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New digital tool launches to help people find the right treatment

A new digital tool to help people find local health services. 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 surgery has a large volume of telephone calls between 8:00 a.m. & 10:30 a.m., and between 12 noon & 3:30 p.m. Unless your call is for an appointment on the day, a home visit or an urgent problem please call outside these times. For home visits, please call before 11:00 a.m.

The people caring for you need access to your health and care record in order to make the best decisions about your diagnosis and treatment. For this to happen more quickly and to improve the care you receive, a new process has been put in place. With your permission, My Care Record will provide health and care professionals directly involved in your care, access to the most up-to-date information about you. To find out more please see under My Care Record in Further Information on the right or go to www.mycarerecord.org.uk.

You can now provide feedback on our services by clicking here to complete the 'Friends and Family Test', or ask at Practice Reception for a feedback form.

Choose the right care for your needs: Remember that Princess Alexandra Hospital’s Emergency Department is for urgent and life-threatening cases only. The A&E department at Princess Alexandra Hospital is NOT the right place to go to if you’re suffering from common ailments, such as coughs, colds, fever or diarrhoea and vomiting.

In most cases when you need medical help fast, but it’s not an emergency, you can get help and advice from professionals before attending A&E. For instance, you should consider visiting your local pharmacy or GP, or calling NHS 111. For general help, health information and advice, visit NHS Choices at http://www.nhs.uk/

Top tips:
► Keep a well-stocked medicine cabinet — many ailments can be dealt with at home
► Speak to your local pharmacist — they can recognise and resolve many common health issues
► Keep active to stay physically and mentally well
► Be mindful that sometimes symptoms can last longer than you think — sore throats can last an average of eight days
► Don’t forget, antibiotics don’t work on sore throats, coughs or colds

REPEAT PRESCRIPTION / APPOINTMENT BOOKING SERVICE
NB See our notice (above) about our new clinical system
If you have not yet registered for SystmOnline services to order your approved repeat prescriptions and book appointments, please download the registration form (click the following link) Online_Services_Registration_Form.pdf and return the completed form to the surgery in person, bringing your photo ID and proof of address.
OR you can complete the registration form at the surgery (forms are available at the reception desk). Remember to bring your photo ID with you!

For pharmacy bank holiday opening times, see under "Further Information"

Online access to summary information from your medical records.
Did you know that you can now ask your GP to enable you to have online access to your medical records from any computer 24/7 with a personal login?
Initially this will provide a complete list of your medications past and present, and a list of any allergies we have recorded for you; the service will in future be expanded to give full access to your medical history. You should discuss with your GP whether this is appropriate for you. See further information here. To register for our online services (SystmOne) see the section "Online Services" under Quick Links at the right of the Home page.

Named Accountable GP

All patients are allocated a named, accountable GP.

The named accountable GP takes responsibility for the co-ordination of all appropriate services and ensures they are delivered where required (based on the named GP's clinical judgement) but does not take on vicarious responsibility for the work of other doctors or health professionals. 

If you wish to be told the name of your accountable GP, please ask the receptionist when you are next in the surgery. To keep the lines free for patients needing treatment, kindly do not telephone the practice to ask for this information only. 

Having a named GP does not prevent you from seeing any other doctor in the practice, nor does it mean that you will always see your named GP, who will not be available at all times. Patients are entitled to choose to see any GP or nurse in the practice but if your needs are urgent, you may need to discuss them with an alternative doctor or nurse.