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IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO ATTEND AN APPOINTMENT, PLEASE LET US KNOW. In December 2024 there were 13 GP appointments and 74 treatment room/clinic appointments which were not kept by patients. The missed appointments with our nurses amounted to 13 hours and 30 minutes!

SHINGLES VACCINES: This is not a seasonal vaccination programme, so we will contact eligible patients when we are in a position to offer this vaccine.

When requesting prescriptions, please remember that the surgery is closed weekends and Bank/Public holidays, therefore requests for repeat prescriptions will not be actioned until we re-open. You should allow at least 2 working days for processing of weekend requests, and up to 3 working days for requests made when the surgery is closed for longer than the weekend.

We have a Physiotherapist, Mental Health Practitioner and a Social Worker based in the practice who may be a first point of contact for patients.

The Department of Health has developed a “My Waiting Times NI” webpage. This is an information webpage hosted on the HSC website: https://online.hscni.net/my-waiting-times-ni/

Patients in Northern Ireland can access the current average waiting times for outpatient assessments for elective care services within each Trust. The webpage will be updated every month to ensure that users have access to timely, standardised waiting time information. FAQs have also been developed and linked on the webpage to improve the users’ experience and understanding of the information provided. 

We have recently implemented some changes in the way the practice operates.  Between 9am and 2pm daily (with the exception of Wednesday which will be 9am - 11.30am),we will deal with requests for routine appointments and patient enquiries. After this time we will only be accepting emergency calls, calls from other Healthcare Professionals, and providing test results.

Did you know if you are registered for online services,  you can request repeat prescriptions AND book GP appointments through our website?  Contact reception for further details.

We have introduced a text messaging service to contact patients, message will state "from your GP surgery".  If you do NOT want us to contact you by this method, please contact reception.

For everyday health conditions such as: Acne, Athlete's Foot, Diarrhoea, Haemorrhoids, Headlice, Groin Infection, Threadworms, Vaginal Thrush, Earwax, Mouth Ulcers, Oral Thrush, Scabies and Verrucae you can obtain advice and FREE treatment from your local pharmacy under the "Pharmacy First" scheme.  You do not need to contact the surgery.

 

For young people aged 11-19 a new Text-a-Nurse service has been launched. This is a secure, confidential and anonymous service which 11-19 years olds can contact for advice on: emotional health and wellbeing, stress and anxiety, self-harm, alcohol and drugs, body image, smoking, bullying, sexual health, Covid-19 related worry and general health issues. Service is available Monday - Friday, 9am - 5pm during both term time and school holidays. Contact number for Northern Trust area is: 07480 635 982

 

For information on Corona Virus, visit www.pha.site/coronavirus

Public Health Agency, 12–22 Linenhall Street, Belfast BT2 8BS. www.publichealth.hscni.net

IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO ATTEND AN APPOINTMENT, PLEASE LET US KNOW

Thank you for your participation in our recent survey.  We are delighted to announce that 98% of patients surveyed are extremely likely or likely to recommend us.  We will endeavour to action any suggestions where possible.  Sincere thanks for all the kind comments.

Sickness Certificates

You do not require a doctor's sickness certificate for any illness lasting seven days or less. Your employer may however require you to complete a self-certification form (SC2) which is available from your employer or on the HMRC website.

Evidence that you are sick

Sickness CertificatesIf you are sick for more than seven days, your employer can ask you to give them some form of medical evidence to support payment of SSP (statutory sick pay).

It is up to your employer to decide whether you are incapable of work. A medical certificate, now called a 'Statement of Fitness for Work’ (see below) from your doctor is strong evidence that you are sick and would normally be accepted, unless there is evidence to prove otherwise.

You could also provide evidence from someone who is not a medical practitioner, e.g. a dentist. Your employer will decide whether or not this evidence is acceptable. If your employer has any doubts, they may still ask for a medical certificate from your GP.

Statement of Fitness for Work - ’Fit Note'

The 'fit note' was introduced on 6 April 2010. With your employer's support, the note will help you return to work sooner by providing more information about the effects of your illness or injury.

For more information see the DirectGov website (where this information was sourced)

 
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