N E W S L E T T E R

Hello And Welcome To Issue 3 Of Adur Health Partnership And Patient

ENGAGEMENT GROUP'S NEWSLETTER

We are often asked whether there really is a need for a newsletter - we all have so many demands on our time and so many other distractions, do we really need something else to read? Well, the short answer seems to be that this newsletter can play a really important role in improving communication between patients and medical staff and, significantly, answering some of the fundamental questions raised by our patients. In this issue, following feedback from the Patient Engagement Group, we have provided a comprehensive response to that most important of all questions - How can I arrange to see my doctor? We hope that in this newsletter we have comprehensively answered this question. However, we also welcome your comments and feedback; there are forms available in reception or via our website – do please have your say, we are always pleased to hear from our patients and will always do our best to take note of all the feedback we receive

Your

AHP and Patient Engagement Group

The Patient Engagement Group (PEG) is an informal group of patients across the four Adur Health Partnership surgeries. We meet, together with health colleagues, every month at the Shoreham Centre in Pond Road. We celebrate things that go well and we work together to make your views count in the running of the surgeries We make sure that you are informed, consulted and listened to. All are welcome at our meetings. For further details please contact Petra Butler, Patient Experience Manager, by email: sxicb-wsx ahp peg@nhs net or visit AHP website for more information and the dates of our meetings

Northbourne Medical Centre And

Open Monday to Friday, 8.00 am to 6.30 pm

Telephone number 01273 464640

Manor Practice

Open Monday to Friday, 8.00 am to 6.30pm

Telephone number 01273 596077

Please note that the telephone lines both at Northbourne and Manor are closed between 1 pm and 2 pm.

Q: When is the best time to call to book a GP appointment?

A: For ‘urgent on the day’ appointments, please call the surgery as early as you can. The telephone lines are open from 8 00 am

For ‘routine or pre-bookable routine’ appointments, please call the surgery later in the morning or in the afternoon. You will be offered the most suitable appointment (telephone consultation, face to face appointment or a video consultation via Push Doctor) or asked to use other services which may be more appropriate - like Pharmacies, Urgent Treatment Centres or A&E.

Q: Can a GP appointment be booked in person?

A: Yes, it can. However, before you come to the surgery, we would like to encourage you to telephone us first, as sometimes there might be another service more appropriate for your condition. Our team will be able to advise you on this

Q: Is there any other option?

A: Yes, there is Appointments can be requested by filling in an eConsult on our Website The eConsult is open Monday to Friday from 7 00 am to 12 00 pm (Noon) More information on eConsult can be found in the article overleaf

Shoreham Health Centre

Open Monday to Friday, 8.00 am to 6.30 pm

Telephone number 01273 466052

Please note that the telephone lines are closed between 12 45 pm and 2 pm

Q: When is the best time to call to book a GP appointment?

A: Anytime during Shoreham Health Centre opening times due to the GP led triage appointment system. This applies to all appointments – on the day, urgent and routine. Everyone wishing to book a GP appointment is asked a series of questions by the Reception team, which are immediately reviewed by the triage GP. Based on the answers given, the GP will advise what type of appointment is needed, with whom and when, or whether there may be another possible intervention which might be more appropriate – like Push Doctor (video call consultation), Pharmacies, Urgent Treatment Centres or A&E. GP led triage will be rolled out to other AHP sites in the near future.

Q: Can a GP appointment be booked in person?

A: Yes. You can come to the surgery to book the appointment. Our Reception team will ask you to fill in a GP led triage form, which will be triaged by the GP and the most suitable appointment will be offered or other services suggested.

Q: Is there any other option?

A: Yes, there is. Appointments can be requested by filling in an eConsult on our Website. The eConsult is open Monday to Friday from 7 00 am to 12 00 pm (Noon) More information on eConsult can be found in the article below.

Downsway Surgery

Open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 8.00 am to 12.30 pm and 2 pm to 6.30 pm

Wednesday 8.30 to 12.30 pm

Telephone number 01273 592764

Please note that the telephone lines are closed between 12 45 pm and 2 pm

Q: When is the best time to call to book a GP appointment?

A: All calls to Downsway Surgery are diverted to Shoreham Health Centre and requests for a GP appointment will follow the GP led triage system

Q: Can a GP appointment be booked in person?

A: Yes. You can come to the surgery to book the appointment Our Reception team will ask you to fill in a GP led triage form, which will be added to your medical records. It will be forwarded to the triage GP at Shoreham Health Centre for a review, who will suggest the best type of appointment for you Please note that it might be easier and more convenient for Dowsnway patients to book the appointment by a telephone call rather than in person

Q: Is there any other option?

A: Yes, there is. Appointments can be requested by filling in an eConsult on our Website The eConsult is open Monday to Friday from 7.00 am to 12.00 pm (Noon). More information on eConsult can be found in the article below

Home visit request - ALL AHP SITES - our GPs carry out home visits during the middle of day Therefore for any urgent/same day home visit requests, please contact your surgery before 12.00 pm (Noon).

Please avoid contacting your surgery for routine/general enquiries on Monday mornings or the day after Bank Holidays as is it usually a very busy day This will allow the Practice to prioritise patients with urgent medical needs Thank you

Econsult

eConsult is an online medical form which enables patients (their carers or parents) to submit their symptoms and also to request administrative help from the surgery electronically The eConsult is accessible on our website Monday to Friday 7 am to 12 pm (Noon) It usually takes up to 48 hours (excluding Saturday and Sunday) for the submitted eConsults to be triaged. Based on your request you will be contacted by your surgery usually by a telephone or a text message. https://www.adurhealthpartnership.co.uk/e-consult/

What can you submit or request via AHP eConsult:

- Adult Health Problems and Child Health Problems

- Sick notes, test results, administrative help

- Review for long term conditions, medication review and contraception review

Please note: eConsult is not suitable if you want to contact the surgery with regards to an urgent or life threatening condition Please either call your surgery, NHS 111 or in emergencies, please dial 999