Update for the 19th July: In line with current Government guidance patients are still required to wear a face mask, unless they have an exemption, in healthcare settings. We are continuing sensible measures to minimise the risk of infection to protect patients and especially those who are most vulnerable, and staff, so that they are safe and able to continue to provide a service.

If you need  URGENT non-COVID-19 primary care health services call the usual practice number (For any initial COVID-19 concerns refer to; Get the latest NHS information and advice about coronavirus (COVID-19).   

1. For NON URGENT non-COVID-19 primary care health services consider using econsult to access GP advice and administrative services  https://beechhousesurgery.webgp.com/
2. If you ring the Practice we will ask you some questions to make sure we can connect you with the best person for your needs, and you will receive a call back from a GP or nurse to discuss your healthcare.
3. We will continue to triage most cases before inviting patients in for treatment.
4. If you do attend for a face to face consultation staff may be wearing personal protective equipment including face masks, aprons and gloves. This is for everyone’s protection and to help prevent the spread of coronavirus.
5. Any patients coming to the surgery should wear appropriate face covering/face masks.
6. We have limited capacity in the Waiting Room due to social distancing, therefore patients will be asked to wait in their vehicles until the clinician is ready to greet them and take them to the consulting room if we nhave a full Waiting Room.
7. We will ask that you observe the two metre rule from anyone in the practice as advised by government and exit from the premises will sometimes be via the back door.
8. We are following expert clinical guidance and re-introducing clinical services as and when directed it is safe to do so. This means that we are unable to offer some procedures at this time. Our clinical staff will provide alternative suggestions and advice where patients have concerns. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and hope that patients appreciate the need for a cautious and consistent application of clinical guidelines provided.

Due to social distancing measures we do not have as many staff working at the Practice. This, coupled with the additional time associated with the use of PPE and increased room cleaning means that we need to encourage the use of technology wherever possible. We have successfully introduced AccuRX for video consultations and are conducting most of our consultations by telephone. 

To help us to assist you please consider;

1) Referring to NHS Choices and Treatments in the first instance for initial healthcare information (https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/)

2) Registering for the NHS app -   https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/nhs-services/the-nhs-app/

3) Contacting the surgery for administrative requests and advice from a doctor by using econsult rather than telephoning the surgery (https://beechhousesurgery.webgp.com/.) 

4) Use On Line Services for Medication requests - (see below https://systmonline.tpp-uk.com/2/Login?Date=20200714090803). 

Thank you for working with us and for your support and understanding.

beechhouse.dispensary@nhs.net : For Prescription queries

beechhousesurgery@nhs.net : For Reception queries

COVID BOOSTERS AND FLU VACCINATIONS - Update 16.9.21

We had hoped to be in a position to provide Covid Boosters at our upcoming flu clinics, however, the NHS is still developing the delivery programme and identifying sites.

We will therefore continue to roll our flu programme, and provide updated information on Covid boosters once it is available.

Please do not contact the surgery regarding Covid Boosters. We will update our website when we know anything further. 

Covid Vaccination 3rd Dose for Immunosuppressed Cohort

The government has identified a group of patients who should receive a third dose of vaccine as part of their initial vaccination programme. These are patients with severe immunosuppression around the time of their first or second COVID-19 vaccine doses. These patients are currently being identified by their GPs and hospital consultants and will be contacted shortly to come forward.

 More information on the specific medical condition associated with immunosuppression can be found at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/third-primary-covid-19-vaccine-dose-for-people-who-are-immunosuppressed-jcvi-advice/joint-committee-on-vaccination-and-immunisation-jcvi-advice-on-third-primary-dose-vaccination

Covid Vaccination Booster Programme

The government has announced that some people will be eligible for a booster dose of the Covid-19 vaccine. The booster programme will follow the same priority groups for rollout and in the same order as the one advised by the Joint Committee for Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) for the initial Covid vaccination programme and will take place at least six months after the second dose for eligible patients:

Those eligible for a booster dose will be cohorts 1 – 9 from the initial vaccination programme:

1. Residents in a care home for older adults and their paid carers
2. All those aged 80 and over and front line health and social care workers
3. All those aged over 75 and over
4. All those aged 70 and over and clinically extremely vulnerable individuals
5. All those aged 65 and over
6. All those aged 16 – 64 with underlying health conditions which put them at serious risk of serious disease and mortality from Covid-19 and unpaid carers
7. All those aged 60 years and over
8. All those aged 55 and over
9. All those aged 50 and over

The NHS is currently developing the booster programme and identifying sites for the vaccinations to take place. There are likely to be a mixture of sites as with the initial programme including GP led, community pharmacy led and large vaccination sites. You will be contacted when it is your turn to come forward and there is no need to contact your GP practice.

VACCINATION STATUS CERTIFICATION

From 17th May people in England who have had both vaccine doses will be able to demonstrate their status via the NHS App. Those without access to the app can request a letter from the NHS proving their vaccination status by calling 119. The Practice will refer queries from patients to the referred to sources above.

Extended hours surgeries are intended to accommodate those people who cannot easily attend the surgery during the week. We respectfully ask patients who are able to attend during normal surgery hours to reserve these extended hour surgeries for those who are unable to do so.  

Monday 6:30pm to 7:30pm - Weekly telephone appointments with GP's. (NB: The phones are not on during extended hours surgeries) 

Saturdays: First Saturday morning of each month. (NB: The phones are not on during extended hours surgeries).

The surgery is closed on normal Bank Holidays and approximately six afternoons per year for staff training.  When the Surgery is closed  call NHS 111 for non- medical emergencies and 999 for medical emergencies (including chest pains and shortness of breath).