Front Street Surgery
We are confident that our website will provide clear and concise help and give our patients the information they require in an easy and convenient format. It has been designed with the patient’s needs at the forefront of everything, from checking surgery times to letting us know what you think of us.
Current Appointment Booking System
Our nurse appointments are bookable 48 hours in advance (apart from smears, vaccinations and essential treatment - these are bookable any time).
Where possible the appointments are a telephone consultation, otherwise they are face to face.
Please ring after 11 am to book these appointments Tues - Friday or after 2pm on a Monday.
Some smear appointments are available to book online from November 2020.
Our GP appointments are bookable 24 hours ahead. These are initially a telephone consultation, if they require to see you face to face, the GP will initiate this.
To make an appointment with one of our GPs please call the surgery at 8 am.
Due to the volume of calls, can we kindly ask that, on a Monday, morning you only phone for urgent appointments.
Social Distancing
If you have an appointment at the surgery, we would kindly ask that you wear a face covering or mask whilst in the surgery.
Although some restrictions are now being lifted, due to social distancing still being in place, we are making every effort to respond to patient requests, but please be considerate to the pressures that practices are under, including current demand and "catch up" from the months of lockdown and shielding.
“Please be understanding of GP service delays in the Vale of York”
GPs in the Vale of York are asking patients for their understanding and continued patience when contacting them for an appointment as primary care teams work harder than ever under current pressures.
GP practices have remained open throughout the coronavirus pandemic for those patients with a health concern and continue to do so safely in line with government guidelines.
Patients are being offered either a telephone, video or face-to-face appointment depending on their needs and what is the most suitable for them, which after the height of the pandemic, may unfortunately mean waiting longer than usual for an appointment.
Dr Andrew Lee, the CCGs Executive Director of Primary Care and Population Health said: “GP practices are open, and primary care staff are working hard to ensure as many patients as possible can be seen face-to-face whilst keeping staff and patients safe at all times. There is a very high demand on appointments at the present time. Many of our practices are delivering appointment volumes back at or close to pre-COVID levels.
“Unfortunately, it is not easy for practices to boost the number of appointments available due to the increased time needed in between appointments to allow for enhanced cleaning processes and to manage social distancing in waiting areas to keep them safe for patients and staff. In addition, practices are reporting that some members of staff are self-isolating with their families due to coronavirus which is having a knock-on effect on staffing levels.
“We are continuing to strongly encourage people with a health concern to contact their GP practice online, via the NHS App or by telephone for an appointment. They will then be triaged into either a telephone, video or face-to-face appointment depending on what is most suitable for them. There are also other good sources of health advice such as local chemists and NHS 111 who may be able to help with minor illnesses.
“We appreciate it must be frustrating for patients and ask for their understanding and continued patience at this difficult time.
NHS Vale of York Clinical Commissioning Group makes up 25 GP practices, all of which are open and running safely for patients with health concerns such as finding a lump in your body, struggling with your mental health, your child or the person you care for is unwell or cervical screening.
Dr Emma OlandJ, Clinical Director for Priory Medical Group Primary Care Network said: “Priory Medical Group remains very much open for business and, for the first time in a long time, we will have achieved our desired GP staffing levels by Christmas. Despite recent media reports that general practice is closed, we are seeing a huge number of patients in our surgeries after clinical triage. We completed 7,137 face to face appointments in August this year which is a great achievement.”
Visit the CCG webpage: https://www.valeofyorkccg.nhs.uk/campaigns/your-gp-practice-is-open/
2020 Flu Vaccination Campaign
We are providing advance notice of this year's flu campaign.
To maintain social distancing, flu vaccinations will be given in pre-bookable clinics.
We will be contacting eligible patients throughout September to book in their flu vaccination appointments.
Please do not contact us regarding flu vaccinations, we will be in touch with you.
FURTHER INFORMATION REGARDING FLU VACCINES FOR 50-64 AGE GROUP WILL BE PROVIDED IN DUE COURSE
Every Mind Matters
We are all facing an unprecedented and challenging time and this may make us feel anxious, fearful or helpless. This is completely understandable.
You may be worried about how COVID-19 will impact on your wellbeing and that of your family and friends.
The NHS Every Mind Matters campaign has expert advice and top tips on how to look after your mental wellbeing during the COVID-19 outbreak. It also includes guidance if you are feeling worried or anxious about the outbreak.
Please visit: www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/
Booking Appointments - Care Navigation
When you speak to a member of the reception team, they will ask you a few questions to help best navigate your care within the surgery or to the most appropriate clinician.
The benefits of this improved system are to:
. Ensure you receive the right service the first time
. Maximise appointment capacity for our clinical team's appointments
. Give you more choice
. Provide you with an improved service.
We look forward to implementing these improvements over the coming months.
Please note:- Routine GP appointments are booked at 10 minute intervals.
Serving You
Our dedicated team are here to treat those minor ailments that occur as well as providing specialist management of long-term conditions and clinics covering a wide range of healthcare issues. The technology also means you can now do a lot of things from the comfort of your home such as order a repeat prescription or cancel an appointment.
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 SystmOnline you can continue to use it. You can use the NHS App as well.
For more information go to www.nhs.uk/nhsapp
EXTENDED ACCESS CLINICS
Front Street Surgery is part of the Improving Access to General Practice scheme. This is in addition to the early morning and evening appointments that we already offer within the practice.
If you require a weekend or evening appointment, our reception staff can book you into one of these clinics.
The clinics are based at other practices in and around York.
Online Services
You can use the online services buttons at the bottom of this page or under the Further Information heading on the right hand side of the page to book or cancel appointments, request medication etc.
Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT)
You can now make a self-referral to the service by visiting www.yorkandselbyiapt.co.uk. Alternatively you can make an appointment with your GP who will be able to discuss with you how you are feeling and if necessary refer you to the service or a suitable alternative.
Electronic Prescription Service (EPS)
The next phase of the Electronic Prescription Service was enabled at Front Street Surgery on 21 January 2020.
- 2 out of 3 patients on repeat medicines now receive electronic prescriptions. If you haven't already done so, nominate the pharmacy of your choice to receive your prescriptions electronically.
- Your GP will send a series of repeat prescriptions to your pharmacy in one go, so there is no need for you to order them each time.
- Collecting prescriptions from your pharmacy without having to order them from your GP saves time for you.
- Time saved in practices means more appointments available for patients.
- Electronic prescribing is easier for the NHS to manage so that medicine use stays safe, effective and efficient.
- Processing fewer paper prescriptions helps save NHS funds and helps the environment.
- This is a reliable, secure and confidential NHS service. Unlike paper prescriptions, electronic prescriptions can't get lost between the doctor and the pharmacy.
Prescribing of over the counter medicines is changing
Your GP won't usually give you a prescription for things like hay fever, colds, aches & pains & sunburn.
You can get advice & buy over-the-counter medicines from a pharmacy without an appointment, saving you time & freeing GP slots for those who need them.
www.prescriptionchanges.co.uk
Changes to Repeat Prescription Ordering
Please note: From 1st September 2019, we can only accept repeat prescription requests sent directly from you, the patient or nominated representative to the GP surgery.
What are the changes?
From 1st of September 2019 GP Practices within the Vale of York put a new system in place.
This change means that pharmacies can no longer order medicines on your behalf and you need to order your repeat prescription directly from your GP practice.
As a patient, you (or your carer, nominated family member or friend) should order your repeat prescription from the GP practice directly, close to the time you need your medication (7-10 days before the new medication is needed).
If you wish to still use your pharmacies collection or delivery service you may need to inform them that your order has been placed (Please check with your nominated pharmacy).
How can I order my repeat medicines?
The best way to order your repeat medicines would be to do it by enabling online access to your GP directly or via the NHS App for your smartphone or tablet. Please remember to only order the medicines you need a supply of.
Other methods of ordering your prescription include:
- By delivering the repeat prescription box within your GP surgery
- By posting your repeat prescription directly to the GP
For more information on this change please either:
Speak to your GP practice directly, or
Visit the Vale of York CCG website: https://www.valeofyorkccg.nhs.uk/rss/prescribing
Please note that due to medico-legal reasons we are unable to take prescription requests over the phone.
If you would like to request a prescription for a medication which is not on your repeat medication list and which you may not have had for some time, please provide the following details:
- Your name and date of birth
- The name of the medication you are requesting and the dose if you have this information
- Why you are requesting it, i.e. please list your symptoms
A doctor will then decide whether it is appropriate to prescribe the medication or whether you need to be seen or need a phone call.
Annual Reviews
We now have a system of holding a patient's annual review in the month of their birthday.
Please remember to make your review appointment.
Check In Touch Screen
We have a touch sensitive check in screen near the front door at our Acomb surgery to enable you to avoid waiting and quickly check in for your appointment.
Lunchtime Telephones
The telephones are unmanned between 12.30pm and 1.30pm Monday to Friday. This is to allow the reception staff time to undertake other important administrative tasks to ensure the smooth running of the practice. The surgery itself remains open during these times. If you 794141.
Access
There is good access for the disabled to all of our consultation rooms at Front Street Surgery which are on the ground floor.
Disabled patients are welcome to use any of the available spaces in the surgery car park.
The surgery has wide doors to allow for wheelchair access.
Carers
If you are a carer, please let our reception team know, so that we can add you to our carers register. Did you know that as a carer, you are entitled to an annual flu vaccine?
Partners in Care
Once registered, patients and healthcare professionals work together to ensure the most appropriate care is provided. This partnership philosophy extends even further and our active patient group exists to make sure that patient needs and the practice offering are always heading in the same direction.
Named GP
All patients at this practice are allocated a named GP.
You are still welcome to book appointments with the GP of your choice, subject to their availability, but your named GP is responsible for your overall care.
Please ask at reception if you would like to know who your named GP is.
YOURPHYSIO is the NHS Physiotherapy website for the Vale of York (York, Selby, Malton) and the East Riding. The aim of the website is to provide help and information to assist you in the early management of common injuries and pain problems. We also offer detailed guidance on living with a long term condition such as osteoarthritis.
The second aim of the website is to promote and support long term musculoskeletal health. You will find lots of information and resources on the website to help you get and stay active, stay healthy at work, and manage your physical health alongside your mental health.