June 2021 Newsletter

This is our first newsletter for some time.

We appreciate that everyone has had a very difficult 15 months and would like to thank everyone for their patience and support over this difficult time.  We would like to extend our sincere condolences to all those who have lost loved ones over this period .

As the vaccine programme progresses and restrictions are lifted we ask that you continue to follow  guidelines, as there  are still a number of unknowns and risk persists . We will continue to take precautions at the practice to minimise risk to anyone attending.

Contrary to popular belief general practice has been offering face to face consultations to patients throughout the pandemic – we have been seeing both covid  and non covid patients. The change has been that all patients are triaged via telephone first and a clinical decision is taken as to who requires face to face appointments.

COVID Testing

Over the past few weeks we have seen a large increase in the number of children with cough , temperature and infections. The guidance which has been in place throughout the pandemic  REMAINS IN PLACE;-

If you or you or your child has;-

• New cough
• Temp over 37.8
• Loss of taste or smell

They must take a symptomatic covid test  called a PCR test , to book go online to https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test.    Note that a lateral flow test which can be done at home is NOT appropriate.

All occupants in the household are REQUIRED BY LAW to isolate until a negative test result is received.

COVID VACCINES

Clinics are ongoing at the Melwood Training Centre  at West Derby

As of this week commencing 10.5.21 , 242,830 people in Liverpool have had their first dose of covid vaccine and  129,250 their second dose.

There has been new guidance out this week regards the Astra Zeneca vaccine – adults aged 18-39 years with NO UNDERLYING HEALTH CONDITIONS – will be offered alternative vaccine.

Online PRESCRIPTIONS

When you use the online prescription system please do NOT request medications for relatives. They have to put their own requests through.  It is also inappropriate to use this system for medical queries /requests unrelated to their prescription .

If you wish your medication to be delivered by a pharmacy this needs to be arranged directly with the pharmacy not through the practice.

We have had a massive increase in emergency prescription requests because patients are requesting  routine,  repeat medications  late – we require 48 hours to process prescriptions. If prescriptions are requested  late on a Friday they  should  be issued by Tuesday end of day  – staff do not review prescriptions over the weekend.

ZERO TOLERANCE.

Our staff have recently faced a massive increase in verbal abuse and swearing, particularly on the phone lines. Whilst we understand peoples frustrations there is no excuse for this and should it happen you risk being removed from the practice list.

We ask patients to be polite and courteous and treat others as they would wish to be treated.

Our staff are asked to take brief details of the ‘nature of your complaint’ – this information allows us to triage (prioritise) patients . You do not need to go into any great detail but the information is helpful.

Social prescriber

One in five GP appointments focuses on wider social needs, rather than acute medical issues. In areas of high deprivation, many GPs report that they spend significant amounts of time dealing with the consequences of poor housing, debt, stress and loneliness.

Social Prescribing and community-based support is part of the NHS Long Term Plan’s commitment to make personalised care business as usual across the health and care system and to bring additional capacity into the multi-disciplinary team.

Social Prescribers are an integral part of time primary care network team, delivery holistic service to patients and improving the health and wellbeing of the local population.

Your Social Prescriber can work with you to identify your non-medical needs and support you access the right services for you

 Joint injections

Over the past 12 months this service was suspended .

 There was deemed a potential risk that should patients have steroid injections it may lead to worse covid disease , should they be infected .

We have recently reviewed our waiting list and hopefully over the summer  will be calling patients in.

Minor Surgery

Again during the past 12 months or so this service has been suspended.

Currently we use the minor surgery room as a covid hot room – a room where we see patients who could potentially be infected. We will be reviewing  where we can hold any minor surgery sessions as a specific designated room is required and has to pass inspection first – we will update you when we are resuming this service.

SUPPORT SERVICES AND USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS

• Liverpool Bereavement Services:  0151   236 3932
• Talk Liverpool  0151 2282300
• YPAS  0151 707 1025   
• Ear syringing 0151 234 1100    
• Careline 0151 233 3800

Staffing

• Since last year we have 2 new Salaried GPs, - Dr Elliot Kerins and  Dr Ugo Icheke.
• From 17/5/21 our Nurse Practitioner Mr Morgan Berry is increasing his hours and working full time.
• We currently have 2 Foundation Year 2 doctors Dr Elliot Harman and Dr Antony Pile.
• We are currently advertising for an additional GP.