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Opening hours and appointments for the Bank Holiday weekend.
The Practices will be providing Doctors' online consulatations and telephone appointments on Bank Holiday Friday and on Bank Holiday Monday for Patients as usual. The practice will be shut on Saturday and Sunday.
New Online Consultation and Messaging Services.
The Practice has introduced a new online service including online consultations to complement the existing ways that you can get in touch with the surgery. This service is not for emergency situations or when immediate repsonses are required, but does allow you to contact the surgery by secure mesaging and put questions or pass messages to the staff.
A step by step guide for registering for online consultations is available to assist you in registering for the first time.
A step by step guide for using the consultation service is available.
Dispensary
Woolavington and Edington dispensaries' new opening hours are 1000am until 1830 hrs.
MEDICATION ORDERING
1. Please order your medication using the NHS APP, our website at poldenmp.nhs.uk or Patient Access. You can download the NHS app from any smartphone and you can verify your identity without coming to the surgery. If you don’t have a smartphone but you do have internet access you can use patient access. You can also use the online form at the bottom of the prescription page.
2. ONLY IF YOU DO NOT HAVE INTERNET ACCESS OR A SMARTPHONE you can call the repeat line to order your medication. We are prioritising this for the elderly and vulnerable so please only use this line if you really have to. Opening times for the repeat line are 10am - 12am.
3. PLEASE DO NOT order more medication than you need or order earlier than you need to.
MEDICATION COLLECTION
DO NOT COME TO THE SURGERY IF YOU HAVE A COUGH AND/OR A TEMPERATURE
In light of the recent government advice please do not come to surgery at all but ask someone to collect on your behalf if you have a cough and/or temperature.
If you are well and collecting medication from the Surgery, we are asking that you pay by contactless methods wherever possible. A member of Polden Medical Practice team will sign the back of your prescription for you to reduce risk.
Self Isolation notes for employers.
If a patient is self-isolating then they should go the NHS self-isolation note webpage and complete the request online. The Practice is unable to issue self-isolation letters for employers.
Important information about the coronavirus (COVID-19)
The NHS in Somerset and Public Health England (PHE) are well prepared for outbreaks of new infectious diseases. The NHS has put in place measures to protect patients, our community and NHS staff while ensuring as many services as possible are available to the public.
If you have symptoms associated with coronavirus including a new continuous cough and a high temperature, you are advised to stay at home for 7 days. Please do not book a GP appointment or attend your GP practice.
If you live with other people, they should stay at home for at least 14 days, to avoid spreading the infection outside the home. After 14 days, anyone you live with who does not have symptoms can return to their normal routine.
But, if anyone in your home gets symptoms, they should stay at home for 7 days from the day their symptoms start. Even if it means they're at home for longer than 14 days. The most up-to-date public guidance is always online at www.nhs.uk/coronavirus. If your symptoms are serious, or get worse, NHS 111 has an online coronavirus service that can tell you if you need further medical help and advise you what to do. Only call 111 direct if you are advised to do so by the online service or you cannot go online.
Like the common cold, coronavirus infection usually occurs through close contact with a person with novel coronavirus via cough and sneezes or hand contact. A person can also catch the virus by touching contaminated surfaces if they do not wash their hands. Testing of suspected coronavirus cases is carried out in line with strict guidelines.
This means that suspected cases are kept in isolation, away from public areas of GP surgeries, pharmacies and hospitals and returned home also in isolation. Any equipment that come into contact with suspected cases are thoroughly cleaned as appropriate. Specific guidance has also been shared with NHS staff to help safeguard them and others. Patients can be reassured that their safety is a top priority, and are encouraged to attend all appointments as usual.
Everyone is being reminded to follow Public Health England advice to:
• Always carry tissues with you and use them to catch your cough or sneeze. Then bin the tissue, and wash your hands, or use a sanitiser gel.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after using public transport. Use a sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are unwell.
Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital. Please do not ring 111 as they have very high levels of enquiries but go to their online site.
NHS advice on the COVID-19 Coronavirus is available on the NHS website - COVID 19 Coronavirus page.
Bridgwater Bay PCN has also produced this useful PCN Covid 19 Guidance which you should read.
Government advice on the Coronavirus can be read on the Government website - Coronavirus information for the public page
Telephone Menu System
The Practice's telephone number is 01278 722077.
You can re-order your repeat prescriptions using our online prescription webpage or through your online access.
The prescription line for ordering Medication opens between 10am and 12 noon Monday until Friday.
Our news stories include:
111 is the NHS non-emergency number. It's fast, easy and free. Call 111 and speak to a highly trained adviser, supported by healthcare professionals.
How likely are you to recommend this Surgery to friends and family if they needed similar care or treatment? Please spend 2 minutes to take the Friends and Family Test.
The NHS website. Take control of your health and wellbeing. Get medical advice, information about healthcare services and support for a healthy life.
Patient is one of the most trusted medical resources online, supplying evidence based information on a wide range of medical and health topics to patients and health professionals.
