HELP US TO HELP YOU

If you have arranged a telephone consultation with the GP or Nurse it would be beneficial to both parties if you could - 

- Make sure that you are near your phone at the time arranged for your appointment

- Be in a place where you receive a clear signal

The medical staff are wasting valuable time if they have to ring more than once.

FACE MASKS

The rule for the wearing of face masks has not been relaxed in Health Service buildings. Please can you wear a face mask if you have to visit the surgery for a face to face appointment with the GP or Nurse.

If you have a valid medical reason for not wearing a mask a face shield should be worn.

The Surgery will not supply masks to Patients, and you may be refused entry.

Thank you for your co-operation.

Prescription Collection times - 

Prescriptions can be collected between 9am and 5.30pm. Please DO NOT  come to collect your prescriptions early  - they will be  ready after 3.30pm on the day that you are told when ordering.

Returning Medication

Unfortunately during the COVID pandemic we are unable to accept any medication back into the surgery.  We would like to ask us advice on how to dispose of your medication safely. Many Thanks for your co-operation during these strange, difficult times. 

Coronavirus Booster / Flu Vaccine Update

At the moment we have no further details on the availability of the Flu vaccines or the Coronavirus booster.

You will receive a text message or phone call when you can book your appointment. The eligibility for the vaccine has been determined by the Government - we have no input into this and have to follow their guidance.

Please DO NOT contact the surgery regarding the vaccine, until you get the text message  as you may be blocking the phone line to someone who needs urgent medical attention.  

patient records

Please read the above document with regards to the digitalisation of patient records.

School letters of absence

Please note that it is not a GPs responsibility to issue school letters of absence for your children.  Government guidance is that school attendance is mandatory unless your child is self-isolating, has symptoms of COVID-19 or is close to someone who has COVID-19. For further information please visit:

www.gov.uk/government/news/schools-and-colleges-to-reopen-in-full-in-September

Telephone Appointments

If you have booked a telephone appointment with the GP please can make sure that you stay near to your phone for 20 minutes either side of your appointment time. If the GP has to keep trying to ring you it is using up their valuable time. The GP will endeavour to ring you at the stated time but emergencies do take priority and will be dealt with first.  Thank you for your patience. 

Face Mask Exemption Letters

We are aware that some people might be understandably anxious about the Government's announcements around the use of face masks/coverings in public settings.

GPs are not in a position to provide individual risk assessments or letters for patients who feel that they should be exempt from wearing a face mask/covering. 

The government guidance suggests that there is no requirement for evidence for exemption and that it is sufficient for individuals to self-declare this.

Government advice on the use of face coverings can be found on:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/face-coverings-when-to-wear-one-and-how-to-make-your-own

Cervical Screening Scam Alert

If you have received a text message claiming to be from the call and recall service advising that an overdue screening is due DO NOT call the mobile number or give out any personal details.

“Lockdown will be a difficult and unsafe time for many people. If you are experiencing domestic abuse: physical, emotional, psychological, financial, sexual or stalking, please go to victimsupport.org.uk or call 0300 303 0157 for advice and support

and always call 999 in an emergency”

Privacy Notice - update COVID 19

Haverthwaite Surgery is committed to protecting your personal information. In the fight against this global pandemic we are currently working with all of our partners in Health and Social Care to ensure information is shared with the right people at the right time to ensure you receive the best possible care.

Data Protection rules will not hinder the sharing of personal information during these unprecedented times and we will continue to process information in accordance with national law and GDPR.

The processing of personal information relating to this is necessary for reasons of planning and providing health and social care to both individual data subjects and is in the substantial public interest in the area of public health and specifically to support the control of an epidemic.

CORONAVIRUS:

All telephone calls to the surgery will be triaged by reception staff and telephone appointments will be booked accordingly with a GP.

Prescription Collections:

Daily between 9am and 5.30pm 

After 3.30pm on the stated day of collection.

Extended Surgery Opening Times

The extended opening (6.30pm -7.30pm) on a Tuesday and Thursday are for booked appointments only. Prescriptions cannot be collected at this time due to the dispensary being closed.

Surgery Car Park

When parking in the surgery car park could patients please be careful not to park and block the staff fire exit.  This is clearly marked with a fire exit sign.  This is also the door that is used for the deliveries and is in constant use. Thank you for your co-operation.

Telephone Calls

Please note that as from 1st March 2019 ALL telephone calls at the Surgery will be recorded.

PLT Training Afternoon's

The Surgery will be closed, for staff training, from 1pm on the following days:

Wednesday 21st April

Thursday 20th May

Wednesday 16th June

Thursday 15th July

Wednesday 15th September

Thursday 14th October

Wednesday 17th November

2022

Thursday 13th January

Thursday 10th February

Wednesday 16th March

When we are closed

Out of GP hours please contact 111. you will be answered by a call centre which will direct you to the correct department.

Weekend Appointments

In partnership with your GP, Cumbria Health on Call are offering WEEKEND APPOINTMENTS at Westmorland General Hospital or Furness General Hospital.

You will be seen by a GP who has access to your medical records and who can provide the same service as your usual GP. Healthcare appointments are also available.

Please ask at the surgery if you would like to book a weekend appointment.