Dear Patients,

We would like to provide you with an update regarding the difficulties we are experiencing with the phone system which was commissioned for the health centre by the Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG).  Whilst we appreciate this is distressing for both patients and staff, we are working with the phone company and the CCG to resolve matters as quickly as possible.

We would like to assure you that our receptionists are working very hard answering on average 300 calls per day given the limitations of the current phone system.

In the meantime, we have made our online services more accessible than ever, so that both clinical and administrative enquiries can be raised through our website using ‘E-Consult’. This is a quick and secure way for you to access your GP or Nurse to receive a response by the end of the next working day. We would recommend using this online platform where possible, allowing our receptionists time to assist those without internet access.

With the increasing number of services provided within the health centre by other providers our reception team are fielding a lot of enquiries from other service users resulting in occasionally longer queues and waiting times. We are working with the health centre management to improve signage in the building to help reduce this.

We must comply with government rules surrounding the self-isolation guidelines for staff with suspected or confirmed COVID symptoms. This means that unexpected absenteeism is unfortunately higher than usual. Staff will continue to work from home where possible. We are incredibly proud of our administrative and reception teams’ willingness to help cover for absent colleagues and keep services running during this unprecedented time.

We will continue to provide further updates as they occur.                                                        Please bear with us during this very difficult time.

We thank you for your patience and understanding!

Due to the coronavirus outbreak, how you contact us will be different at the moment. This is to limit face-to-face contact wherever possible and help stop the spread of coronavirus.

Face-to-face appointments are available to all patients, but you may be asked to discuss your conditions over the phone or online first to assess what would be most appropriate for you

You can also call NHS 111. Please do not come to the surgery unless you have an appointment.

If you are waiting for a check-up, please be assured we will be in touch

Appointments are being delivered face-to-face, online and over the telephone. If you are asked to come into the surgery for a face-to-face appointment, please remember to wear a face covering. Measures are in place to keep you safe from infection during your visit to the surgery.

Clinical Research

The practice is involved in research . This Research is conducted within the NHS and benefits patients worldwide. Research studies take different forms, if there is a study that you may be suitable for you may be contacted by either the practice or the research team offering you the opportunity to participate. This is entirely optional.

It is important to note that none of your personal information or medical data will be shared without your permission.

In addition Knoll medical practice belongs to the Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD). More information on this can be found at https://cprd.com/home . This tool has helped save lives and improve healthcare for over 30 years. It is now even more crucial during the COVID19 pandemic. If however, having read the CPRD information on their website (link above) you do not want your records to be part of this tool, please let the practice know.

If you wish to sign up to be part of the research for Covid19 please visit the below website:

NHS services in London are working hard to make sure all adults and babies still receive their routine vaccinations. When you visit your GP surgery, things may be a little different: social distancing and infection prevention control measures may be in place. This is all to keep you and staff safe. If you are due a vaccination, contact your GP today. nhs.uk/vaccinations.

Click the link below to find out more information.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B1VDqqoGgW0

Training Practice

The Surgery is now an approved practice for the training of doctors. This means we have doctors with us for a fixed amount of time at different stages of their training. Some may only be spending some time in General practice before moving onto other specialities whilst others are finishing their training to become GP’s.   Please click on the attachment below for more information:

Training Practice Information

In order to comply with the restrictions imposed to protect us all from Coronavirus please note the following:

• All Appointments must be pre-booked; this is not a walk –in clinic.
• All Appointments are 5 minutes long which gives time for the necessary cleaning required between patients.
• Due to Social Distancing measures we have to limit the number of people in the building at any time. Please arrive on time for your appointment, anyone arriving too early may have to wait outside the building and anyone arriving late may miss their appointment.
• Please wear suitable clothing so that your arm is easily accessible
• Do not attend for your appointment if you have any symptoms of Coronavirus. This includes Cough, Temperature or loss of smell or you are meant to be self-isolating
• You must wear a face covering when entering the building, unless you have a medical exemption

Please note that people in the 50-64-year old age group will not be vaccinated until November and December, providing there is sufficient vaccine, and no appointments will be offered for this age group until then. This is to ensure that those who are most at risk are vaccinated first.  If you are 50-64 and you are in one of the other groups which is eligible for the flu vaccination, for example you have a health condition which puts you at risk from the flu, you will be invited earlier.

Face coverings when using NHS services
All patients and visitors to NHS services must wear a face covering at all times.  This includes hospitals, community clinics and GP services.  Evidence has confirmed that face coverings can help reduce the risk of transmission if you are suffering from coronavirus, but not showing symptoms.

The government has set out advice for people on how to make their own face coverings easily at home, using scarves or other textile items. These face coverings should cover the mouth and nose, whilst allowing the wearer to breathe comfortably and can be as simple as a scarf or bandanna that ties behind the head to give a snug fit.

Please wash your hands or use hand sanitiser before putting on a face covering and after taking it off. Please avoid touching your face covering whilst wearing it to avoid transmission of the virus.

How to submit an eConsultation via the NHS App

Under the Health Service (Control of Patient Information) Regulations 2002 (COPI).

The relevant COPI notice states that its purpose: “…is to require organisations to process confidential patient information for the purposes set out in Regulation 3(1) of COPI to support the Secretary of State’s response to Covid-19 (Covid-19 Purpose). “Processing” for these purposes is defined in Regulation 3(2) and includes dissemination of confidential patient information to persons and organisations permitted to process confidential patient information under Regulation 3(3) of COPI.”

These changes will be made from Monday 27th April 2020. 

The COPI notice is currently due to expire on 30th September 2020.

If you would like further information please click the the links below!

https://www.nhsx.nhs.uk/covid-19-response/data-and-information-governance/how-data-supporting-covid-19-response/

https://digital.nhs.uk/services/summary-care-records-scr/additional-information-in-scr