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If you get regular or repeat prescriptions, you could save time by switching to electronic Repeat Dispensing (eRD).
eRD sends your prescriptions electronically from your GP surgery to a pharmacy of your choice. It’s easy to use and you don't need a computer or electronic device. Ask your GP or pharmacist to set it up for you.
eRD allows your GP to prescribe your regular medicines for up to a year. It’s reliable, secure and confidential. Your regular prescriptions are stored securely on the NHS database, so they'll be ready at the pharmacy each time you need them.
Using eRD you can:
- save time by avoiding unnecessary trips or calls to your GP every time you need to order a repeat prescription
- order or cancel your repeat prescriptions online (if your GP practice offers this service)
- pick up your repeat prescriptions directly from your pharmacy without having to visit your GP
- spend less time waiting for your prescription in the pharmacy or GP practice
- save paper – you won’t need a paper prescription to collect your medicine from the pharmacy
For more information about eRD and how it works, ask at your GP surgery or pharmacy, or click here.
How electronic repeat dispensing can help you and the NHS
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Updates to Guidance on Shielding from GOV.UK
The Government advice for those shielding in England is changing soon. For now, you continue to be advised to follow the shielding guidance rigorously. This letter explains how the guidance is changing, why it is changing and what the change in advice means for you.
We know that shielding has not been easy for you and anybody living with you and we would like to thank you for your resilience over the last few months. However, it has been important for you to shield while the virus was widespread. Thankfully the number of people with the virus, and so the risk to you, is coming down.
What is the current guidance?
Over the course of the last three months, you have been identified as someone who is clinically extremely vulnerable due to an underlying disease or health condition that may put you at risk of severe illness if you catch Coronavirus (also known as COVID-19). This remains the case and you are advised to follow the shielding guidance rigorously. You were advised to ‘shield’ to protect yourself during the peak of the epidemic in England when you were more likely to come into contact with the virus in your daily life. The initial shielding guidance advised that you should stay at home at all times and strictly avoid non-essential face-to-face contact.
On 1 June the shielding guidance was slightly relaxed, and we suggested that you may wish to spend some time outdoors away from your home once a day. This change was based on scientific evidence that the initial peak of the pandemic had passed in the UK and, in general, the likelihood of meeting someone in the community with infection had significantly reduced. Like all our guidance to those who are clinically extremely vulnerable, this was advisory. The current guidance can be found online at GOV.UK.
What is changing?
Throughout the epidemic we have been clear on the need to balance the risk of the disease to those who are clinically extremely vulnerable with the benefits of gradually returning to normal life. We know that the shielding guidance has been challenging to follow and that it will take time to adjust.
The latest scientific evidence shows that the prevalence of disease across all English regions has continued to decline. If this trend continues as we expect it to, the Government will further relax its shielding advice in two stages on 6 July and 1 August.
From 6 July:
- you may, if you wish, meet in a group of up to 6 people outdoors, including people from different households, while maintaining strict social distancing;
- you no longer need to observe social distancing with other members of your household;
- in line with the wider guidance for single adult households (either an adult living alone or with dependent children under 18) in the general population, you may from this date, if you wish, also form a ‘support bubble’ with one other household. All those in a support bubble will be able to spend time together inside each other's homes, including overnight, without needing to socially distance. This is a small advisory change that brings those affected a step nearer others in their communities. However, all the other current shielding advice will remain unchanged at this time.
From 1 August the advice to ‘shield’ will be paused. From this date, the Government is advising you to adopt strict social distancing rather than full shielding measures. Strict social distancing means you may wish to go out to more places and see more people but you should take particular care to minimise contact with others outside your household or support bubble.
In practice, this means from 1 August you are advised that you no longer need to shield. This means that from 1 August:
- you can go to work, if you cannot work from home, as long as the business is COVID-safe;
- children who are clinically extremely vulnerable can return to their education settings if they are eligible and in line with their peers. Where possible children should practise frequent hand washing and social distancing;
- you can go outside to buy food, to places of worship and for exercise but you should maintain strict social distancing; and
- you should remain cautious as you are still at risk of severe illness if you catch Coronavirus, so the advice is to stay at home where possible and, if you do go out, follow strict social distancing.
More detailed guidance will appear on GOV.UK when the changes come into effect on 6 July and 1 August.
Will the position be reviewed?
After 1 August we will continue to keep your name on the Shielded Patient List. We will monitor the virus continuously over coming months and if it spreads too much, we may need to advise you to shield again.
We have committed to reviewing the advice to those who are clinically extremely vulnerable at every review point of the wider social distancing measures. Should the scientific evidence require the Government to tighten the advice for clinically extremely vulnerable people, this will be communicated to you quickly and clearly.
Why is the guidance changing?
The Government’s guidance to those most at risk of severe illness if they catch Coronavirus has always been advisory and based on the balance of risk to this group at a time when the transmission of Coronavirus has been highest in our communities. We recognise everyone will feel differently about their own risk and have different priorities – our ambition has been to help and support you in looking after yourself through a very challenging period.
All Government decisions on shielding advice are led by the latest scientific evidence. The latest evidence shows that the chance of encountering Coronavirus in the community has continued to decline. Four weeks ago, around one person in 500 had the virus. Last week it was even lower with less than one in 1,700 people having the virus. As a result, we believe that the time is now right to relax our advice to those shielding further, but we understand that it might take a while to get back to routine daily life again.
Support to stay at home
If you are in receipt of Government provided food boxes and medicine deliveries, you will continue to receive this support until the end of July.
This will give you time to prepare for new advice that you can visit shops, including supermarkets, as you did before the shielding programme commenced, provided you follow strict social distancing. We also recognise that, for some, this adjustment will take time. We can confirm that seven supermarkets have given you access to priority supermarket delivery slots, and these will continue beyond the end of July for those already signed up for support.
If you have yet to register for support, please do so online at GOV.UK or call 0800 028 8327 before 17 July so that support can reach you in time.
Local councils have also been providing support to those shielding. This has included a wide range of help to enable you to safely stay in your home, such as phone calls to reduce loneliness and meeting special dietary requirements. In order to help people adjust, local councils will continue to provide these services to those who need them until the end of July.
If you are struggling as a result of Coronavirus please visit www.gov.uk/find-coronavirus-support. If you do not have internet access, please contact your local council who will be able to signpost you to available support.
NHS volunteer responders
Support will continue to be available through the NHS Volunteer Responder Scheme beyond the end of July. NHS Volunteer Responders can support you with:
- collecting shopping, medication (if your friends and family cannot collect them for you) or other essential supplies;
- a regular, friendly phone call which can be provided by different volunteers each time or by someone who is also shielding and will stay in contact for several weeks; and
- transport to medical appointments.
Please call 0808 196 3646 between 8am and 8pm to arrange support or speak to your health care professional for transport support. More information is available at www.nhsvolunteerresponders.org.uk.
Going back to work
You should discuss your situation with your employer and agree a plan for returning to work if you cannot work from home. Your employer may need to make adjustments to help you continue to work. Please go to www.gov.uk/access-to-work for more information.
Separate Government guidance has been issued on how employers can make workplaces COVID-safe including how they can maintain social distancing and a system of risk management in your workplace.
You will be able to use this letter as evidence for your employer to show that you cannot work outside your home until 31 July, including for statutory sick pay purposes.
Accessing NHS services
You should continue to access the essential services that you need, and you should contact the NHS if you have an urgent or emergency care need.
If you have ongoing appointments scheduled for care and treatment your GP surgery or hospital clinic will contact you to confirm the most appropriate arrangements.
Mental health support
It is normal during these uncertain and unusual times to feel anxious or feel low. You can go to Every Mind Matters (www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters) and GOV.UK for advice and tailored, practical steps that you can take to support your wellbeing. If you are still struggling to cope we would urge you to speak to a GP.
If you have any of the symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) (a new continuous cough, a high temperature, or a loss of, or change in, your sense of taste or smell), you must self-isolate at home and arrange to have a test to see if you have COVID-19 – go to the NHS website to arrange a test or contact NHS 119 via telephone if you do not have internet access.
Your information and responding to coronavirus (COVID-19)
Click here for our SCR coronavirus (COVID-19) supplementary privacy notice
Advice on Shielding and Getting Support at Home
Guidance on social distancing for everyone in the UK
Leeds City Council: Coronavirus - help for people and communities
Health at Home: How to access NHS services online
Guidance for the public on the mental health and wellbeing aspects of coronavirus (COVID-19)
Prime Minister's Letter to the Nation
This is a vital campaign update from the government about Coronavirus.
This is part of the national door drop communication to all homes in the UK.
Door Drop Leaflet
This is a vital campaign update from the government about Coronavirus.
This leaflet was part of the national door drop campaign.
The leaflet contains information on what everyone must do to help stop the spread of Coronavirus. There is also information on spotting the symptoms, advice for vulnerable groups, and information about Government support for businesses and workers.
NHS asks people to share their coronavirus symptoms to help others
A new Coronavirus Status Checker will help the NHS coordinate its response and build up additional data on the COVID-19 outbreak.
A new Coronavirus Status Checker that will help the NHS coordinate its response and build up additional data on the COVID-19 outbreak has been launched today by Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock.
People with potential coronavirus symptoms are now being asked to complete the status checker and answer a short series of questions which will tell the NHS about their experience.
It is open to anyone in the UK to use on the NHS website and in its initial phase the NHS is particularly keen for anyone who thinks they may be displaying potential coronavirus symptoms, no matter how mild, to complete it.
Status Checker users are clearly told at the beginning and the end of the survey that it is not a triage or clinical advice tool, and that they should visit 111 online for medical advice about their symptoms.
The information gathered will help the NHS to plan its response to the outbreak, indicating when and where more resources like oxygen, ventilators and additional staff might be needed and will provide valuable insight into the development and progression of the virus across the country.
Read the full press release from GOV.UK here.
Up to date information from GOV.UK
The UK Government has launched a GOV.UK Coronavirus Information service on WhatsApp.
The new free to use service aims to provide official, trustworthy and timely information and advice about coronavirus (COVID-19), and will further reduce the burden on NHS services.
This will help combat the spread of coronavirus misinformation in the UK, as well as helping ensure people stay home, protect the NHS and save lives.
The GOV.UK Coronavirus Information Service is an automated ‘chatbot’ service which will allow the British public to get answers to the most common questions about coronavirus direct from government.
The service will provide information on topics such as coronavirus prevention and symptoms, the latest number of cases in the UK, advice on staying at home, travel advice and myth busting.
The service will also allow the government to send messages to all opted-in users if required.
To use the free GOV.UK Coronavirus Information Service on WhatsApp, simply add 07860 064422 in your phone contacts and then message the word ‘hi’ in a WhatsApp message to get started.
A set of menu options is then presented which the user can choose from and then be sent relevant guidance from GOV.UK pages as well as links to GOV.UK for further information. Prof Yvonne Doyle, Medical Director, Public Health England, said:
"This service will help us ensure the public has a trusted source for the right information about coronavirus, updated with the latest public health guidance and providing assurance that they are not misled by any of the false information circulating."
Matt Idema, Chief Operating Officer, WhatsApp, said:
"At difficult times like these, people are using WhatsApp more than ever to connect with and support their friends, family and communities. We are pleased to be able to provide the UK Government with the communications tools to help them answer the public’s questions about the virus with reliable, timely health advice, in order to keep people safe."
Help if you are self-isolating
If you are self-isolating and you do not have friends or family who live locally who can help, you can get help from Voluntary Action Leeds.
If you need help phone 0113 378 1877.
NHS Guidance for Coronavirus
Click here for latest information and NHS Guidance for Coronavirus
NHS 111 has an online coronavirus service that can tell you if you need medical help and advise you what to do - see link below
Check if you have coronavirus symptoms
Use this service if:
- you think you might have coronavirus;
- in the last 14 days you’ve been to a country or area with a high risk of coronavirus;
- you’ve been in close contact with someone with coronavirus.
Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital. Call 111 if you need to speak to someone.
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.
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.
Hand Washing
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Spring Covid Boosters
Eligible patients have started receiving letters from the NHS inviting them for their Spring Covid Booster.
Crossley Street Surgery have no current information about any possible clinics being held at the surgery, due to limited supplies of the vaccines. We have no further information at this stage regarding when we are likely to receive any vaccines.
If you have received a letter and would like to have your booster, please call 119 or go online to find your nearest vaccination centre. Please do not call the practice as we have no more information about this. We will keep you updated as soon as we have any more information.
https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/covid-19-services/
Job Vacancies
Data Administrator
We at Crossley Street Surgery in Wetherby are offering an excellent opportunity for a reliable and flexible individual to join our Data Quality team.
For more information, please visit our job posting on NHS Jobs: https://beta.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate/jobadvert/A3859-23-0000
Receptionist
We at Crossley Street Surgery in Wetherby are offering an excellent opportunity for a reliable and flexible individual to join our very busy reception team.
We are a semi-rural practice, with over 11,800 patients, working from a modern purpose-built premises.
We are also a training practice with a wide multidisciplinary team including a PCN pharmacy team and an in-house pharmacy.
You will be a team player, willing to learn, and looking for a fresh and rewarding challenge. You will receive ongoing personal development and training opportunities in our high achieving and supportive environment.
You will work as part of a team providing a professional and effective telephone service to patients, following business policies and procedures, always ensuring accuracy.
You will be required to work between Monday and Friday, 8am to 6.30pm. Rate of pay is £10.14ph on starting, and the post is for 20/25 hours.
If you are interested in applying for this role or would like further information, please contact our Reception Manager, Anita Downie on 01937 543200 or
Memory Support Worker
For anyone who has a diagnosis of dementia or has memory problems, there is now a designated support worker in our area. The support worker is called Carolyne Threadgold and she is part of the Alzheimer's society. She can be contacted via email or mobile phone between 9-5pm Monday to Friday. She can help with information regarding dementia, advise on benefits, recommend local activities and visit you at your home. She is also having a twice a month session at Crossley street surgery that anyone can book into for support through the surgery reception.
These are the important contact details :
Mobile: 07980 970693
Email:
Alzheimer's society: 0113 2311727
A message from our practice manager:
We have noticed recently that large volumes of patients are queueing outside the surgery from 7:30am ready for when the doors open at 8:00am. Most of these patients are wanting to see the on-call GP for what they describe as an acute need. While we appreciate that people may have different ideas about what is and isn't urgent, the on-call GP will only see walk-in patients that they deem as medically urgent. All other pateints will receive a phone call, and the on-call GP will then make the clinical decision as to whether they will need to be seen in person. There is therefore no need to attend the surgery in person to simply book a telephone call with our on-call GP.
Patients who attend the surgery in person to speak to reception will not be triaged any differently to patients who call the surgery on the phone. If your need is urgent, you will be able to speak to a GP. We appreciate that there are often long queues when calling the surgery, however the telephone queues are only being exacerbated by an increasing number of patients showing up to speak to reception at 8am, as this takes our reception staff away from answering the telephones.
Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.
Sarah-Jayne Humphries
Practice Manager for Crossley Street Surgery
Blood Test Only Clinics
There are changes coming to Crossley Street Surgery in the new year: there are going to be 2 Healthcare Assistants doing Blood Test ONLY Clinics on Monday mornings 8am-1pm and Wednesday afternoons 1pm-5pm, offering lots of appointments, with a smaller clinic on a Friday 3:30pm-5pm.
From January, appointments for just blood tests will ONLY be available at these times. If you are unable to make these times then an ICE form can be provided for you to go to Sainsbury’s or Harrogate District Hospital which both offer a walk-in service.
Please note that due to strict timings, Healthcare Assistants will not have capacity to carry out any other examinations during these Blood Test Only Clinics, such as blood pressure or weight checks. We have a self-service POD which you can use to record your weight or take your blood pressure.
Finally, the nurses and Healthcare Assistants will still continue to take bloods during other appointments such as CHD reviews and NHS health checks, but they will no longer have appointments for just blood tests outside of the Blood Test Only Clinics.
SCR coronavirus (COVID-19) supplementary privacy notice
Your information and responding to coronavirus (COVID-19)
GPES Data for Pandemic Planning and Research (COVID-19)
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MORE EVENING AND SATURDAY APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE NOW!
Evening appointments
There are now extra routine appointments available in the evening, making it easier for you to get an appointment at a time to suit you.
The practice offers:
A virtual clinical pharmacist service
This is a telephone appointment for patients who: need to speak to a pharmacist regarding a medication issue; but don’t need to come to the surgery. The pharmacists are able to prescribe and organise prescriptions electronically.
A virtual musculoskeletal (MSK) service
This is a telephone appointment for patients who need to speak to an advanced physiotherapist regarding muscle and joint problems. They will issue advice and where appropriate arrange a follow up.
For either of the above please speak to the reception team for further information on how to book one of these appointments.
A virtual mental health support service (Healthy Minds)
This is a telephone appointment for patients aged 18 and over who would like help with emotional wellbeing. It will provide a 20 minute telephone consultation with Healthy Minds Practitioners who will be able to offer support for patients experiencing low mood, stress or anxiety. They will offer support, explore and develop coping strategies and offer signposting and recommend other support services. Please speak to the Reception team for further information on how to book an appointment.
Saturday morning face to face appointments
There are now Saturday morning routine appointments from 9-12pm available through our extended access service at:
Wetherby Health Centre, Hallfield Lane, Wetherby, LS22 6JS
This increased availability is an extension of the services offered by your practice and is provided by a range of local clinicians including GPs, nurses and health care assistants.
Please note, this is not a walk-in service – you still need to make an appointment via your own GP practice. Extended Access appointments are for routine general practice issues and not for urgent care. If your practice is closed and you are unwell please call NHS 111.
Saturday and Sunday morning face to face appointments
There are now routine appointments available on Saturday and Sunday morning from 9am-12pm available through our extended access service at:
Rutland Lodge Medical Practice, Scott Hall Road, Leeds, LS7 3DR
This increased availability is an extension of the services offered by your practice and is provided by a range of local clinicians including GPs, nurses and health care assistants.
Please note, this is not a walk-in service – you still need to make an appointment. Appointments can be made either via your own GP practice or by calling the extended access team on 0113 221 3540 between 9am and 12pm on Saturday and Sunday.
Extended Access appointments are for routine general practice issues and not for urgent care. If your practice is closed and you are unwell please call NHS 111.
For more information, please watch the following video:
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