Everyone at Nuffield House Surgery would like to thank those patients who have sent in kind comments, cards and goodies whilst we have all been coping with the COVID-19 pandemic.  It has been greatly appreciated by us all.  Thank you.

Our doors are open – However you still must follow social distancing rules when coming to see us, therefore please ensure that you do the following;

• We only have limited space for patients to wait socially distanced in our waiting room. Please follow the guidance of our staff. At busy times you may be asked to wait outside, where the clinician will still call you.
• Attend your appointment alone if possible and just before your  appointment time to limit the wait you have at the practice
• Wear a face covering 
• Follow social distancing on the way to and whilst visiting the practice
• Ensure you follow any advice as displayed on posters or advised by our staff
• Use hand sanitiser on entry to the practice – automatic machine available in the entrance
• Try to use the toilet and wash your hands before leaving home – limited toilet facilities available
• Please do not attend if you or any member of your household have any symptoms of Covid-19

We also want to assure you we are doing everything we can to protect our staff during this period. More specifically: 

We have carried out a risk assessment our main actions are to ensure the safety of our staff and patients. Some of the things we have put in place are listed above for changes to patients entering the practice and the service we offer. We have also risk assessed our staff members following latest guidance and advice.

We already had a triage system (patient first) which we are able to continue using to speak to patients before they attend to ensure they do not have symptoms before being seen for treatments and continued care

We will see patients when necessary after triage and we follow guidelines with appropriate PPE

We have adopted video consultations where needed to reduce face to face contact

We follow Government and NHS advice and guidance and keep our staff updated With this - specifically adherence to social distancing, frequent hand washing, hand sanitiser readily available and sneeze screens up in reception.

We ensure that there is regular cleaning of frequently used areas and all staff have refreshed their infection control training

We have  wall mounted hand sanitising stations throughout the Practice to facilitate staff and patients with keeping hands sanitised

Take our patient survey

EXEMPTION FROM WEARING A MASK IN PUBLIC

We have seen an increasing number of requests for GPs to write a letter  to exempt patients from wearing a mask in public.  Please see below the advice from the Local Medical Committee and note that it is not your GPs responsibility to provide exemption.

Exemption from wearing masks

The Government website clearly states that the public should not be asked to provide written evidence of their exemption from wearing a face covering and has now included templates for badges and cards that the public can download. 

Some people may feel more comfortable showing something that says they do not have to wear a face covering.  This could be in the form of an exemption card, badge or even a home-made sign.

This is a personal choice and is not necessary in law.

Those who have an age, health or disability reason for not wearing a face covering should not be routinely asked to give any written evidence of this. Written evidence includes exemption cards.

This guidance can be found at:

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

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

Thank you

Welcome to Nuffield House Surgery

Nuffield House Surgery is a 4 partner practice who looks after just over 13,000 patients.  The partners are supported by a salaried GP and regular locums as well as a Advanced Nurse Practitioners, General Practice Nurses and a Health Care Assistant.  In addition, there is a full team of administrators and receptionists to provide non-clinical support to the practice.  Our reception team are trained Care Navigators whose job it is to ensure you're directed to the right person for the right problem within the resources available.   The whole team are dedicated to offering a caring and professional service to our patients.

IN LINE WITH GOVERNMENT AND NHS ENGLAND ADVICE, AND IN COLLABORATION WITH OTHER GP PRACTICES IN WEST ESSEX,  YOU CAN NOW ONLY BOOK A TELEPHONE CONSULTATION.  IF A GP NEEDS TO EXAMINE YOU, THEN YOU WILL BE GIVEN A FACE-TO-FACE APPOINTMENT AT YOUR GP'S REQUEST ONLY.  Please ensure you wear a face mask or covering.   THIS WILL CONTINUE UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE TO PROTECT PATIENT SAFETY, AND TO MINIMISE THE SPREAD OF CORONAVIRUS TO OUR PATIENTS AND STAFF

Nuffield House Surgery was recently contacted by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) who were offering an engagement and support telephone call to practices.  Below is a summary of their findings of how we have coped and delivered services during the COVID pandemic. We hope you are as happy with the results as we were.

CQC COVID assessment and engagement call summary

If your employer asks for a medical certificate from you relating to COVID-19, please download the document below.

Employer letter re COVID-19

Disruption to normal service

As you can imagine, due to the surgery restricting access to patients,  we are currently experiencing a high volume of phone calls.  We are very sorry, but we are finding it difficult to respond to your calls within our usual timescales. This is because we now have an increasing number of staff who have been advised to self-isolate. The remaining staff are working very hard to try and maintain services, but we are needing to prioritise our workload.  For this reason, a delay to some services is going to be inevitable.  

Routine prescription requests can be either delivered through the letterbox to the side of the building, posted to us, or requested online if you are registered for that service.

The NHS App is also available to use

• UK WhatsApp Coronavirus Information Service – the Government has launched a new Coronavirus Information Service on WhatsApp. The service provides users with official advice and information about Covid-19 directly from GOV.UK. To use the free service:
•  
  • add 07860 064422 to your phone contacts
  • send a WhatsApp message saying ‘Hi’ to get started

We thought this link was really helpful - we hope you do too?

https://www.harlowfrontline.org.uk/FreshFiles/COVID_updated_Harlow_Housebound_factsheet_1st_April_2020_V2.pdf

Dear Patient,

We have been inundated with requests from patients to issue a “Rescue Pack” of Antibiotics and Oral Steroids. Many of these requests come from false social media and facebook advice suggesting anyone with Asthma, COPD, Bronchitis or other lung conditions should contact their GP for the above medication.

The inappropriate use of Steroids and Antibiotics could be harmful to your health.

In our practice, Rescue Packs of antibiotics and steroids are only given to those select patients who have been seen by the Asthma Nurse Specialist or Respiratory Consultants. These patients have been trained on when and how to use their medication and have a Rescue Pack as part of their management plan. At present we are not issuing rescue packs to any other groups of individuals. If you feel that your chest symptoms are not under control and you are worried about COVID-19 symptoms then please go to either of the following websites. If it is not related to COVID-19 symptoms then only in exceptional circumstances contact your GP:

https://111.nhs.uk/covid-19

For COVID-19 Symptom checker

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

General information on COVID-19

https://www.asthma.org.uk/advice/triggers/coronavirus-covid-19/#Plan

Asthma UK support for COVID-19

https://www.blf.org.uk/support-for-you/coronavirus

British Lung Foundation support for COVID-19

We appreciate that you may be worried, scared and concerned. We understand that many people want to prepare in advance. However, making inappropriate requests takes away our clinicians time in trying to help the most vulnerable and in turn will lead to more people being unwell. Please help us to help you all.

Thank you for helping us to help you. Together we can all try our best to ensure that we all try and stay healthy and well in this time of national crisis.

Important information about the coronavirus (COVID-19)

The NHS across Essex will be better prepared for outbreaks of new infectious diseases if the public follows Public Health England advice.

We have put in place measures to ensure the safety of patients and staff which may mean your patient experience is subject to change.

The Chief Medical Officer announced on Friday 13 March that the country has moved into the ‘Delay’ stage of the response to coronavirus (Covid-19).

The new advice issued by the Prime Minister is to stay at home for 14 days if one member of the household is affected and if you have either:

 a high temperature (37.8C or above) or

• a new continuous coughDo not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or a hospital. You do not need to contact 111 to tell them you're staying at home.  
• Use the NHS 111 online coronavirus service if:
•   you feel you cannot cope with your symptoms at home

• your condition gets worse
• your symptoms do not get better after seven daysOnly call 111 if you cannot get help online.Stay At Home advice can be found here.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, and
• avoid close contact with people who are unwell.Information remains subject to regular change and updates. More information can be found on the NHS website here. 
•  

You can find the latest information and advice from Public Health England available on NHS Website  or www.gov.uk

List of diseases and conditions considered to be very high risk:

Solid organ transplant recipients

People with specific cancers

People with cancer who are undergoing active chemotherapy or radical radiotherapy for lung cancer

People with cancers of the blood or bone marrow such as leukaemia, lymphoma or myeloma who are at any stage of treatment

People having immunotherapy or other continuing antibody treatments for cancer

People having other targeted cancer treatments which can affect the immune system, such as protein kinase inhibitors or PARP inhibitors

People who have had bone marrow or stem cell transplants in the last 6 months, or who are still taking immunosuppression drugs

People with severe respiratory conditions including all cystic fibrosis, severe asthma and severe COPD

People with rare diseases and inborn errors of metabolism that significantly increase the risk of infections (such as SCID, homozygous sickle cell)

People on immunosuppression therapies sufficient to significantly increase risk of infection

People who are pregnant with significant heart disease, congenital or acquired

A growing reduction of staffing in the radiology department owing to self-isolation has prompted the temporary reduction in opening times for GP patients to attend for plain film radiographs

 The Princess Alexandra Hospital: Location:  Radiology Dept- Area B6, Hamstel Road, Harlow, Essex, CM20 1QX Monday-Friday 8am-9am & 2pm-4:45pm Saturday & Sunday 9am-1pm

 Herts & Essex Hospital: Location:  Radiology Dept- Haymeads Lane, Bishops Stortford, Hertfordshire, CM23 5JH Monday-Friday 8:30am-12:30pm & 1:30-4:30pm

 St Margarets’s Hospital: Location:  Radiology Dept- The Plain, Epping, Essex, CM16 6TN Monday-Friday 8am-4:30pm

You said...………..we did...………..

You told us that it was difficult to get through on the phones at peak times, so we have put additional staff in reception to help with this demand.

The National Patient Survey said that we could do better, so we are undertaking an in-house patient questionnaire to see what needs improvement.  Results so far are filed under our survey reports (column to the right)

You Don't Always Need to See a GP

Please remember, you DO NOT NEED TO SEE A GP for everything. If you have an ear, throat, urine or eye infections, sprain, rash upset tummy, you will be navigated to an Advanced Nurse Practitioner. ANPs are qualified prescribers who can issue prescriptions without the need to see a doctor. However, if they feel you need a medical opinion, they will ask the Duty Doctor to join their consultation and see you.

In line with local health policy and guidance, we DO NOT automatically treat all infections with antibiotics. 

Please allow our trained reception staff to signpost you to the most appropriate person to deal with your problem which may not always be a GP.

Nuffield House Surgery

The surgery is accessible to patients using a wheelchair, and there are disabled toilets on the premises.

Car parking:

Please note that car parking on the premises is available for registered disabled people only (Blue Badge must be displayed).

There is public car parking nearby.

West Essex CCG Shutdown Dates

Below are a list of the dates that the Surgery will be closed at 13:00 as all Clinical Staff have to undertake mandatory training that is held by West Essex CCG.  

Tuesday 3rd November 2020
Thursday 25th February 2021

If you are not sure what you should do when you are feeling unwell, use the FREE NHS Health Help Now website or app to see available local services, get advice or find the best treatment for your symptoms.

Alternatively you can call NHS 111 for urgent health advice 24 hours a day.

In an emergency please call 999. 

Please tell us whether or not you would recommend us to your friends and family by clicking here to rate us (just one quick multiple-choice question). You can also provide more detailed feedback here (but please do also complete the 'Friends and Family Test').

Registration with Nuffield House Surgery and Usual GP

All patients registering, and who are registered, with Nuffield House Surgery, are allocated a usual GP.

If you wish to know your usual GP, please ask the receptionist.

However, it does not mean the practice will always be able to offer you an appointment to see your usual GP, as GPs are not available every day the practice is open.

Having a usual GP does not prevent you from choosing to see another GP for a pre-bookable appointment, but if your need is urgent you will be offered an appointment with an available GP.

NUFFIELD HOUSE SURGERY POLICY – We do not accept patient requests for change of their usual GP, as patients are able to choose to see another GP for pre-bookable appointments. 

Health help Now.

New digital tool launches to help people find the right treatment

A new digital tool to help people find local health services and advice in west Essex. The Health help Now web site and app gives detailed advice and guidance on the most common ailments and symptoms. The tool also recommends the best place for treatment – showing which nearby services are open. West Essex residents can access the site online at http://westessex.healthhelpnow.nhs.uk/ or search on your smartphone app store for Health Help Now.

The app is broken down into different age groups – baby, child, teenager, adult and older adult - making it easier for people to find the right treatment for them. Health help Now also offers advice on lots of health problems – such as what to do if you accidentally run out of medication. It links to local services including pharmacies, the community and voluntary sector and social care.

Find out more at http://westessex.healthhelpnow.nhs.uk/ or search on your smartphone app store for Health help Now.

Latest CQC Rated Report - November 2019

CQC report 24.12.2019 

The practice was disappointed not to have achieved the areas highlighted for improvement.  Since this report was published, we have worked hard (with the support of West Essex Clinical Commissioning Committee) to ensure things are turned around.  Policies and procedures have been reviewed and improved across clinical and non-clinical areas, and more robust strategies have been put in place to ensure this remains focussed and that improvement continues.

Our Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire has gone from strength to strength, and our links with the Patient Participation Group - whilst slow at the beginning - is also growing.  Our next CQC visit is planned for some time later in the year due to COVID restrictions.

We are confident that our website will provide clear and concise help to give our patients the information they require in an easy and convenient format. It has been designed with the patients' needs at the forefront of everything, from checking surgery times to contacting us (please do NOT use this form for medical correspondence / issues / problems; it is only for general comments about the practice or website, and suggestions as to how we can improve our service to you. Medical matters and complaints cannot be dealt with via this form). If you have a query regarding a medical matter, or wish to make a complaint, please telephone Reception on 01279 213101.