Patient Communications Letter October 2009
 
To all our Patients,
 It is always very helpful for us to know what you think about the Practice and what you think about the changes that have been made and your suggestions for future changes. We review all your comments and propositions and we would like to assure you that we are in the process of making positive modifications.
Through comments received we are now aware of some of your concerns.
In order to deal with these systematically we will be reviewing some of the following arrangements as priorities.
We always try our best to make changes where necessary however, it might not always be possible to implement all the proposed changes in all areas.

Appointments system
On Monday 2nd November 2009 we will be introducing a daily Duty Doctor morning rota session. This doctor will be responsible for triaging patients requesting urgent/home visit appointment requests. Please contact our reception team between 08:30-09:15am if this service is required and they will forward your information to the doctor to contact you.

Our pre - bookable appointments that are now available up to 4 weeks in advance,  routine 24 hour and 48 hour advance appointments remain as previously.

We also now have a Patient Texting Service. You will receive Text message reminders for your booked appointment in advance. Please let us know if you wish to cancel your booked appointment. We hope this service will help you to attend your appointments on time. It is important that in order to provide this service we have your up to date mobile number on our system.
Please do not forget to give us your up to date mobile number. 
 
Waiting Times in surgery
Some of the Comments suggested that the waiting time in the surgery can be anything up to an hour. In order to offer as many appointments as possible, the appointment length(10min) is often not long enough to address all aspects of the consultation thoroughly. We have already changed the appointment set up to allow catch up time for the Doctors. We can assure you these delays happen as Doctors have to allow adequate time in relation to individual consultations; this cannot be helped in most cases. You could help by asking for double appointment if you feel your consultation will not be adequately covered in our normal ten minute appointment slot

Our aim is to offer comprehensive Primary health care service in a friendly and helpful environment. We will keep you informed of any further changes in order to meet your expectations.
Thank you                                                                                          Wishing you best of health.  
 

Minor Illness Scheme

Pharmacists in Camden can now give advice and treatment (if appropriate) on a range of minor health problems.

All you have to do is register once with this scheme with one of our receptionists who will issue you with a "PASSPORT" which you then can take to your local participating pharmacy to receive treatment and advice for FREE, without waiting for an appointment. Not all pharmacists provide this service at present, a list can be obtained either from your pharmacist or doctor.

You must take the "PASSPORT" to the pharmacist every time you want advice and treatment for a minor condition from the pharmacist.

The minor aliments scheme covers a range of short term treatments which include:

Athletes Foot    Cold             Head Lice                     Mouth Ulcers     

Constipation     Cough           Indigestion                    Sore Throat

Cystitis            Diarrhoea      Insect Bites / Stings       Sprains / Strains

Earache           Fever           Minor burns / Cuts          Teething

Hay Fever / Allergic Rhinitis / Allergies                       Threadworm 

Vaginal Thrush  Verruca       Viral URTI                       Warts

The pharmacist may need to send you back to your GP if more than one treatment is necessary or if they feel you have a condition that is not covered by the scheme.

If you do NOT normally pay a prescription charge, pharmacists will be able to provide you with advice and/or medicines for minor conditions FREE.

If you normally pay for your medicines you will be charged the retail price of the medicine or prescription charge, whichever is cheaper.

 
For quick medical advice online or on the telephone contact NHS DirectNHS 111 is a new service being introduced to make it easier for you to access local NHS healthcare servicesNHS ChoicesDepartment of HealthMy Surgery Website