NEWS:

Welcome to Essex Way Surgery

Important information for patients registered to Essex Way Surgery

Update 3rd May 2022

Telephone Consultations & Sending of Photographs

Following reports in the national news regarding face to face appointments, whilst we are still working under government guidelines and have done so since the pandemic begun we are, and have been offering our patients the choice of face to face appointments or telephone consultations for some time now. However, some appointments for our Doctors and Nurses remain a telephone consultation for the moment. Unfortunately telephone calls will not be at an exact time, we must advise it will be specified as a morning or afternoon call. 

We would like to re-iterate, our GP’s have been working in the Surgery or remotely with no reduction in appointments since the pandemic began.

Sending in of photographs for some ailments has also been very successful. Photographs can still be sent in (please do not send more than necessary) and then a telephone consultation will follow or face to face appointment as advised by the Doctor.

These can be sent via essexway.surgery@nhs.net

Care Navigation

During recent months, our Reception team have been asking why you need to see our clinicians, even for pre-booked appointments. This is to ensure we use the best clinician for your needs. As well as our own Doctors and Nurses, we now have GP Pharmacist's who can help with medication reviews and minor ailments, a First Contact Physio who can help with back pain, muscle pain etc and also Wellbeing Co-ordinators who can give a range of general support.

COVID19 Vaccines

The vaccine appointments are not dealt with by ourselves, it is carried out by a dedicated team. They will be calling patients by phone and may also send an SMS text message advising of a link to go to to book your vaccine. 

We thank you for your understanding during these extremely busy and difficult times.

Message from Practice Manager

It has come to my attention that some patients complain about their Doctors Surgeries on 'Facebook'. This then causes a stream of complaints about all sort of things.

Please, if you have any complaints about our Surgery, put it in writing to me. I will address all concerns.

If you have any compliments about us, please share on 'Facebook', we are working in unprecedented times and a little compliment goes a long way.

Thank you.

Miranda Rumble

______________________________________________________

We are confident that our website will provide clear and concise help and give our patients the information they require in an easy and convenient format. It has been designed with the patient's needs at the forefront of everything, from checking surgery times to letting us know what you think of us.

Serving You

Our dedicated team are here to treat those minor ailments that occur as well as providing specialist management of long-term conditions and clinics covering a wide range of healthcare issues. The technology also means you can now do a lot of things from the comfort of your home such as order a repeat prescription.

Partners in Care

Once registered, patients and healthcare professionals work together to ensure the most appropriate care is provided. This partnership philosophy extends even further and our active patient group exists to make sure that patient needs and the practice offering are always heading in the same direction.

Please note that we do not yet know whether the rules for NHS will change.

So, until this is confirmed, please continue to:

• Wear your face mask in the surgery
• Keep your distance when in the surgery
• Arrive no longer than five minutes before your appointment time
• Avoid attending for routine care when you have covid
• Tell us if you have covid symptoms or are covid positive when you have an appointment

That way we can keep all patients safe- including those who cannot be vaccinated or whose immune systems are compromised/weak

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-60467183

Thank you

Practice Management Team

COVID VACCINATION CERTIFICATE

Please note we are unable to issue the COVID vaccination certificate at the practice.

Please see https://www.gov.uk/guidance/demonstrating-your-covid-19-vaccination-status-when-travelling-abroad for further information. 

Proof of your vaccination status will be available on the NHS app, which is also valuable for accessing your health records and ordering repeat prescriptions.

The NHS app can be downloaded from  https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/nhs-app/id1388411277 

for iPhone or https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.nhs.online.nhsonline for android. 

Alternatively you can call the NHS helpline on 119 (from 17 May) and ask for a letter to be posted to you. This must be at least 5 days after you’ve completed your course of the vaccine, the letter may to take up to 5 days to reach you

COVID-19 VACCINATION AND BLOOD CLOTTING 

INFOMATION ABOUT YOUR VACCINE

Primary Care Networks

Primary care networks (PCNs) are the new way for local health services to work together to treat populations.

A primary care network consists of groups of general practices working together with a range of local providers, including across primary care, community services, social care and the voluntary sector, to offer more personalised, coordinated health and social care to their local populations

Primary Care Networks (PCNs) are a key part of the NHS Long Term Plan

Essex Way Surgery is part of the Benfleet PCN which consists of the following surgeries:

• Dr Khan and Partners (Rushbottom Lane)
• Dr P A Patel
• The Hollies Surgery
• Essex Way Surgery
• St George's Medical Practice (Rushbottom Lane)
• High Road Family Doctors
• Benfleet Surgery

Benfleet PCN are currently working together in delivering the COVID-19 Vaccination programme  at the Benfleet Clinic,  513 High Rd, South Benfleet, Benfleet SS7 5AD

This December, NHS England and NHS Improvement has launched the next phase of the latest ‘Help Us, Help You’ campaign which focuses on the NHS 111 service as a new way to access A&E.

If you have an urgent but non life-threatening medical need, make sure you use NHS 111 first rather than going straight to A&E. If you do need urgent care, then NHS 111 can now book you in to be seen quickly and safely in A&E. NHS 111 is also able to direct patients to or book an appointment at Urgent Treatment Centres, GP surgeries, pharmacies, emergency dental services and walk-in clinics.

Contacting NHS 111 first will also help the NHS to keep you safe by maintaining social distancing and ensure that you receive the right care in the right place, in a more timely and safe way. However, you should still dial 999 if you have a life-threatening illness or injury.

Just think 111 first. When you think you need A&E, contact NHS 111 by phone or online

• When you think you need A&E, just contact NHS 111 first. The NHS will help you right away and if you need urgent care, the NHS can book you in to be seen quickly and safely
• Contacting NHS 111 first will help NHS urgent and emergency care services maintain social distancing and ensure that patients receive the right care in the right place, in a timely and safe way
• You can use NHS 111 either by visiting the website 111.nhs.uk or by calling 111
• People with life-threatening illnesses or injuries should continue to dial 999 and anyone who arrives at A&E without calling NHS 111 will still receive medical care, with those needing emergency treatment prioritised
• NHS 111 makes it easier and safer for patients to get the right advice or treatment
• NHS 111 can make sure you access the most appropriate service for your health concern. If needed, NHS 111 can book you in to be seen at your local A&E or direct patients to Urgent Treatment Centre, minor injuries unit, emergency dental services, pharmacy or another more appropriate local service
• The NHS 111 phone service can also send an ambulance should a patient’s condition be serious or life- threatening
• Clinicians, such as nurses, doctors, pharmacists and paramedics, now play an increasingly important role in NHS 111. For example, clinicians within the service can assess patients and provide the advice they need over the phone without having to visit a physical service https://youtu.be/AIAu4WM3aVs

                 CANCER AND COVID-19                                           

cancer is one of the biggest killers in the UK. One in two people born in the UK after 1960 will be diagnosed with some form of cancer during their lifetime. Anyone can develop cancer, but it becomes more common as we get older.

Your risk of developing cancer depends on many factors, including age, genetics and lifestyle, but in some cases the exact cause is difficult to determine. However, it is well known that two in five cancer cases in the UK each year are preventable and are linked to lifestyle factors.

Spotting cancer early will improve your survival rate, so it’s important that you recognise the signs and act. One of the best things that you can do is remember to go along for screening when you are recalled by your GP practice – it is one of the most effective ways to identify any early signs of cancer. 

Learn more about the types of screening that are offered via the NHS.

Cancer awareness resources can be found in the Long Term Conditions page.

MY CARE RECORD IS A LEGAL FRAMEWORK THAT WILL SUPPORT YOU TO SHARE INFORMATION WITH OTHER LOCAL HEALTH AND CARE SERVICES. THIS CAN BE FOUND UNDER DATA PROTECTION IN POLICIES

Essex Way Surgery

Essex Way Surgery is conveniently situated in South Benfleet on a major bus route and close to Benfleet rail station.

Our practice location is shown on the Contact Details page.

We have no car parking on the premises but have the station and short stay car parks close by. Please note that short stay car  parking is now available in the School Lane car park. Parking is permitted in nearby streets excluding the hours between 2 and 3 pm.

The surgery provides disabled access with a ramp and assisted opening doors. We also have toilet facilities suitable for people with physical impairment. There is a portable induction loop for those with hearing impairment.

Patient Notice

The Practice holds medical records confidentially and primarily for the provision of direct patient care.  For more information please select No:11 on the right hand side (Care Data).

Please note you are now able to book routine appointments with a GP or Nurse on Saturday and Sunday. Please look under the opening hours section for more details.

WE DO NOT DISCRIMATE

All patients registered with Essex Way Surgery have been allocated a named GP

Practice Privacy Notice

Dementia Awareness

Download our leaflet on Dementia Community Support.