PLEASE BE AWARE POTENTIAL TELEPHONE SCAM
Last week, a scammer telephoned a patient claiming to be from a local Kirklees GP practice. They asked the patient to confirm their identity using personal details like name, address, date-of-birth etc. Thankfully, the patient was vigilant and realised this was a scam as the telephone number shown was a London number and the call was made prior to the surgery being open. This methodology has also been reported in Scotland, where similar calls were made impersonating local pharmacies.
'Try the NHS App
If you’re a patient at our practice you can now use the new NHS App, a simple and secure way to access a range of NHS services on your smartphone or tablet.
You can use the NHS App to check your symptoms and get instant advice, book appointments, order repeat prescriptions, view your GP medical record and more.
If you already use [insert name of GP online service available at practice] you can continue to use it. You can use the NHS App as well.
For more information go to www.nhs.uk/nhsapp'
(You might also need to review existing website content to make sure it covers the different options patients have to connect with online services.)
Primary Care Networks
Since the NHS was created in 1948, the population has grown and people are living longer. Many people are living with long term conditions such as diabetes and heart disease, or suffer with mental health issues and may need to access their local health services more often.
To meet these needs, practices have begun working together in primary care networks alongside teams from mental health, social care, pharmacy, hospital and voluntary services in their local areas.
Your practice is part of the newly formed Dewsbury & Thornhill Primary Care Network. This is a partnership of 7 GP practices who are working together to improve patient care and create positive change in our communities. The network is run by our member practices: Savile Town Medical Centre, Thornhill Lees Surgery, The Paddock Surgery, The Albion Mount Medical Practice, The Sidings Healthcare Centre, Healds Road Surgery and Windsor Medical Centre. By combining our expertise we have a stronger voice to meet future demands and improve outcomes for all.
Progress updates will be provided in due course and in the meantime further information on Primary Care Networks can be found on the NHS England website:
https://www.england.nhs.uk/gp/gpfv/redesign/primary-care-networks/
Extended Hours
Evening and weekend appointments now available
Patients can now see a local GP for routine appointments on weekday evenings and at weekends.
Our practice has dedicated appointment slots for our patients to see a GP or Nurse at Dewsbury Health Centre on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday evenings between 7pm and 9pm. Please inform our reception staff if you would like to book into an appointment.
Our practice is also part of a scheme that is funded by the 27 practices in North Kirklees where patients from all practices are able to book an appointment to see a GP at Dewsbury Health Centre 6.30pm-9.30pm Monday to Friday, 9am-4pm on Saturdays and 9am-1pm on Sundays. These appointments are pre-bookable on a first come first come first served basis. Please inform our reception staff if these appointment times would suit you better.
General Data Protection Regulation and what it will mean for our patients
Please see information located under the right hand tab 'Further information - General Data Protection.'
Please click the link below to open and print if required:
GDPR leaflet for patients
Text result reminders and alerts direct to your mobile
Did you know we can now send text reminders and alerts direct to your mobile phone?
In addition to confirming appointment times and dates and to alert you to any changes to the availability of the Doctors and nurses, we are using this facility to remind patients to contact the surgery to make an appointment . This could be to discuss your blood results or possibly to repeat them or it could be to discuss a clinic letter received from the hospital. The text message would advise whether the appointment would be with either the nurse or the GP.
To ensure you are able to receive this information we ask that you update your telephone contact details with the reception staff.
Please always make sure we have your current mobile number.
Patient Choice survey
If you have been referred for further treatment within the last 12 months, we would be grateful if you could please spare the time to complete the following brief questionnaire here about your experience of Patient Choice. The deadline for completion of the survey is Friday 1 September 2017. Thank you.
Dementia Friends - every action counts
Dementia Friends is an Alzheimer's Society initiative - it is the biggest ever campaign to challenge perceptions of dementia and change the way we think, act and talk about the condition.
Albion Mount fully supports the Dementia Friends campaign and is developing services to become more understanding of the needs of people with dementia and those that care for them.
To find out more about we're doing to support the Dementia Friends campaign, click here.
Systmonline app - now available for smartphones and tablets
You can log into the app with a username and password provided by the surgery - if you already have a current Systmonline username and password, these can be used to log into the app after download to your smartphone or tablet.
Patients can view their own personal information, order repeat prescriptions, book and cancel appointments, and send and receive messages. Other features are in development; including access to your records and test results. To find out more, click here
CQC inspection 2016 - see the full report on our homepage
As many of our patients are aware, Albion Mount was recently inspected by the CQC, the regulatory body for health and social care, to ensure our services continue to meet national standards of care, quality and safety.
We are delighted to announce that our services were rated as GOOD across all 5 core areas of inspection ie. services are safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led. Full details of CQC's findings can be found on the home page - just click on the 'See the report' button to open. We wish to extend a big thank you to all patients who contributed feedback during and before the inspection visit - your views help us to improve standards even further.
Detailed Coded Records Access
Albion Mount is ready to support patient access to their own medical records. Detailed Coded Records Access (DCRA) is available to request online - you'll need a username and password, so please enquire online or ask our reception team to advise you further. It will be necessary for you to complete a written DCRA request form and photographic identification is also required.
Speak to your pharmacist for advice on minor ailments
Did you know that your local NHS spends £1.3m on medicines like paracetamol, ibuprofen, mild eczema creams and cough medicines, which are often more easily available from your local pharmacy or supermarket? Your pharmacist is able to provide advice on minor ailments and will always advise you to see a doctor if they think it important. Buying medicines for minor conditions helps save you and the NHS time and money - all of which can be better used to employ more nurses and to perform more vital operations. Find out how you can help by clicking this link: Over the counter guidance
Will you be an antibiotic guardian?
Why it is relevant to you: without effective antibiotics many routine treatments will become increasingly dangerous. Setting broken bones, basic operations, even chemotherapy and animal health all rely on access to antibiotics that work.
What we want you to do: To slow resistance we need to cut the unnecessary use of antibiotics. We invite the public, students and educators, farmers, the veterinary and medical communities and professional organisations, to become Antibiotic Guardians.
Call to action: Choose one simple pledge about how you’ll make better use of antibiotics and help save these vital medicines from becoming obsolete.
Find out more and make your pledge at https://antibioticguardian.com
Text reminders and alerts direct to your mobile
Did you know we can now send text reminders and alerts direct to your mobile phone? It's a great way to confirm appointment times and dates, and to alert you to any changes to the availability of the Doctors. The system is helping to cut down the number of missed appointments and helps to remind you to tell us if your appointment is no longer required. If you'd like be added to the service, please click here to find out more - if you are happy to proceed, simply complete the consent form. If you have any problems, you can always speak to our reception team. Please always make sure we have your current mobile number.
