Oak Glen Patient Newsletter September 2024
Introduction
Hello, my name is Collette Ross. I am the new Practice Manager at Oak Glen Surgery replacing Angeline Nicholson.
Angeline has moved to a Practice to closer to her home and I wish her all the best in her new role. I know she has been a loyal and dedicated Manager for many years, and I hope to continue this to the best of my ability.
My background is NHS Practice Management in Bradford and Leeds, and I am familiar with the local area.
I thought it would be useful to give you some updates to some planned changes at the Surgery and hopefully this information will be useful.
Practice Website
We will be looking to update our website in the next few months. We try to keep this up to date and will post information here that you may wish to refer to.
Our website address is: –
Oak Glen Surgery – Eldwick & Gilstead Health Centre | Tel: 01274 566617
Staff Changes
Dr Emma Graves left the Practice in July 2024 and Dr Niall Cahill will leave us on the 30th of August 2024 to move to a larger Surgery.
We wish them both well for the future and thank them for their time and commitment to Oak Glen Patients.
Whilst we recruit, we have sufficient GP cover in place – with our bank of regular GP’s who are committed to patient care and work in cooperation with our GP Partner Dr Hafiz.
Extended Hours
When our appointments are full, and you can travel, we are able to sometimes offer a range of services at Practices in part of our Primary Care Network.
These include Physio aged 16 plus, Blood Tests age 12 plus, Smear Clinics, Young Peoples Counselling.
Our reception team can discuss this with you.
Flu and COVID Clinics
This year the national flu and COVID campaign will start on 3rd October 2024.
We will be running clinics on various dates throughout October and possible into November 24. If you are eligible and you require a COVID vaccination, this can be done at the same time.
You will receive a link that will allow you to book your appointment online through your mobile phone alternatively please contact the Surgery to book your appointment.
RSV Vaccine
We are now making appointments for the RSV Vaccination.
The RSV vaccine helps protect against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a common virus that can make babies and older adults seriously ill. It’s recommended during pregnancy and for adults aged 75 to 79.
Please click on this link for more information RSV vaccine – NHS (www.nhs.uk)
Training Days and Opening Times
Monday 08:30 to 18:30pm (Phones until 6pm)
Tuesday 08:30 to 18:30pm (Phones until 6pm)
Wednesday 08:30 to 18:30pm (Phones until 6pm)
Thursday 08:30 to 18:30pm (Phones until 6pm)
Friday 08:30 to 18:30pm (Phones until 6pm)
We are closed every 3rd Wednesday from 12pm to 6.30pm for staff training.
Calls on this day will be transferred to our Out of Hours care provider – Local Care Direct.
Calls between 6pm and 6:30pm will be transferred to our Out of Hours care provider – Local Care Direct.
If you have a medical emergency, please call 999.
Friends and Family
If you receive a link to complete a Friends and Family Survey, please reply so that we can review our ratings and patient satisfaction. There are also paper questionnaires in the Surgery.
Telephones
We understand that it can sometimes be difficult to get through to GP Surgeries on the telephone.
Shortly, we will be moving to a new telephone system that will allow us to monitor the number of calls we receive and so that we can review our peak times.
Prescription Requests
Please note that for safety reasons we do not accept prescription requests over the telephone.
You can request prescriptions by using our online service, by calling to the Surgery or by post.
We aim to complete requests within 48 hours.
If you would like your prescription to go directly to a chemist, please let our reception staff know the nominated Pharmacy.
NHS Pressure
The BMA recently published an article about the pressures in general practice.
The link below gives some idea of the challenges that we face.
Pressures in general practice data analysis (bma.org.uk)
We would like to assure you that we strive to maintain our values of being a patient friendly, traditional practice.
Thank you to our patients and staff at Oak Glen Surgery
I feel very honoured to be working for Oak Glen Surgery, and already know that the staff I am working with are committed to the care of the patients in Eldwick and surrounding areas.
Thank you for your support.
Collette Ross
Practice Manager