Welcome to Hamdon Medical Centre
We are now proud to be part of Symphony Healthcare Services Ltd, a larger NHS organisation.
Please use the following link below to find out how we have dealt with queries since AskMyGP has gone live;
3rd Sept 2020 Important update
Letter to Patients: askmyGP
As you may be aware, the practice recently implemented askmyGP to support patients to access the surgery via alternative means such as by online message. Unfortunately, the system has experienced a number of technical difficulties over the last few weeks due to a surge of activity within general practice.
Despite the work of askmyGP, the technical difficulties has persisted and with this in mind, we have made the difficult decision to turn off askmyGP until we are assured that the system is fit for purpose.
We apologise in advance as we know that the downtime of the system has led to extended waits on the responses you have received and will now mean that you will not be able to contact the surgery online. We will continue to work through requests already submitted and therefore ask that you do not call the surgery unless you have a new request or your symptoms/circumstances have changed.
Please call the surgery if the matter is urgent. For emergencies, call 999.
If you are wanting advice regarding a less urgent complaint, please consider using the 111 website which provides a useful symptom-checker and advice regarding many health conditions. Another valuable resource is Patient UK, which provides NHS verified advice and symptom-checker.
Please remember that repeat prescriptions should be submitted to somccg.hamdonprescriptions@nhs.net or via patient access.
At this difficult time, please also ensure that you are using the right service for your needs:
Particularly, when you or your family are unwell, you may not need to make an appointment at the surgery. Your local pharmacy has trained medical professionals who can provide free advice on the best treatment for a wide range of illnesses and minor ailments. Visiting your local pharmacy can save you time and with no appointment needed, you can just walk in. What’s more, many pharmacies are open in the evenings and on the weekends. For more information about the wide range of services that your local pharmacy can offer please click here.
We thank you for your continued support and encourage patients to seek help if they need it.
With best wishes,
Dr K Blaydes | Luena Eeles |
Clinical Lead | Practice Manager |
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.
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.
The majority of people will be assessed and treated over the phone or via online consultation wherever possible.
If any patient is assessed as needing to be seen face to face, this will be arranged.
If you are offered a face to face appointment, we respectfully request that you attend on your own and wear a face mask. 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.
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
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 03/09/2020)