Dear Patients
Please see 'Pop-up' Vaccination Clinics: Armagh/Dungannon/Banbridge.
Dear Patients - Notice of July Bank Holidays:
Practice Closure:
Monday 12th July
Tuesday 13th July (Emergencies Only)
Dear Patients - #GrabAJab
✅Aged 18+?
Pop into The-Quays'Newry this Saturday (unit beside Boots) to our walk-in COVID vaccine clinic, open ⏱9.30am – 3.30pm.
OR
Grab your jab at South Lake Leisure Centre by booking online at covid-19.hscni.net/get-vaccinated/
#teamSHSCT #Jabdone #GrabAJab
COVID VACCINATION:
Dear Patients
Vaccination is the most important thing you can do to protect your community against serious illnesses. When enough people get vaccinated, it’s harder for a disease to spread to those who can’t have vaccines.
We know many people are interested in the COVID-19 vaccination and want to assure you that we are working through a priority list set by the Department of Health. Please do not contact your GP about getting the vaccine. We will contact patients in order of priority.
PATIENT NOTICE
Dear Patients
We regretfully inform you that our esteemed colleague Dr Matt Gaffney will be leaving practice on the 20th November 2020. Dr Gaffney has been a Partner of the practice for the last 20 years and has cared for many families throughout his time here. We thank him for the dedication he has shown to all of our patients over the years and wish him every success in the future.
All patients currently registered with Dr Gaffney will be transferred to either Dr John Garland or Dr Stephanie Mullen.
FLU VACCINATION CLINICS 2020
Dear Patient,
FLU VACCINATION CLINICS 2020
As previously advised, this year the guidance regarding influenza (flu) vaccinations has changed and in addition new social distancing requirements mean that we will be running our clinics very differently this year.
As of 5th October 2020, we will be operating a ‘Drive Through’ flu vaccination clinic in the front car park of South Tyrone Hospital. This clinic will be appointment only. If you have not been contacted already by a member of our team or received a flu invitation letter, please phone reception on 028 87 722019 to book an appointment. (Please advise staff of your number plate). If you do not have access to a vehicle, a ‘Walk Through’ clinic is also available on the site.
If you require any further information, please contact reception and a member of our team will answer your query.
When attending the clinic:
Enter via the main entrance of South Tyrone Hospital.
- Turn right towards Parkview Surgery
- Staff will be present at the entrance to take details & provide you with further instructions
- Wear a mask/face covering on arrival & when receiving your vaccination
- Wear a short sleeve shirt/top/t-shirt so that your injection site is easily accessible
- Do not attend the flu clinic if you have been unwell, have Covid-19 symptoms or have been in contact with someone who has Covid-19 symptoms
- Patients who are self-isolating should NOT come to the clinic
- Patients who have tested positive for Covid-19 should not attend the clinic
- Patients who are waiting on the result of a Covid-19 test should not attend the clinic
Letter to Patients
Dear Patient,
We would like to thank you all for your patience and understanding at this difficult time. As we start to open up more NHS services, we know how frustrating it is that things are slow and waiting times are long, but we are doing our very best to deal with everything as quickly as possible and in order of clinical priority.
Recently we have been made aware that there seems to be a wide perception that GP practices are closed and are not seeing patients. We wish to assure you that this is not the case. We have been working constantly throughout the entire pandemic. Patients may be seen in a different way, but we want you to be secure in the knowledge that our practice is definitely open and we have been treating patients and continue to treat patients on a daily basis.
In order to protect our patients and staff, we have had to reduce and limit the footfall coming into our surgery and have introduced a new model of working using telephone and/or video consultations. Using this model of working has had a positive effect on patients, often resulting in patients receiving on the day call backs from the GP’s and nursing staff.
In the past six months we have consulted thousands of patients via telephone, video call and/or face to face assessments. We have continued to generate referrals for patients, issue prescriptions and sick-notes, take bloods, dress wounds, provide injections, take cervical smears, review patients with chronic diseases and have ensured all babies have received all scheduled vaccinations. We have also covered weekly shifts at the Covid Centre treating many other patients within the local area.
As we move towards more technology enabled assessments, we would also be keen to stress that our medical reception team are highly trained care navigators and are there to ensure you are dealt with by the most appropriate health professional. This may mean they will have to ask you various necessary questions in order to assess how urgent your query is. We ask that you provide as much detail as possible.
Again, we would like to remind you not to arrive at the practice without telephoning first. Reception staff will advise you what to do if you have an appointment to attend.
Dr Garland, Gaffney & Mullen.
FLU VACCINATIONS
This year the guidance regarding influenza (flu) vaccinations has changed and in addition new social distancing requirements mean that we will be running our clinics very differently this year. We will provide more information when we have an appropriate plan in place to provide these vaccinations safely for you as our patients and also for the staff delivering this service.
Patient Support Services available during COVID-19.
Stop Smoking Telephone Support: SHSCT Stop Smoking Service
'Bereavement Helpline' Telephone Listening Service: Southern Trust Bereavement Helpline
Stay Active @ Home: Stay Active at Home - Vulnerable Groups
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
7th May 2020 FAO: All Patients Awaiting X-Rays
Dear Patient
Due to the current pandemic, the Radiology Department are contacting patients by phone to arrange an appointment for an X-Ray. We have recently been informed by Radiology staff that they are finding it difficult to get through to patients on the phone. This may be because 'No Caller ID' is displayed for calls coming from the hospital. If you are waiting for an X-Ray, please be mindful that this may be the hospital phoning you to arrange your appointment. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
NOTICE OF DOOR CLOSURE (COVID-19)
DEAR PATIENT
IN ORDER TO PROTECT THE HEALTH OF OUR PATIENTS, DOCTORS & STAFF WE HAVE NOW CLOSED OUR DOORS. WE WILL HOWEVER CONTINUE TO FULLY OPERATE VIA TELEPHONE AND WILL BE PROVIDING ESSENTIAL SERVICES TO ALL OF OUR PATIENTS. IF YOU NEED MEDICAL ADVICE OR ASSISTANCE - PLEASE TELEPHONE THE PRACTICE ON 028 87 722019 AND A MEMBER OF OUR TEAM WILL ASSIST WITH ANY QUERY YOU MAY HAVE.
DOCTORS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR URGENT MEDICAL ADVICE AND WILL SEE PATIENTS IF REQUIRED AFTER TELEPHONE AND/OR VIDEO ASSESSMENTS. ALL PRESCRIPTIONS CAN BE ORDERED VIA PRACTICE PRESCRIPTION LINE (028 87726616) OR VIA WEBSITE AS PER NORMAL PROCEDURES. PLEASE ADVISE RECEPTION STAFF OF A CHEMIST OF YOUR CHOICE AS NO PRESCRIPTIONS CAN BE COLLECTED FROM THE PREMISES. THESE MEASURES ARE NECESSARY TO ENSURE THAT THE PRACTICE STAYS OPEN.
DO NOT COME TO THE SURGERY WITHOUT PHONING THE PRACTICE FIRST OR IF YOU HAVE BEEN CONTACTED BY THE PRACTICE IN ADVANCE. WE HOPE TO RE-OPEN AND RESUME NORMAL SERVICES ASAP.
THANK YOU.
GET AN ISOLATION NOTE:
Please follow the link below if you have to stay at home because of coronavirus and you need a note for your employer.
https://111.nhs.uk/isolation-note
Dear Patient
It is hoped that the majority of patients will register online to make their prescription requests. The online system provides you with 24hr access and prevents frustrating queuing on the very busy prescription line. You are also welcome to post your prescription request or leave at the front desk. Registering for online prescriptions is extremely easy. You can also do this from your Smart phone! Please register on the prescriptions tab of this site.
Prescription line hours: 9.00am - 11.30am and 2.00pm - 2.30pm.
Door Closure Notice:
The doors to the surgery will be closed between: 8.00am - 8.30am & 5.30pm - 6.00pm.
Practice Bank Holiday Closures 2020:
17th March
13th & 14th April
8th & 25th May
13th & 14th July
31st August
25th & 28th December
Dear Patient
A new video about what happens at bowel screening has been produced by the Public Health Agency. Please click on the link to view. Bowel Screening Film - What happens at Bowel Screening