

111 First

The 111 First campaign asks people to call 111 first for non-emergency issues, rather than heading straight to hospital. 111 can assess the situation and book patients in to their local emergency department, urgent treatment centre or refer to the GP.   Please click on the links below for further information:

111 First YouTube video

111 First article

Using the NHS and Other Health Services during Coronavirus

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/social-distancing/using-the-nhs-and-other-health-services/

We have answers to lots of questions and concerns about COVID testing, self-isolation, schools and work.  Please click on the link below:

https://hertsvalleysccg.nhs.uk/your-health-and-services/wuhan-novel-coronavirus-what-you-need-know/coronavirus-QandA

Important information for patients

We are open for booked appointments only.  It is not possible to book appointments or discuss queries through the front door so please call the surgery on 01923 262363 and a receptionist will be happy to help you.  Should you need to provide a urine sample, bottles and forms can be picked up and returned to the basket in our lobby, along with repeat prescription requests.  Please ensure that if you come into the surgery you wear a mask, or scarf.  Thank you.

Information for Cancer Patients with specific advice relating to Covid-19:

• Macmillan

https://www.macmillan.org.uk

• East of England Cancer Alliance Patient Information

https://www.canceralliance.co.uk/patient-information.aspx

• Cancer Research UK

https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer

• Cancer Care Maps

https://www.cancercaremap.org/​

• Healthwatch Hertfordshire

https://www.healthwatchhertfordshire.co.uk/

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

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"