Making online consultation easier. 23rd July 2022

Medicine, Patient information

Though many have been satisfied with “econsultation”, we have had feedback from some that the number of questions is laborious. We have changed to a new service, accurx. Although there are fewer questions, please do give us as much information as possible so we can prioritise and direct to the right person to help. Not everything needs a doctor’s appointment. About a third of our enquiries are related to certificates, letters, results, medication. If it is an admin query such as these, please make this clear. We also want to avoid duplication, so if you have written in, please allow us to respond before telephoning. We hope you will be happy with the new service

We are continuing to experiencing very high volumes of enquiries (from patients online, in person, by phone, as well as 111, other medical services and allied professions). Sorry we cannot resolve all queries within 48h. We are often working late into the evening and at weekends. As well as consultations, we are dealing with hospital letters, results, and chronic disease management. You will get a text reminder 24h before your appointment or time your online enquiry will be reviewed.

We have good availability for nurse appointments for smears, blood pressure, contraception and specific long term conditions. We also have HCA appointments for blood tests (though this is likely to require prior discussion with other clinician). We have pharmacists who can discuss your medication queries. We have a pod in the waiting room where you can check your blood pressure or weight. You can book these options through reception.

Update 9.4.22

Medicine, Patient information

Dear registered patients: due to very high volumes of enquiries, we cannot resolve all within 48h, but we will endeavour to notify you of plan (eg follow up with the doctor you were previously dealing with). We had 1973 econsults submitted in March, and over a 5 week period approximately 4200 econsult reviews/ phone consultations/ patients seen in person. This has meant we are often working late into the evening and at weekends. As well as consultations, we are dealing with hospital letters, results, and chronic disease management. You will get a text reminder 24h before your appointment or time your econsult will be reviewed.

We have good availability for nurse appointments for smears, blood pressure, contraception and specific long term conditions. We also have HCA appointments for blood tests (though this is likely to require prior discussion with other clinician). We have pharmacists who can discuss your medication queries. We have a pod in the waiting room where you can check your blood pressure or weight. You can book these options through reception.

Staff unwell with coronavirus

Medicine

23.12.21
Several staff members (doctors, nurses and other staff) have had to self isolate as they are unwell. We are open as usual , but running with significantly fewer staff. Please bear this in mind when contacting us. Econsult will not be available over weekends and bank holidays.
Coronavirus vaccines, including booster doses and age 12+. are available on bookable and walk in basis over Christmas period. Further info and times here

What will change on 19th July?

COVID-19, Online services

We have been seeing patients face to face where needed throughout the pandemic. This is a through a “digital first” service. Please consult with us online (via our website or econsult )or by phone if you cannot. Phone lines are busy, so we prefer to reserve these for urgent problems , elderly and vulnerable patients. The best way of booking ahead with a doctor who knows you is to submit an econsult. Please indicate on your econsult whether you prefer consultation by phone, by video, in person, or a particular action such as a referral. Please also indicate if this is a follow up enquiry, and to which GP or other member of staff you wish to direct your question. Covid case rates remain high in London; we are continuing to wear masks and follow infection control measures ourselves, and ask that you wear a mask or face covering when in the practice, unless you are exempt.

Ramadan and the COVID-19 vaccine

COVID-19, Ramadan

Ramadan is due to start on the evening of Monday 12 April 2021 and we urge our Muslim patients not to delay having their COVID-19 vaccine – first or second dose – during the holy month.

The British Islamic Medical Association has reviewed the analysis of Islamic scholars and confirmed that having the vaccine does not invalidate the fast. The vaccine does not contain pork or other animal, foetal or alcohol products – this reflects the advice of the majority of Islamic scholars that it is permissible.? If you are still unsure whether you should have a vaccine during Ramadan, please speak to your local Imam for guidance.

If you are taking prescribed medicines, you should continue taking them during Ramadan, but check with your GP if the doses need to be adjusted or the times that you take them need to be changed.

If you have diabetes and want to fast, please speak to your GP or diabetes nurse about the safest way to do this. Remember that there is an exemption for people with diabetes, especially if you’re on insulin or have any medical complications.

https://www.eastlondonhcp.nhs.uk/ourplans/ramadan-and-the-vaccine.htm

NHS England: How information about you helps us to provide better care

Patient information, Privacy

HEALTHCARE DATA – We are informing our patients that NHS England is now asking for confidential information from your medical records to be used by the NHS to improve the services offered. This information along with your postcode and NHS number but not your name, is sent to a secure computer system where it can be linked to other health information.

You have a choice. If you are happy for your information to be used in this way, you do not have to do anything. If you have concerns or wish to prevent this from happening, please speak to our practice staff.

Introduction – Information about you and the care you receive is shared, in a secure system, by healthcare staff to support your treatment and care. It is important that the NHS, can use this information to plan and improve services for all patients.
NHS England would like to link information from all the different places where you receive care, such as your GP, hospital and community service, to provide a full picture. This will allow NHS England to compare the care you received in one area against the care you received in another, so that they can see what has worked best.

How your information is used and shared is controlled by law and strict rules are in place to protect your privacy. We need to make sure that you know this is happening and the choices you have.

Benefits of sharing information – Sharing information can help improve understanding, locally and nationally, of the most important health needs and the quality of the treatment and care provided by local health services. It may also help researchers by supporting studies that identify patterns in diseases, responses to different treatments and potential solutions.

What will NHS England do with the information? – NHS England will only use the minimum amount of information to help improve patient care and the services provided. NHS England have developed a thorough process that must be followed before any information can be shared. NHS England sometimes release information to approved researchers, if this is allowed under the strict rules in place to protect your privacy. NHS England are very careful with the information and follow strict rules about how it is stored and used. NHS England will make sure that the way information is used is in line with the law, national guidance and best practice. Reports that we publish will never identify a particular person.

Do I have a choice? – Yes. You have the right to prevent confidential information about you from being shared or used for any purpose other than providing your care, except in special circumstances. If you do not want information that identifies you to be shared outside your GP practice, you will need to let us know so that we can make a note of this in your medical record. This will prevent your confidential information being used other than where necessary by law, (for example, if there is a public health emergency). You will also be able to restrict the use of information held by other places you receive care, such as hospitals and community services. You should let your GP know if you want to restrict the use of this information. Your choice will not affect the care you receive.

Do I need to do anything? – If you are happy for your information to be shared you do not need to do anything. There is no form to fill in and nothing to sign and you can change your mind at any time. If you have concerns or are not happy for your information to be shared, speak to your GP.Where can I get more information? See the attached documents or go to www.nhs.uk/caredata or www.hscic.gov.uk

Self care

Patient information, Self care

Did you know that 10 of the most minor ailments seen by GPs can also be treated by you at home?

By treating yourself at home you could save a trip to the surgery and free up time for the GPs to see patients with more serious health problems.

Read about some of the most effective home treatments on the NHS Choices website for:

  • Back pain
  • Dermatitis
  • Heartburn and indigestion
  • Nasal congestion (blocked nose)
  • Constipation
  • Migraines
  • Coughs
  • Acne
  • Sprains and strains
  • Headaches

Visit the NHS website for more information

eConsult

Online services, Patient information

We are pleased to announce that our practice now offers the eConsult service to our patients! eConsult offers a whole range of information for common conditions, ailments and injuries; in addition to the facility to submit a consultation to a GP, or a query to the administration team.