Greystoke Surgery

Minor Surgery is sometimes offered in Primary Care for the removal of benign skin lesions such as skin tags, warts and cysts. In addition, cryotherapy (freeze treatment) can be used to treat some lesions.  Minor Surgery is not available at all GPs surgeries as it does not form part of the GMS contract. Provision of such services comes under ‘Enhanced Services’ and a Practice may choose to opt in, but this is not a standard, commissioned, service.   For this, they need not only suitably skilled staff, but also surplus time to allow clinicians and nurses to run these clinics when they would otherwise be seeing patients.

We no longer have a GP with minor surgical skills training and demand on appointments is high. As such we will no longer be offering minor surgery services here at Greystoke. All patients on our waiting lists have been contacted and offered an appointment to have their final treatment.

Patients with concern over their skin lesions should still have an assessment by a clinician. Concerning lesions will be referred to dermatology, as they always have. For benign, or ‘nuisance’ lesions, the hospital have set criteria that would need to be met, for example recurrent infection or bleeding. These would be assessed on a case-by-case basis. We have several patients requesting removal of asymptomatic, benign lesions and the NHS is unable to offer this. Patients have the option of private removal if they so wish.

Cryotherapy is rarely offered in general practice. For lesions such as recurrent actinic (solar) keratoses, your GP may offer you Efudix cream, which is just as effective. Treatments for warts and verrucae can be purchased from local pharmacies. Below is some guidance for self-management, following advice obtained from our local dermatology department.  In addition there is some information about Molluscum Contagiosum, a common skin condition in young children.

Advice-on-the-management-of-warts-and-verrucae

Advice-on-the-management-of-molluscum-contagiosum

Nearby-Minor-Surgery-providers

 

How to download and use the NHS App.

Before starting you will need the following information:

• Your email address
• Your NHS number
• Your date of birth
• Your post code
• A form of photo ID such as your passport or driving licence
• Your smartphone, which will need to include a camera

Steps to register and log in:

1. Once you open the app, you need to firstly enter your email address – you’ll then be asked if you want to set up a new login. Select that option and press ‘Continue’.
2. Choose a password and then click continue to agree to the terms of use.
3. You will then be sent an email to check the address. This will mean closing the NHS app and then checking your emails to confirm receipt.
4. Once you’ve done that, go back into the NHS app and click to say you have confirmed your email address.
5. Next, you’ll be asked to enter your mobile number and a security code will be texted to you. Enter this six code number into the box and click continue.
6. You will then be asked for your NHS a number – enter this in the box.
7. Enter your date of birth.
8. You will then be presented with a page of information about the use of the app, terms of use, the privacy policy and cookies. Click to confirm you have understood and are willing to accept these, and then press continue.
9. You will then be asked about sending notifications and again need to press to confirm these and to continue.
10. You will be given some log in options, for example if your mobile device supports fingerprint or face recognition, these can be used to access the app. Confirm if you would like to use these as options.
11. Getting this far, will give you limited access to the NHS app. To get fuller access including the ability to book appointments and repeat medications, you will need to prove your identity and confirm which is your GP practice. Press continue to do this.
12. When asked for an ODS code for your practice-this is NOT needed. If you scroll further down, you are able to continue without this code.
13. The next page, asks a number of questions and you will need to choose a form of photo ID (such as driving licence or passport) in order to prove your identity. Select which form of ID you want to use, highlight this, and then press continue.
14. Take a photo of your ID using your phone and following the instructions on the screen.
15. Next you will be asked to scan your face using your phone camera. Again, follow the instructions on the screen to allow the face scan.
16. All being well, you will receive an email within the next two hours, to say that your identity has been confirmed.
17. When you next log in to the app, the final step is to connect your NHS account to the GP practice. Press on the link to do this, and you should then be able to access your NHS account. This will enable you to make appointments with the practice staff and order repeat prescriptions.

Or alternatively please see the You Tube link below:

How to register with the NHS app – YouTube

The NHS wants to give people better ways to see their personal health information online. We know that people want to be able to access their health records. It can help you see test results faster. It also lets you read and review notes from your appointments in your own time.

From 1/11/23 we will be letting you see all the information within your health record automatically. If you are over 16 and have an online account, such as through the NHS App,  System One online and The Airmid App you will now be able to see all future notes and health records. Some people can already access this feature, this won’t change for you.

This means that you will be able to see notes from your appointments, as well as test results and any letters that are saved on your records. This only applies to records from your doctor (GP), not from hospitals or other specialists. You will only be able to see information from 1/11/2023. For most people, access will be automatic, and you won’t need to do anything. For a few patients we may need to talk to you before your full records access is given, to make sure that having access is of benefit to you. If you have the NHS App or applied for access through the NHS website but still can’t see your records after 1/11/2023 and would like access, then please contact the surgery.

Your doctor (GP) may talk to you to discuss test results or letters before you are able to see some of your information on the app or website. There might be some sensitive information on your record, so you should talk to your doctor if you have any concerns.

These changes only apply to people with online accounts. If you do not want an online account, you can still access your health records by requesting this information through reception. The changes also only apply to personal information about you.

If you are a carer and would like to see information about someone you care for, speak to reception staff.

The NHS App, website and other online services are all very secure, so no one is able to access your information except you. You’ll need to make sure you protect your login details. Don’t share your password with anyone as they will then have access to your personal information.

If you do not want to see your health record, or if you would like more information about these changes, please speak to your GP or reception staff.

 

 

Greystoke Surgery implemented a new system in May 2023 for getting an appointment at the practice as we were aware of difficulties and possible inequalities for some patients with the  previous system of telephoning and needing to be seen on the same day. The demand was such that when patients were calling, they were very quickly being told that the surgery had had to go to ‘urgents only’ for that day and to call back the next morning.

The new system requires a patient to complete a simple online form (this is done by receptionists for those patients who have no online access or not able to complete it themselves). The form is reviewed by a GP and the appropriate appointment given. This may be a telephone call or face to face slot either that day if urgent, or in a few days or weeks if can wait, to help those who can’t always make a same day appointment at short notice.

Please find below, patient survey results:

Report Greystoke Patient Survey – Appointments RESULTS

 

Flu vaccinations – Be wise, immunise!

• The flu nasal spray vaccine is free for children aged 2-3 years, those in primary schools and in secondary schools up to year 11.
• It is also free for children and young people who have a medical condition from the age of six months.
• Most children aged 2-3 (on 31 August 2023) will be given the flu vaccination at their GP surgery. We are asking parents of children if they have not heard from their practice by the middle of October, to get in touch to arrange an appointment for your child’s flu vaccination.
• If parents also have children of primary or secondary school age, up to year 11, they will receive information from the School Age Immunisation Service asking them to give their consent so their child can have their free vaccination at school.

Further information is available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/child-flu-vaccine/