We would like to say thank you to all our patients for your continuing support during these difficult times.
We want to reassure you that we are very much still open, and have been throughout the pandemic. We have all had to adapt to a new way of working and indeed living in order to keep our community as safe and healthy as possible.
We are experiencing a high number of calls, requests and queries, and so we may take a little longer to respond than usual. There may be longer waits to book appointments. Please look at our website for lots of self-care information and advice.
https://www.chillingtonsurgery.co.uk
Chillington Health Centre | Manage your health Medical Care when we are closed.
NON-EMERGENCY: Have a look at out “Get health information” page. Alternatively, call 111 for non-urgent medical advice.
MINOR INJURIES: We do not provide a minor injuries service.
www.chillingtonsurgery.co.uk
One of the major changes for all of us has been the national roll out of ‘triage first’ contact with GP practices. This means that there needs to be some information gathering before an appointment with a member of the practice is given – very different from how we used to work!
There are two major ways that we do this. Firstly using an online consultation method. For practices in Devon we have been asked to use eConsult, which you can access and see more information about on the front page of our website.
Although there are limitations with the eConsult model, it is a national program and therefore constantly being evaluated and tweaked. It will continually therefore adapt and improve. We understand that as a way of interacting with general practice it is here to stay! The pandemic has just massively fast forwarded its implementation nationally. Many Patients have told us it is more convenient for them as they have the flexibility to decide when to complete an eConsult and they have the opportunity to think and plan in advance as to what they need from us.
We have found it very useful as a practice, particularly in terms of gathering information in advance of a discussion, making far better use of any subsequent appointment time. From the information given, we are often able to efficiently signpost to other sources of help and support and use other members of the practice team where a GP or nurse appointment is not needed
The other triage first option is to talk to a trained receptionist. The receptionist will need to gather information in the same way, either by asking you to or helping you to complete an eConsult or by asking some questions.
During lockdown we have had to make significant changes to the Dispensary, and we continue to react and adapt to national and local needs. We are doing the best that we can do, and we thank everyone for their continuing forbearance.
We expect the next major event for us all will be how to deliver the Covid-19 mass vaccination programme. We expect to be notified at very short notice – it is a constantly and rapidly changing field. What we know so far though is, that at least initially, we are likely not to be able to use the flu clinic type model within the practice. This is because of the nature of the vaccine and the large numbers that need to be delivered, wastage needs to be minimised. We are likely to be working with other practices to deliver this mass vaccination across a large area at a location yet to be confirmed. When the time comes for patients to be vaccinated, they will be contacted, possibly by a national programme. Please keep an eye on the practice website for any updates on this.
If you change your mobile number or email address, please let reception know as soon as possible.
Thank you again for supporting us.
A big thank you also to all our volunteers, and also to everyone else helping out within our community.
