Welcome to Hamdon Medical Centre
We are now proud to be part of Symphony Healthcare Services Ltd, a larger NHS organisation.
PATIENT NOTICE
IMPORTANT UPDATE- Please take the time to read this information
2nd April 2020
Changes to GP services
GP services have been given a mandate from the NHS to re-organise their services to ensure that patients continue to receive a service.
GP services are being reorganised so that patients who may have COVID-19 are kept separate from patients who don’t. For example, practices are continuing to provide childhood immunisations and it is important this takes place in an environment as free from contamination as possible.
As a result of these changes, patients who need a face to face appointment may need to attend a surgery location which is different from their usual registered practice. We recognise this may cause some inconvenience to patients and we are grateful for your patience as the NHS grapples with the challenge of COVID-19.
Changes to examination practice
From now on, if you need a chest or heart examination, this will be carried out from behind you rather than in front of you. This is based on current clinical guidance to protect you and our clinicians.
The latest guidance advises that throats should not be examined and they should be treated on symptoms only. Please note that our GPs and nurses will no longer be examining anyone’s throat.
Rescue packs
We have been made aware of some inaccurate information circulating regarding special ‘rescue packs’ for patients with pre-existing respiratory conditions such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Please do not contact your GP practice for a rescue pack unless this is something you usually have and require one. You should continue to manage your condition in the usual way and if you feel you have symptoms of COVID-19, click Here before doing anything else.
Please Read the following information for more details on how these changes may affect you;
GPs and primary care staff in South Somerset West Primary Care Network are working hard to keep people as safe as possible in these exceptional circumstances. South Somerset West Primary Care Network is made up of Buttercross & Ilchester, Crewkerne Health Centre, Hamdon Medical Centre & South Petherton & Martock Medical Centre.
To help us achieve this, we are making changes to how our practices operate, working more closely together to make sure we can care for those who are most in need of our services and keep everyone as safe as possible. These changes will take effect from Monday 06 April 2020.
Please take the time to read this carefully so you understand how these changes might affect you.
If you have symptoms of coronavirus (a high temperature or a new continuous cough), please use the 111 Corovirus service
If you need help or advice not related to coronavirus, please use the NHS website or your GP surgery website for health information and advice.
Please use the NHS App, or e-consultations like ‘Ask my GP’ and remote access wherever possible.
To protect you, our staff and other patients you must not attend your GP surgery without prior agreement. If you need urgent medical attention, please contact your GP surgery by telephone or online. You will be given a telephone triage appointment to make sure that you are cared for by the right person, in the right place for your illness.
If you are contacting us by mobile phone, please make sure that your phone is well charged and that you are in a good signal area for reception. This will make sure that we can have a clear and uninterrupted discussion with you.
The majority of people will be assessed and treated over the phone wherever possible.
If any patient is assessed as needing to be seen face to face, this will be arranged. However, the appointment may not take place at your own GP surgery and may not be with a clinician of your choice. We will be sharing duties and responsibilities across our south Somerset practices in order to make the most of our available resources while keeping you, and our staff, as safe as possible.
If you are offered a face to face appointment, we respectfully request that you attend on your own. For children or adults with a disability, one carer can accompany you. Home visits will continue for those patients who are housebound, however, they will always be preceded by an assessment over the telephone.
**PRESCRIPTIONS**
You can order your routine prescriptions online through your GP surgery website, through the NHS App or through your local pharmacy. You can find information about the NHS App: Here
You can also help us by only requesting your usual supply of medications when required and not try and do it early or order extra, to help the supply chain keep up with demand. We will make sure suitable provision is made for people self isolating owing to illness or being in at risk groups.
Please do not order repeat prescriptions more than 1 week in advance.https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/nhs-services/the-nhs-app/
We thank you for your support and understanding.
Everyone must stay at home to help stop the spread of coronavirus. This includes people of all ages – even if you do not have any symptoms or other health conditions.
Other things you can do to stop the infection spreading:
Wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds
use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available
cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze
put used tissues in the bin immediately and wash your hands afterwards
stay 2 metres (3 steps) away from other people, if you need to go outside
Shielding at home
Some people will receive a letter from the NHS to say they should take extra steps to protect (or 'shield') themselves because of an underlying health condition. This is for people who are at very high risk of severe illness from coronavirus. If you think you or someone you care is likely to fall into this category please wait for a letter.
Although the national guidance says that most people should receive their letters by Sunday 29 March 2020 please note that it is more than likely that it will take a few days longer for letters to arrive at people’s homes. So please wait until Friday 03 April 2020. If you have not received a letter by then or been contacted by your GP, please call us for advice.
CORONOROVIRUS - ADVICE
Please click on the below link for further support and advice
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/wuhan-novel-coronavirus-information-for-the-public
Please also see our Facebook and Twitter page for up to date information
Coronavirus - Further Information
In order to reduce the risk of bugs passing between patients as the current situation with the covid19 coronavirus becomes clear, the surgery are working to manage cases which do not need to come into the surgery by phone or online when this is clinically safe.
By reducing the number of unnecessary attendances at the surgery we aim to reduce the risk to those who are most vulnerable or need to attend the surgery.
Simple hand cleaning measures with soap and water and covering your mouth and nose when sneezing are the most important tools in preventing the spread.
As a result patient preference will be overruled by clinical need when deciding on how requests will be dealt with
Are you concerned?
Contact NHS 111 via
NHS 111
Access to GP Primary Care in Somerset
Tell us what works and doesn't work
WHAT DOES THE NHS APP DO?
The Premises
There has been a surgery in Stoke sub Hamdon since 1865. The Hamdon Medical Centre was built in 1990 and was purpose-designed for the comfort and safety of all patients, particularly those with mobility difficulties.
Opening Hours
Find out when our practice is open, what the GP consulting times are and what to do if you need help when the practice is closed. Find out more
Repeat Prescriptions
Do you need to re-order your medication? Visit our prescriptions page for more information. Find out more
Contacting Patients
Hamdon Medical Centre has recently installed new software to enable contact with patients by text messaging. You may receive confirmation of an appointment, a reminder that an appointment is due, questionnaires regarding specific health related matters and invitations to come for a review regarding a medical condition such as Asthma or Hypertension. You may also receive texts asking you to contact the surgery from time to time.
Like To Register?
New to the area and would like to join our practice? We would be happy to help you. Fill in our registration forms and come see us. Find out more Once you have completed the forms you will allocated and informed of who your named GP will be.
Named GP
All patients have a named GP, either Dr Kathryn Blaydes or Dr Stuart Cairns. If you would like to know who your named GP is please ask when you are next visiting or telephoning the practice.
Change Of Address
If you change your address or telephone number, please inform the practice at the earliest opportunity.
Improved Access
This is a new initiative across Somerset whereby patients can make appointments at extended times (up until 8pm at night Monday-Friday and on Saturday mornings) at other practices across the local area. Practices working together to deliver extended access to appointments are listed on the poster below.
Appointment types will vary, some being face to face and some on the 'phone and there will be a mixture of pre-bookable and same day appointments available across the week. They may be with a doctor but could also be with another healthcare professional such as a primary care practitioner or a nurse. We are keen to balance the importance of continuity of care with convenient access for patients whilst ensuring that the service is safe.
To book an evening or weekend appointment please contact your registered practice during normal opening times, this will help us to signpost you to the most appropriate option for your particular problem. By contacting us we can fully explain the process, ensure that the booking is appropriate (as we hope to be able to meet your needs by offering an appointment with your usual GP) and cover all the relevant information (and consent) that we need to before we book an appointment for you. Click on link for further information
Further information
(Site updated 08/04/2020)