Noticeboard

DATE FOR YOUR DIARY - SATURDAY 23RD SEPTEMBER - FLU CLINIC

We are now taking bookings for our flu clinic which is being held on Saturday 23rd September.

We are also holding a shingles/flu clinic for those of you who are eligible for both vaccines on 23rd September.

Please contact reception on 01271 329004 to check whether you are eligible and to make an appointment.

NATIONAL PATIENT SURVEY - RESULTS

Thank you to our patients who completed the national patient survey for Brannam Medical Centre. We have now received the results and would like to share these with you. Please click here to view the results.

MJOG

We use a messaging system called MJOG which allows us to contact our patients by text and voice message. We have been using this to invite our patients in for their seasonal flu vaccinations, chronic disease recalls and also for appointment reminders.

We would like to make our patients aware that if you receive a voice message starting 'This is a message from Brannam Medical Centre' it is a genuine message from us and please listen to the message all the way through and you will be able to respond.

If you do not wish to receive messages in this way, please contact the reception team.

National Diabetes Audit (NDA): Helping to improve diabetes care

Brannam Medical Centre is taking part in an important national project about diabetes care and treatment in the NHS. Please click here for more information.

BLOOD PRESSURE APPOINTMENTS

Please remember to arrive at least 5 minutes before your appointment to give your heart rate a chance to steady. Please wear loose clothing and refrain from Caffeine and Nicotine for at least 30 minutes prior to your Blood Pressure appointment.

Welcome to Brannam Medical Centre

We are a forward thinking patient centred practice offering continuity of care for all patient groups. We are one of the region's leading training practices with a diverse skill mix of highly valued healthcare professionals and support staff. We aim to offer excellent accessibility for both your long term care and more urgent medical needs.

FLU VACCINATIONS 2020/2021 CLICK HERE

Blood Testing Disruption

We have been informed by Northern Devon Healthcare Trust that the national supply of biochemistry blood testing equipment had been significantly disrupted and could remain so until further notice. This means that certain blood testing services will only be processed if deemed as urgent, and any non-urgent samples taken will have a significant delay in processing until the equipment is available.

You may therefore experience some disruption to your appointments, for those patients who have already booked an appointment you may be contacted by one of our team to rearrange or cancel this.

If you don't hear from us then your blood test is still going ahead.

Unfortunately this is something which we are unable to influence or alter, we will ensure that all patients are followed up and seen.

We will keep you all updated.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-54435226

COVID-19 UPDATE

At the start of the pandemic we had to rapidly switch to telephone triage and implement many new systems such as video and online consultations to keep our patients and staff as safe as possible. We have continued to see patients for face to face appointments and investigations when required, once they have spoken to one of our clinicians.

We are trying to return to business as usual, wherever possible, but there are still a number of restrictions to how we can operate as a practice. We have been fortunate in North Devon not to have seen the predicted levels of infection, illness and deaths from COVID-19. However, we are still in a pandemic situation and in accordance with national NHS advice need to continue to keep footfall in the surgery low, and keep social distancing measures and PPE in place. We continue to have a one-way system through our premises with entry through the front door and exit through the rear door.

We have had to adapt our flu clinics this year to comply with social distancing. We have an increased number of clinics on Saturdays, Sundays and evenings as well as joint clinics with the Barnstaple Alliance practices which are being held at the Leisure Centre at weekends.

We have understandably recently seen an increase in demand for our normal/routine services combines with more seasonal illnesses due to the Autumn return to schools please click here for advice on illness in school children). Due to the increase in demand, if your problem isn't urgent, you may have to wait longer than previously for routine appointments. The last few months have been a time of huge change for us all but our reception team will continue to try and assist you in any way they can.

Please note we cannot arrange COVID tests at the practice or speed up access to tests or results.

Thank you for your understanding and we will continue to update you on any changes as they occur.

Thank you!

You can now receive help, advice and treatment for your health problems at a convenient time for you.

Patients can access safe and efficient advice for lots of health conditions and symptoms on our eConsult website 24/7.

If you need further advice or think you may require treatment you can now consult with your GP online! All you need to do is fill out a simple form about your problem and a GP will get back to you within 2 working days.

You can also request further sick certificates (sick notes), discuss recent tests or get help for other administrative issues at a time that is convenient for you.

Your GP will email you back within 2 working days unless a different method of contact is more appropriate. Please ensure you have provided your email address so your GP is able to get back to you.

Your completed form will be sent to your registered GP unless they are unavailable. If your registered GP is absent your form will be forwarded to an available GP who will get back to you within 2 working days.

You are unable to book appointments or order repeat medications via eConsult, however you are able to do this online by registering with SystmOnline and using the buttons at the bottom of this page.

Please note - eConsult is not suitable for emergency or severe health problems.

Coronavirus advice

Stay at home to stop coronavirus spreading

Everyone must stay at home to help stop the spread of coronavirus.

To protect others, do not go to places like a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital. Stay at home.

Use the 111 online coronavirus service to find out what to do.

Only call 111 if you cannot get help online.

Get the latest NHS information and advice about coronavirus (COVID-19), a new illness that affects your lungs and airways.

Check if you or your child has coronavirus symptoms

Find out about the main symptoms of coronavirus and what to do if you have them.

Self-isolation and treatment if you have coronavirus symptoms

Advice about staying at home (self-isolation) and treatment for you and anyone you live with.

Testing and tracing

Information about testing for coronavirus and what to do if you're contacted by the NHS Test and Trace service.

People at high risk

Advice for people at higher risk from coronavirus, including older people, people with health conditions and pregnant women.

Social distancing and changes to everyday life

Advice about avoiding close contact with other people (social distancing), looking after your wellbeing and using the NHS and other services during coronavirus.

COVID-19 support recovery service

'Your COVID Recovery' helps you to understand what has happened and what you might expect as part of your recovery.

GOV.UK: coronavirus - guidance and support

Government information and advice.

Links to more information about coronavirus

Links to government advice, information for health professionals and advice for other parts of the UK.

How are we doing?

Your feedback is extremely important to us as we are always trying to improve the service we offer to our patients. Click here to see how you can let us know how we are doing.