SURGERY NEWS

Monday 19th September 2022

Everyone at Newburn Surgery has been deeply saddened by the passing of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth ll.  She was greatly respected and admired by us all.  Our heartfelt condolences go out to King Charles lll and to the entire Royal Family.

The surgery will be closed on Monday 19th September 2022 for the funeral of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth ll and will re-open on Tuesday 20th September 2022 at 8.30am.

If you have a life threatening medical emergency please call 999.  If you require urgent medical assistance which cannot wait until the practice re-opens please call 111 for the urgent healthcare advice service.

If you have an appointment booked for that day you will be contacted by the surgery. 

Please check that you have enough medication and re-order before Thursday 15th September if you will run out over the bank holiday weekend.

 

 

 

Newburn Surgery has been offering excellent patient-centred health care for over 90 years. Our website is here to help you understand all the services we offer and how to access them. 

 

 

“Cervical screening saves lives” says national campaign

Today the Department of Health and Social Care, together with NHS England and NHS Improvement, are launching a Help Us Help You – Cervical Screening Campaign, to highlight the benefits of cervical screening and remind people that that it can help stop cancer before it starts. The campaign encourages those eligible for screening - women and people with a cervix aged 25-64 - to respond to their cervical screening invitation letters and to book an appointment at their GP practice if they missed their last one.

Two women die every day from cervical cancer in England.1 Yet it is one of the most preventable cancers and getting screened can help stop it before it starts. Screening checks for certain types of the HPV virus that can cause cell changes to your cervix. Cell changes are easily treated and this prevents cervical cancer.

For more information, visit www.nhs.uk/cervicalscreening

 

New Service at The Lemington Centre

 

 

Eat Well - Get Fitter!

Would you like to join our 6-week programme 'Eat Well, Get Fitter' every Friday 2-3pm and get support from our team to help you to achieve your diet/exercise goals?

These sessions will take place at The Lemington Centre and you will benefit from:

• 30 minutes weekly chat around achieving a healthy diet with our team who will offer you motivation and support
• 30 min utes exercise in our Gym at The Lemington Centre, with exercise advice available.

For more info, call the Health Improvement Team on 0191 272 4244.

The cost is only £1.50 per session.

 

Diabetes Club

Our free Diabetes Club is starting 24th November 11 - 12pm, every Wednesday for 4 weeks.

This is for anyone who has Type 2 Diabetes and who would like a better understanding of their condition and how to take control of it.

These information sessions will give you:

• Insight into Type 2 Diabetes and how it impacts your body
• Valuable advice and top tips with your diet and goal setting
• An understanding of the best way to achieve a healthy realistic diet

If this sounds like something you would be interested in, please call our Health Improvement Team on 0191 2724244.

 

We Are Recruiting! - This job is now closed.

Newburn Surgery are looking for a part time PRACTICE NURSE to support the Lead Nurse and the HCAs in delivering excellent services to our patients.

To apply go to NHS Jobs

or

Apply with your CV to: julie.dixon27@nhs.net

 

Patient Notice 20.9.21

*** FLU CLINIC SATURDAY 25th SEPTEMBER ***

THE CLINIC IS AT THROCKLEY SURGERY

The clinic is now open for this coming Saturday 25th September for over 65 year old patients. We do not have enough vaccines at this stage for every patient in this cohort.

If you have a mobile you will have received a message with a link for you to book your own appointment.

Patients without a mobile are being contacted by post or by telephone.

Don't worry if you do not get an appointment on this clinic as we will be holding further clinics as soon as we have the stock available.

Please try and avoid calling the surgery re your flu vaccine as the phones are already very busy and we would like to help those who need more urgent appointments.

 

Patient notice 20.9.21

Covid vaccine booster phone calls

If you are over 70 or clinically vulnerable, you may be getting a call from Newcastle GP Services (NGPS) in the coming months to book your Covid vaccine booster appointment. NGPS work with all 31 GP practices in Newcastle and have been in charge of delivering 200,000 Covid vaccines since last December.

They are helping all practices to book patients in for their appointments so if you get a call from an unknown or withheld number, from someone from NGPS, please be assured that this is a genuine service.

The first groups to receive the call will be the most vulnerable and elderly, so please bear with us if you don’t receive a call from NGPS soon.

 

Notice - To all our Patients

(15.7.21)

We are aware of the planned move to lifting the remaining COVID restrictions in England from the 19th of July.

Medical settings are a higher risk environment and will need to be subject to more control measures than other public facilities.

At Newburn Surgery we are acting very cautiously and are maintaining:

⬅️➡️ Social distancing

😷😷 Face coverings

😷😷 PPE for healthcare staff

ONLY come to the surgery if you have an appointment.

ONLY 6 patients in the waiting room at any one time.

If you do not wear a mask, we may ask you to wait outside.

The delta variant is much more transmissible, and patients may come to the surgery when they are contagious. This is especially relevant when many of our patients waiting to see a doctor/nurse are vulnerable.

It is our duty to do all we can to keep both our patients and our staff safe whilst we deliver our care.

If we don’t another real risk is that, with increasing isolation numbers, delivery of our services will be affected.

Thank you for supporting us to keep you and our staff safe.

 

We are Hiring! (posted 30.6.21)

Closing date 18th July 21

We are looking for an experience Health Care Assistant to join our busy nursing team. 

The position is part time - 16 hrs a week. Salary is dependant on experience.

Please send your CV to janet.gleeson@nhs.net

 

PATIENT NOTICE  - YOUR DATA - (Updated 25.6.21)

NHS Digital has been collecting data from GPs through its trusted General Practice Extraction Service.  This system is now being replaced with their new General Practice Data for Planning and Research (GPDPR) service, a broader general-purpose collection which will enable faster access to pseudonymised patient data for planners and researchers.

The data collection will begin on 1st September 2021.

 

About the General Practice Data for Planning and Research data collection

Please watch the video: How the NHS uses your patient data from GP practices to improve health and care

You can read the full information on data and information on NHS Digital

Opting out

If you don’t want your identifiable patient data to be shared for purposes except for your own care, you can opt-out by registering a Type 1 Opt-out or a National Data Opt-out, or both. These opt-outs are different and they are explained in more detail below. Your individual care will not be affected if you opt-out using either option.

Your Choices:

1. Type 1 Opt-out (opting out of NHS Digital collecting your data) (Type 1 opt-out: medical records held at your GP practice)

What to do next.

You need to tell your GP practice if you do not want your confidential patient information held in your GP medical record to be used for purposes other than your individual care. This is commonly called a type 1 opt-out. This opt-out request can only be recorded by your GP practice.

You can ONLY DO THIS by completing the TYPE 1 OPT-OUT FORM

Complete the form and send it to your GP surgery

 

2. National Data Opt-Out (opting out of NHS Digital sharing your data)

What do do next

National data opt-outs are not recorded at the GP practice and instead you can change your national data opt-out using the online service or by calling our contact centre.

There have been posts on social media with false information about opting out of sharing your data with the NHS.

Here's what you need to know:

• There is no 30 September deadline for opting out of sharing your data. You can opt out at any time.
• NHS Digital will never sell your data.
• There are strict rules about how the NHS can use your data. It's only shared securely and safely.
• Shared data helps the NHS. It has been used to find the first treatment for coronavirus and for vaccine research.

You can find out more about this and register/change your choices a National Data Opt-out 

 or by calling 0300 3035678.

 

COVID vaccination appointments - updated 13.5.21

We are requesting patients do not telephone the surgery re Covid Vaccinations.

Newburn Surgery are no longer booking 1st Covid vaccinations and all 2nd vaccinations have been invited.

Appointments for our patients over 38 are requested to now use the National Booking System (NBS).

“You can now book your covid vaccine appointments at Newcastle Eagles on the NHS website at: Book a coronavirus vaccination - NHS (www.nhs.uk)

OR

by calling 119.

Clinics are uploaded weekly and so if you can’t see any available slots, please refresh the site every few days.”

Please do not ring to tell the surgery to tell us no slots are available as there is nothing we can do. Please keep trying and you will see appointments as they are put on from a central team - not Newburn Surgery.

We are sending SMS messages out to those patients who have given us mobile contact with these instructions.

 

Demonstrating your COVID-19 vaccination status when travelling abroad

Do not contact your GP surgery about your COVID-19 vaccination status. GPs cannot provide letters showing your COVID-19 vaccination status.

The service will go live from Monday 17 May. Demonstrating your COVID-19 vaccination status allows you to show others that you’ve had a full course of the COVID-19 vaccine when travelling abroad to some countries or territories. A full course is currently 2 doses of any approved vaccine.

Please go to the Gov.UK website to get all the information you need to get your vaccination status.   

 

We are Hiring!

Due to staff retirements we are looking for 2 part-time reception/administrators to join our Reception/Admin Team.

This is an interesting and varied dual role within a fast paced environment. You could be working in reception where you will receive all patients and visitors to the practice and handling telephone enquiries such as booking patient appointments, taking orders for medications and calling patients on behalf of GPs. Working on the administration side requires you carry out numerous admin tasks associated with the smooth running of an efficient medical practice.

Whilst full training is given, successful applicants should have experience of working as part of a team in a busy customer facing environment and be able to handle numerous, often complex queries both over the telephone and in person. You should be comfortable working in a fast paced office, able to prioritise work and react quickly to changing situations. You must have an eye for detail, be patient, empathetic, professional and polite and be willing to follow instructions and deliver services in line with Newburn Surgery guidelines and policies. The ability to keep calm under pressure is essential as is the ability to communicate clearly and concisely both verbally and in writing.

Please email julie.dixon27@nhs.net to request further details.

The closing date for applications is Monday 24th May. 

You can also find these jobs listed on the NHS jobs website and you can apply directly through there. 

 

COVID Vaccination  UPDATED 6.5.21

Since the start of the Covid vaccine programme Newburn Surgery have been working in line with our local vaccination centres - the Eagles and Newcastle Racecourse. 

We were organising patient appointments on behalf of patients up until clinics this week but we are no longer able to do this. 

Patients being recalled for a second vaccine having had their first caccine though our invitation will now be send a link to book themselves on the VBS site. Please try and refrain form calling the surgery with general enquiries about covid vaccines, instead use the contact page on the website or our email address. These are monitored throughout the day and you will get  a response.  

 

Telephoning the Surgery

We would like to thank our patients for bearing with us during these hugely stressful times for everyone. As many of you know, General Practice has seen unprededented demand over the last year or so and this demand continues to increase. This is affecting GP surgerys up and down the country - not just us. It is difficult to fully describe how hard all staff have worked throughout the pandemic. 

The majority of the patients are considerate and kind but for the minor few who take the opportunity to be disrepectful and rude we need patients to understand we will not tolerate this.

How can patients help us?

1. Every day we process a lot of telephone calls into the surgery. Especially first thing on a morning. This does not mean we need more staff, it means we need patients to have all the information they need to contact the surgery by all the methods available.
2. Not every patient who calls the surgery actually needs a same day appointment. If it is not urgent you could try calling later in the day or by any of the other methods available to you.

How can patients contact the surgery?

Go to our appointments page

 

Primary Care Networks

Newburn Surgery is part of Newcastle Outer West Primary Care Network. More information and updates on our Primary Care Network page.

 

Social Prescribing

Social prescribing, sometimes referred to as community referral, is a means of enabling GPs, nurses and other primary care professionals to refer people to a range of local, non-clinical services. At the Surgery we have access to Ways to Wellness  the social prescribing navigation service and our Primary Care Network Link Worker has a clinic every Thursday afternoon.

 

 

Spotlight On CARERS

A carer is anyone who cares, unpaid, for a friend or family member who due to illness, disability, a mental health problem or addiction cannot cope without their support.

At Newburn Surgery we are keen to identify which of our patients are carers. Please go to our Carers page for all the information on how we can help you.

Are you a Carer? Then you might he interested in this video entitled:

An integrated approach to the identification and assessment of carer health and wellbeing:

 

Other News and Information

 

Healthwatch Survey - Update

Outer West Primary Care Network says thank you!

The Outer West Primary Care Network is made up of six local GP Practices:

• Denton Park Medical Group
• Denton Turret Medical Group
• Newburn Surgery
• Parkway Medical Group
• Throckley Primary Care Centre
• Westerhope Medical Group

We recently partnered with Healthwatch Newcastle to run a survey gathering patients’ views on additional services, accessing the practices and how Covid-19 has affected their experience.

We wish to thank patients for their views, which will help us to improve health care to meet local needs and to tackle health inequalities in the area.

Read the article and the full report on the Healthwatch website

A paper copy of the report can also be obtained, on request, from the practice.

 

Healthwatch Survey

The PCN of which our surgery is a part of, is running a survey from Monday 18th Jan until Friday 12th of Feb. It is a survey to establish what services patients value, use, would like to see and how they access them. 

It is being run by Healthwatch in partnership with the PCN. The survey:

• is a short survey which will take around 10 minutes to complete
• is anonymous
• has a prize draw to win 1 of 10 £25 Morrison vouchers which will be drawn after it closes

Complete the survey online

If you are not able to fill the survey in online but would like to give feedback, there is a freephone number you can call and Healthwatch staff will complete the survey for patients over the phone . Tel: 0808 178 9282

 

Coronavirus - Requests for Doctors notes (Med 3) & Letter to cover absence

In accordance with Government advice in response to the Coronavirus pandemic, it is inevitable that a number of employees will be required to quarantine themselves at home for 14 days because other members of the household are showing symptoms. Under such circumstances, your GP will not be able to issue a sick note as the time off work is not due to an illness, and is not affecting your ability to work, but rather is a precaution to avoid transmission of any illness that is yet to produce symptoms.

Your employer needs to understand that the reason for this self isolation is to protect the welfare of your work colleagues and the wider community. If absolutely necessary, we understand that you may be able to contact NHS 111 for a note to request confirmation of the suspected Coronavirus diagnosis, to show to your employer.

Whilst we appreciate this may cause some difficulties between you and your employer, these actions are in accordance with government guidelines. GPs have a responsibility to prioritise the assessment and management of the healthcare needs of patients who are acutely unwell, rather than spending time dealing with requests for sick notes, particularly when it is not possible to issue a Med 3.

Additionally, for children who had taken time off school prior to the Government's decision to close schools with effect from 20 March 2020, there is no NHS requirement for GPs to provide letters to the school to confirm this.

As I am sure you will appreciate, with the rapidly evolving pandemic situation, and the already existing pressures on GPs to meet the day to day demands from unwell patients, the practice is unable to accommodate a school request for a GP letter. We hope that schools wi

 

New website for the Surgery

This new website went live on 20 Jan 2020. We hope that you will find it easier to navigate and better on mobile devices. We are keen to get you feedback so let us know if there are any problems by using our contact form.

 

Cervical Cancer Prevention Week -  20-26 January 2020

 

How can you reduce your risk of cervical cancer?

We want to ensure all women and people with a cervix know how cervical cancer can be prevented.

This means:

• Attending cervical screening when invited
• Knowing the symptoms of cervical cancer and seeking medical advice if experiencing any
• Taking up the HPV vaccination if aged 11-18
• Knowing  you can find support and further information at Newburn Surgery

You can read more about HPV and Cervical Cancer here.

 

National Cancer Diagnosis Audit

The Surgery is participating in this audit which takes place every year looking at cancer diagnoses over the past year. It helps us to look at whether we can do any better on making early diagnoses of cancer and contributes to the national audit doing the same. There is a National Cancer Diagnosis Audit poster with more information.

 

Nurse Practitioner

Sister Elaine Robinson, our Nurse Practitioner, is qualified to deal with a range of minor illnesses in patients over 10 years of age such as cuts and grazes, strains and sprains, bites and stings, stomach upsets, ear and throat infections, minor scalds and burns, emergency contraception, cough and colds, sexual health advice and minor skin infections and rashes. She is also a qualified Nurse Prescriber. Please consider booking an appointment with Elaine rather than use a GP appointment.

 

Doctors in training

Dr Ruth Ralston, GP registrar, joined us in August for 6 months. She is in her final year of training to be a GP.

The practice also trains Foundation junior hospital doctors at the surgery under the supervision of Dr Julian Hargreaves. These doctors have had a full year of experience working on the wards in hospital and spend four months at the surgery gaining valuable experience in primary care medicine. Dr Fergus Houston started at the Surgery in December and will be with us until Apr 2021.

 

The Little Orange Book/Ill Children

The Little Orange Book is a new publication produced by Child Health Doctors in our CCG. It contains some invaluable advice on helping babies and young children when they are poorly. Download a copy of the Little Orange Book. Copies are also available in the surgery and may be useful in reassuring parents.

We do, however, understand parents' concerns when children are ill, especially if this is sudden. We will always offer an ill child a same-day appointment and this is likely to be quicker than waiting at A&E.

 

Ways to Wellness

Ways to Wellness is a new service available in the west of Newcastle aimed at those aged 40-74 who are living with a long term condition such as Diabetes, Asthma, COPD, Heart Disease, Epilepsy or Osteoporosis. It is designed to provide non-medical support to help people to change their lifestyles and improve their health. The doctors and nurses at Newburn recommend this programme and are very happy to refer suitable patients to the Ways to Wellness team. Just ask the nurse or doctor. Further information is available on the Ways to Wellness website.

 

Wi-Fi Access

The surgery is wi-fi enabled and we wish to offer this as a free service for patients. Username and password details are available in the surgery

 

Telephoning the Surgery

Our patient group recently debated the results of our annual patient survey and asked us to produce this briefing note on Telephoning the Surgery in the hope that it will save time and frustration when telephoning us.

 

The Great North Care Record

The surgery has now enabled record sharing with the Great North Care Record. GPs, hospitals and other relevant Health and Social Care agencies providing care to patients in the North East are co-operating to allow access to key information within GP records, such as significant health problems, test results, medication and allergies. A clinician such as an A&E doctor will always ask your permission before viewing this information. Further information is available in our Privacy page or you may wish to look at the patient leaflet. We believe that sharing this information with other clinicians is in your interests, however you have the right to opt out of this arrangement by completing the Medical Record Sharing Opt Out form. There is also further information available through the Great North Care Record website.

Reviewed Jan 2020