Future PLT Dates: 09.04.2024

The practice will close for training during these afternoons at 12pm. In the case of an emergency please dial 111.

The Doctor’s at our Practice do not complete Fit to Travel forms.

Save lives today by donating your blood plasma

NHS Blood and Transplant is asking for men between the ages of 17 and 66 to consider donating their blood plasma. Plasma is used to make antibody-based medicines called immunoglobulins, for people with weak immune systems and a variety of other rare disorders. Thousands of patients rely on immunoglobulin medicines for short-term treatment or lifelong diseases.

Men are more likely to have the blood plasma volumes and larger vein sizes making them ideal donors. Donating plasma takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes and is completely safe. During the process the plasma is filtered out of circulating blood by an apheresis machine and the red blood cells are returned to the donor. It is possible to donate as often as every two weeks and a maximum of 24 donations per year.

Appointments are available now; your local Donor centre is:

• New Street, Birmingham

To find out more about blood plasma donation you can visit: https://www.blood.co.uk/plasma

To become a blood plasma donor, please call 0300 123 23 23.

Telephone Update

We have recently upgraded our telephone system. You will now enter a queue whilst calling reception where you will be told your position. You can also select different options if you know who you are trying to reach. As well as this, we can now monitor all calls for training purposes.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING APPOINTMENTS

Urgent (Same Day) Appointments

For acute illness we can generally offer an appointment on the day with a GP or our Nurse Practitioner. We may also offer an appointment at the Cannock Network which runs out of GP suite at Cannock hospital and can offer out of hours and weekend appointments. We also offer advice on other services such as Pharmacy First and MECS (Minor Eye Condition Service).

Our receptionists will ask for some information about the illness in order to establish a suitable appointment slot to offer. All receptionists have training in confidentiality, please help us to help you. The doctors at the practice do not wish you to be offended or upset by this as the receptionists are trying to do their best to help you.

For urgent appointments and home visits you may not be able to see the doctor of your choice.

The Practice operates a pre bookable and book on the day appointments system. The receptionist will pre-book an appointment for routine issues where possible with the clinician of your choice and a time which can be planned for. For acute illness see ‘Urgent (Same Day) Appointments’ above.

Our receptionists will ask for some information about the illness in order to establish a suitable appointment slot to offer. All receptionists have training in confidentiality, please help us to help you.

Online Appointments

This facility makes a proportion of our appointments available for booking online. If you cannot find a suitable appointment please contact the surgery by telephone and speak with a receptionist.

Practice Pharmacist

Our Practice Pharmacist can deal with medication queries and medication reviews.  You may therefore be offered an appointment to see our Practice Pharmacist is this is appropriate.

Online Services

Why not register for our Online Services. this enables you to make and cancel appointments and also request your prescription without moving from your armchair.

The practice are now offering you the opportunity to book various appointments online. Should you wish to use the service, a registration form will be required, this is available from the surgery. Please ask at reception, where the staff will generate a unique PIN document, along with step by step instructions.

Please note each registered patient will require an individual PIN document, we will only disclose this PIN document to the individual concerned. The practice reserves the right to remove this access if a patient abuses the system.

We are an Armed Forces veteran friendly accredited GP Practice

This means that, as part of the health commitments of the Armed Forces Covenant, we have a dedicated clinician (Dr Neil Green) who has a specialist knowledge of military related health conditions and veteran specific health services. This is important in helping ex-forces to get the best care and treatment.

If you are ex-forces, please let your GP know to help ensure you are getting the best possible care.

Patient charter: our commitment to you as a veteran of the UK Armed Forces

The NHS is here to help improve your health and wellbeing and keep you mentally and physically well. It is also here to help you get better when you are ill and, when you cannot fully recover, to stay as well as you can until the end of your life.

This means that you can expect the following from our practice:

• We will ask all patients if they have served in the UK Armed Forces (as a regular or reservist). If you have, we will note this in your medical record, with your permission.
• We will ask you to share details of your time in service to help us to assess the best support and treatment for you.
• The information you share will be kept confidential and we will always speak to you before sharing this with other services you may be referred to.
• You can make an appointment to see our clinical lead for veteran’s health. This person has a comprehensive understanding of the Armed Forces, health conditions linked to service, and the dedicated support you can access.
• The NHS has a duty to support the health commitments of the Armed Forces Covenant. This means that you will get priority treatment for any medical condition which has been caused by your service, subject to the clinical needs of other patients.
• We will let you know what choices are available for your care and treatment and help you to make informed decisions on what to do.
• Where appropriate and with your consent, we can refer you to dedicated veterans health services.
• If you need to be seen by another service, we will let them know you’re a veteran and make sure they have an understanding of your health and wellbeing needs, so you don’t have to keep repeating your ‘personal story’.
• We can give advice and support to your loved ones who may be affected by your health conditions.
• We will investigate any issues and complaints that you may have about your care. If you have any concerns about the services we offer, please speak to one of the practice team.

To find out more, please speak to one of our GPs or nurses.

Top tips for veterans

How to get the most from your GP

• It is important to register with a GP, rather than wait until you need treatment. Visit the NHS website at www.nhs.uk to find details of GP practices in your local area.
• If you’ve recently left the forces, it is important to give your GP the paperwork that your military medical centre gave you, including any medical records. This will help to make sure your military health record transfers to your NHS health record. This will also give your GP information on your health and ensure that any ongoing care and treatment is continued.
• Regardless of when you left the military, tell your GP that you’ve served in the UK Armed Forces. This will help your GP to better understand any military related health conditions that you may have and ensure that you are referred, where appropriate, to dedicated services for veterans.
• This includes the specialist mental and physical health services, Op COURAGE: The Veterans Mental Health and Wellbeing Service and the Veterans Trauma Network.
• When using these services, you will be able to speak to people who:
  • understand the Armed Forces and military life
  • are either from the Armed Forces community or highly experienced in working with serving personnel, reservists, veterans and their families
  • will work with you to make sure you get the right type of specialist care, support, and treatment
  • work closely with a range of organisations and charities, including military charities, to support your wider health and wellbeing needs
• With your agreement, it can sometimes be helpful for your doctor to refer you to Armed Forces charities, such as SSAFA, the Royal British Legion, Combat Stress or Help for Heroes. They can often offer significant help and support, even if they do not all deliver healthcare.
• You may be worried about sharing information about your time in the Armed Forces. Please note that the NHS is bound by a confidentiality code of practice to ensure GPs, nurses and other people working within the NHS deliver a confidential service bound by law.