September 2020 Newsletter

Covid-19 Update

The surgery is open as we have been throughout the pandemic period.  However, we would ask you do not attend the practice unless you have a booked appointment.  All appointments are by telephone consultation in the first instance and if your clinician would like to see you, they will book you in an appropriate slot.  We are limited to the number of patients we can have in the waiting room at any one time and therefore it is important not to attend for anything else.

Nurse appointments are taking place but again these will be booked by ourselves to ensure social distancing and room cleaning can take place.

We have a one way system:  in the main door, out the back door to avoid any congestion.

Please make contact with us for any query by:

covid-19 update

Prescriptions can be ordered via online services or via the secure online prescription form 

Please note we have stopped taking prescription requests via the telephone since January 2019.

We would also remind patients the need to wear a face covering when entering the surgery and to attend alone where possible.  Should you have any symptoms such as temperature, cough, headache or other covid related symptoms, please do not attend the surgery.

 

Dr Kate Corkain

Dr Corkain is now on maternity leave.  Dr Vicky Foot will be covering the majority of maternity leave with Dr Jodie Harrison covering also.

 

Flu Season 2020

This year Darlington GP practices are delivering the flu vaccinations in a new and COVID-safe way. There is a drive-through service at the Mowden Park Rugby Stadium and, for those that do not have access to their own transport; a walk-through service is being delivered at St Cuthberts Hall.

The purpose for delivering our vaccines this way is:

To ensure we can give all of our eligible patients their free vaccine as safely and efficiently as possible and to reduce footfall into the practice and lower the risk of spreading infection due to Coronavirus.

If you have not already had or booked your appointment, you can do this via the NHS app, using Systmonline or by ring the surgery on 01325 461128

 

Did you know ? 

In one square inch of our hand we have nine feet of blood vessels, 600 pain sensors, 9000 nerve endings, 36 heat sensors and 75 pressure sensors.   

 

NHS App

NHS App online to access services on your desktop or laptop computer, through your web browser. You do not need to install anything to get started.

READ MORE ON THE NHS APP  

 

Annual Reviews

We are starting to invite patients in for their annual review.  However, we may provide half of this appointment by telephone or online.  Patients will be invited in for the blood tests and BP, with the consultation process as a telephone call.  We cannot however provide spirometry or peak flow tests due to the current guidance.

 

Minor Op’s

These have recently re-commenced under strict infection control guidance.  If patients are due in for a minor procedure please ensure 100% fitness with no symptoms.  If there is any doubt, please cancel and let us know.

 

Prescriptions

All prescriptions are now sent electronically.  Green prescriptions are no longer printed.  It is helpful if patients have a nominated pharmacy (this can be anywhere in the UK) however if one is not nominated we will send the code by text message.  Patients can then visit any pharmacy with the code and the Pharmacy will download the prescription.

Published: Sep 1, 2020