Do you take Gabapentin or Pregabalin?
These medications are now controlled drugs.
Click here for important information about changes to the way this medication is prescribed.
Classes for Osteoarthritis sufferers
Please click here for further information
Receiving secure encrypted emails from the Practice
If the Practice corresponds with you individually via email, and where those emails contain details of your health care, we will send an encrypted email to you to make sure that the contents of the email are secure.
Please click on the link for a guide to encrypted emails and how to open them;
Guide to accessing encrypted emails
IMPROVED ACCESS - EVENING & WEEKEND APPOINTMENTS
Please click on the link below for information about the Improved Access service for evening and weekend appointments.
Improved Access
Click here to see information about your privacy and how your medical information is shared when you book an Improved Access appointment.
LETTER TO PATIENTS
Click on the link below to see a letter from Dr Haugh to all Brunel patients.
Letter to patients 16th November 2018
NEWSPAPER ARTICLE ABOUT GP SHORTAGES - DECEMBER 2018
Click on the link below to see an article from The Times on 7th December 2018 about the shortage of GPs and its impact on appointment waiting times.
Times article Dec 2018
FLU VACCINATIONS
ELIGIBILITY
You are eligible for a flu jab if you are...
- Over 65
- Have a chronic condition (including asthma, diabetes, COPD, heart disease, kidney disease)
- A care or a health care worker
- Immunosuppressed
- Pregnant
Flu clinics at Brunel have now finished. If you have not yet had your flu jab then please contact the surgery to book an appointment.
HOUSEBOUND PATIENTS
Housebound patients will be given flu vaccinations at home.
PRESCRIPTIONS - IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR PATIENTS
From Tuesday 1st January 2019 you will need to allow 72 working hours (3 working days) for the practice to generate your prescription, following a prescription request.
This is a change from the current 48 working hour (2 working day) practice service level.
- Prescription requests received on Monday (including over a weekend or Bank Holiday) - prescription will be ready for collection on Thursday of the same week after 3pm
- Prescription requests received on Tuesday - prescription will be ready for collection on Friday of the same week after 3pm
- Prescription requests received on Wednesday - prescription will be ready for collection on Monday of the following week after 3pm
- Prescription requests received on Thursday - prescription will be ready for collection on Tuesday of the following week after 3pm
- Prescription requests received on Friday - prescription will be ready for collection on Wednesday of the following week after 3pm
If you have nominated a pharmacy to collect your prescriptions on your behalf, please allow your pharmacy a further 48 working hours (two working days) to order and dispense your prescription.
Collecting prescriptions for controlled drugs if you have not nominated a pharmacy
Please note that if you have not nominated a pharmacy to collect your prescriptions, and if you require prescriptions for controlled drugs (such as strong painkillers) you will only be able to collect printed prescriptions for controlled drugs from our St Marychurch surgery. Prescriptions for non-controlled drugs may be collected from any of the three surgeries.
Nominating a friend or relative to collect prescriptions on your behalf
If you do not wish to nominate a pharmacy, then please print and complete an authorisation letter. This will allow a nominated person of your choice to collect your prescriptions on your behalf. We would suggest completing this form even if you currently collect your own prescriptions, in case there should ever be an instance where you cannot do so in person. Please return the signed, completed form to the practice and hand a copy to your nominated person.
October 2018 - Improved Access for patients
Evening and weekend GP appointments are now available in this area.
One practice is open each evening and during weekends for GP, Nurse and Health Care Assistant appointments.
You may be able to book an appointment at Brunel, or with a clinician at a different practice.
To read more about Improved Access click here.
To access these appointments, please call the appointments line on 01803 312233
To read the Improved Access privacy notice and the way that your data is shared with other surgeries when you book an Improved Access appointment please click on the link below;
Improved Access Privacy Notice
With effect from 1st September 2018 Babbacombe surgery will close each Wednesday from 1.00pm - 2.00pm.
In addition, on the last Wednesday of the month (see dates below), the closure will be extended to 12.15pm - 2.00pm;
- Wednesday 30th January 2019
- Wednesday 27th February 2019
- Wednesday 27th March 2019
During the closures all calls will be answered as normal by practice staff.
These closures are to allow time for staff training.
Our apologies for any inconvenience caused.
COLLECTING CONTROLLED DRUG PRESCRIPTIONS FROM THE SURGERY
Starting with immediate effect, when collecting a prescription which includes controlled medication the person collecting the prescription will be required to provide photographic ID before the prescription is released by the practice.
If you have nominated another person to collect your controlled-drug prescription on your behalf, then please make sure that the person collecting has photo-ID to present to the surgery.
Acceptable photo-ID includes;
- Passport
- Driving licence
- Bus pass
- Citizens ID
- Student ID
If you or the person collecting your controlled-drug prescriptions cannot provide the necessary ID, then please contact the surgery to nominate a pharmacy who will collect your prescription on your behalf.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE REQUIREMENT FOR ID ONLY APPLIES IF YOUR PRESCRIPTION INCLUDES CONTROLLED DRUGS
LATEST PRACTICE NEWSLETTER
Click here to see the latest newsletter giving details about new staff at the practice, online services and new data protection regulations.
BREAST SCREENING ALERT HELPLINE
Patients seeking further information regarding the Breast Screening Alert on 2nd May are advised to call the dedicated helpline on 0800 169 2692.
NHS HEALTH CHECKS
Five-yearly NHS Health Checks are available for 40-74 year old patients.
Please note that these checks are not available for patients who have not been previously diagnosed with diabetes, hypertension, stroke, atrial fibrillation and chronic kidney disease.
Please phone the surgery to book a twenty minute appointment with a Health Care Assistant - there is no need to wait for an invitation to attend.
Your NHS Health Check will include a blood test, urine test and healthy lifestyle advice. When you arrive at the surgery for your appointment please use the Health pod in the waiting room to record your height, weight and blood pressure.
For more information about NHS Health Checks, please click here
eCONSULT IS NOW AVAILABLE ON THIS WEBSITE...
This service allows you to;
...get information and advice about a range of health problems online
...find out about the most appropriate source of help and guidance for you
...communicate with your GP online
...send a query to your GP and practice staff without using the phone or coming in for a face-to-face consultation
You can send a query to your GP, and will receive an answer from the practice within 24 working hours.
You don't have to present ID to the surgery, or sign-up and register for this service in order to use it.
See posters and information in all the surgeries for further information, or watch a video by clicking here
Please note that if we receive an eConsult from you, we will update your records with the email address supplied and may use it to send you information about the practice.
NHSquicker - HELPING YOU TO ACCESS URGENT CARE
NHSquicker gives you live waiting and travel times for NHS urgent care in this region. It provides information about the healthcare services available to you based on your location, helping you to choose the right service and spend less time waiting.
The combined waiting and travel times estimate how long it will take you to be seen by each service. Our emergency departments are busy and often - for a minor injury - you could be seen quicker elsewhere.
Always remember to dial 999 in the event of a life-threatening emergency.
To find out more about NHSquicker and download the app, please click here
ONLINE SERVICE - PATIENT ACCESS
Patient Access is an on-line service that allows patients to;
book and cancel GP and blood test appointments
order repeat prescriptions
view selected medical records
send secure messages to the practice
PLEASE NOTE THAT ONLINE SERVICES ARE NOT AVAILABLE FOR PATIENTS UNDER THE AGE OF 16
REGISTERING FOR PATIENT ACCESS
To register for Patient Access, please visit the surgery, bringing identification documents with you. Ideally this should be;
- two forms of photo-ID, OR...
- one form of photo-ID + a bank statement
Photo-ID can include a photographic driving licence, passport, bus-pass or student ID card.
Any bank statement presented will only be used to cross-check address details and will never be copied.
ID verification requirements are stringent because Patient Access allows the user to see some parts of your medical record.
Once your ID has been checked a registration form will be printed for you containing your User ID and password - this information can then be used to set up your Patient Access account.
PATIENTS WITHOUT PHOTO-ID
If you cannot present ID, but would like to use Patient Access, please tell us and we will ask your GP to vouch for your identity.
PATIENTS WHO CANNOT VISIT THE SURGERY
If you are housebound but would like to use Patient Access, please tell us and we will ask your GP to vouch for your identity.
PATIENT ACCESS TRAINING
Free training is available for patients who would like to use Patient Access but would like a little extra help. This training is available from Healthwatch Torbay. You can contact Healthwatch in the following ways;
Freephone: 08000 520 029
Website: www.healthwatchtorbay.org.uk
Email: info@healthwatchtorbay.org.uk
Freepost: RTCG-TRXX-ZZKJ, Healthwatch Torbay, Paignton Library, Great Western Road, Paignton TQ4 5AG
TEST FOR PROSTATE CANCER
Following articles in the media and on television, please click on the link below to read more about prostate cancer testing and all the latest guidance;
Information about testing for prostate cancer
NHS PRESCRIPTION CHARGE INCREASE
From 1st April 2018 NHS prescription charges will be increasing.
Please click here for details.
PHLEBOTOMY APPOINTMENTS ON PATIENT ACCESS
From 1st March patients who have been asked to have a blood test by their GP will be able to book blood test (phlebotomy) appointments online via the Patient Access service.
As well as blood tests requested by a GP this will also include regular blood tests for medication monitoring, INR finger-prick tests and blood tests preceding your annual health check.
Patient Access is an easy-to-use online service which enables patients to book appointments and request repeat prescriptions online.
If you would like to sign up for Patient Access simply bring two forms of photo-ID to the surgery (or one form of photo-ID plus a bank statement) and reception staff will register you for the service.
Blood test appointments will be available on the Patient Access website soon!
Click here to see more details about Patient Access
BABY & CHILD IMMUNISATIONS
The World Health Organisation has issued up to date guidance on the consequences of choosing not to vaccinate your baby/child.
When making a decision about immunisation of your child, please ensure the decision you make is an informed one! Please read the information provided and or talk to a qualified health professional.
Click here to see the latest information from the WHO
BRUNEL MEDICAL PRACTICE
Shingles vaccination
The national shingles immunisation programme is currently available to people who were born between the following dates
02/09/1942 - 01/09/1947
02/09/1937 - 01/09/1939
Once you reach 80 years old you are no longer eligible for the vaccination. If you would like to have then shingles vaccination and you are eligible, please book an appointment with a practice nurse.
MENACWY vaccination
New cohort of year 13 students are now eligible for the MENACWY vaccination. This vaccine is available up until the age of 25.
GP Appointments
Dear Patients
We are currently experiencing a shortage of on-the-day GP appointments due to a combination of greatly increased and unprecedented demand for services and GP absence.
If the appointment that you request is not immediately available for you, please understand that this is not the fault of our reception staff. We respectfully request that reception staff are treated with courtesy at all times.
Please note that we operate a zero-tolerance policy towards abuse of our staff.
If you need urgent medical attention, then you will be offered a telephone call-back from a GP. The GP will assess your problem during the call. The Doctor will offer advice and, if appropriate, generate a prescription for you. If you need to be seen by a Doctor, the GP will invite you to attend a mutually convenient appointment.
Please note that GP's have access to appointments that are not available for booking by reception staff, just for this purpose.
PLEASE TREAT OUR RECEPTION STAFF WITH COURTESY AT ALL TIMES. THEY ARE DOING THEIR VERY BEST TO HELP YOU ACCESS THE SERVICES YOU NEED.
Thank you for your support.
From all of the Doctors and staff at Brunel Medical Practice.
FEDERATING WITH LOCAL PRACTICES
Following recent meetings, Brunel Medical Practice, Chilcote Surgery, Parkhill Medical Practice and Southover Medical Practice will begin to work collaboratively in a federated model which will be known as Riviera Health Care.
Rivera Health Care would like to take this opportunity to formally announce to our practice colleagues in the South Devon and Torbay CCG footprint, the CCG and NHSE our aim to embrace a new model of working, with a view to ensuring sustainability now and in the future.
The pace of change we find ourselves now working within is fast, relentless and unprecedented. As a result practices can no longer work in isolation without the support that a federated model can offer.
Riviera Health Care intends to initially work on one or two smaller projects with an aim to get used to new closer working relationships and embedding those changes before tackling larger and more labour intensive work streams.
We have agreed to start our journey with identifying any synergies where we may be able to utilise resources more effectively.
Riviera Health Care aims are simple; Closer Smarter Working
INFORMATION ABOUT REPEAT PRESCRIPTIONS
Information about Managed Repeats
Pharmacy Letter to Patients
NAMED ACCOUNTABLE GP
From 1st April 2015 all Brunel patients, including children, have a Named Accountable GP responsible for their care at the surgery. This does not change which doctor you can see.
If you would like to know who your GP is, please ask at reception.