GP Patient Survey Results
The GP Patient Survey is an independent survey run by Ipsos MORI on behalf of NHS England. The survey is sent out to over two million people across the UK. The results show how people feel about their GP practice. Visit our “How do I…?” page to learn more or read our FAQ.
https://www.gp-patient.co.uk/surveysandreports
Extended Primary Care Services
The NHS General Practice Forward View (GPFV) outlines a five-year plan to sustain and transform general practice. One of the national requirements it includes is for extended access primary care services to be available to all patients for both pre-bookable and same day appointments from 1 September 2018.
Under the Extended Hours Primary Care Services programme, there is a requirement for patients to be able to access 1½ hours additional appointments after 6.30pm each week day and an effective weekend service based on the local needs of the area. All practices must be able to direct patients to the service and offer a choice of evening or weekend appointments on an equal footing to core hours appointments.
Find out more
New Cancer Support Programme in Staffordshire
Cancer affects 1 in 3 of us. By 2020, that figure will rise to 1 in 2. It can be the hardest thing we and our families have to face.
The Beth Johnson Foundation has launched a brand new service to help adults in *Staffordshire who are affected by cancer.
Funded by Macmillan Cancer Support, the Staffordshire Cancer Support Programme - or CaSP as it will be known – is free to use, and provides social, emotional and practical support to cancer patients and their loved ones during or after treatment.
The service is available to anyone over 18 who has or has had cancer, as well as to their family and carers who may also need support.
Link Workers from the Beth Johnson Foundation will help patients and families with any issues they have, so that they can concentrate on dealing with the cancer and any treatment.
Kath Curley, Project Lead, said: “A cancer diagnosis doesn’t allow you to stop. Life goes on, but with added pressures. It’s often hard to focus on getting better or coping with treatment, because bills still need paying, the grass still needs cutting, and so on. Our experienced team of Link Workers understand that, and are able to help lift the strain and stresses that cancer brings to those affected, which can include family members too.”
Examples of the support the service can provide include:
- Helping research applicable benefits
- Getting utility bills reduced
- Sourcing transport information for hospital visits
- Finding counselling and local support groups
- Seeking an approved volunteer to accompany you to appointments
- Researching care providers
- Finding out about pet care during your hospital stay
Some clients find it difficult to access services, information or discounts because they’re not online. The CaSP Link Workers can help. They can visit you in the privacy of your home, or elsewhere if you like, to discuss how they can support you whilst you deal with cancer.
Staffordshire clients can be referred to the service by a heath professional, family member or friend, or they can self-refer, by picking up the phone.
For more information, please call 01782 844 036 or visit www.bjf.org.uk. You can also write to the Beth Johnson Foundation, 64 Princes Road, Parkfield House, Hartshill, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 7JL.
*We currently do not serve East Staffordshire
NHS England's Over The Counter Medicines Consultation
Just before Christmas, NHS England launched a public consultation on reducing prescribing of over-the-counter (OTC) medicines for minor, short-term health concerns which could save the NHS millions of pounds a year and encourage more people to self care. The consultation runs until 14 March 2018.
A list of 33 minor health concerns has been identified by a national joint clinical working group which are either self-limiting or suitable for self-care. Vitamins/minerals and probiotics have also been included as items of low clinical effectiveness which are of high cost to the NHS.
The consultation will not affect prescribing of items for longer term or more complex conditions or where minor illnesses are symptomatic or a side effect of something more serious.
You can find more information and a link to the survey at https://www.engage.england.nhs.uk/consultation/over-the-counter-items-not-routinely-prescribed/
New Appointment system
GP Forward View
The surgery has implemented a new appointment system in line with the national NHSE (NHS England) GP Practice forward plan for increasing capacity in primary care (General Practice, GP), www.england.nhs.uk/gp/gpfv
What does this mean for you as a patient at the Moorland Medical Centre?
· There will be an increased number of routine appointments available with a GP of choice, so the next available appointment will be offered to you by the receptionist.
· Each day all URGENT non-routine appointments are triaged and seen by the Nurse Practitioner Team. So the reception team will book you directly in with a Nurse Practitioner for an on the day appointment (patient exceptions include babies under 6 months of age and palliative care, chronic condition patients)
· Where the Nurse Practitioner might need a GP then a GP is always available for you to discuss your illness/condition that day.
Care Navigation
We are introducing an initiative to help people to find the most appropriate source of help when they call our practice or pop in to make an appointment.
This means that our specially trained reception staff may ask questions about why appointments are required.
You are not obliged to answer the questions they ask, however by doing so we can make sure that those people who really need to see a GP can see them as soon as possible.
Virtually everyone who calls to make an appointment asks to see a GP, but very often help will be available more quickly from other highly skilled medical professionals such as nurses or pharmacists, or from other services, including the voluntary sector, they can support people with a wide range of social, emotional or practical needs.
Our trained reception staff will be able to offer you the most appropriate help using the range of information they have access to.
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to speak to Rachel Hurst, Patient Services Manager or Fran Fairhurst Practice Manager.