Welcome to the website for

The Oaks Surgery

The Oaks Partnership is open, but in the light of the current Coronavirus pandemic we have changed the way we manage our work in order to minimise the risks to our patients and staff.  Please do contact the surgery by telephone for medical care; we are providing a telephone / video triage service for patients in the first instance; if the clinician feels it appropriate patients will be invited in for a face to face consultation, provided they are free of COVID-19 symptoms.  Most of our appointments are now book on the day and can be booked in the morning from 8am and in the afternoon from 2pm.  Nursing appointments, routine immunisation clinics, diabetic reviews and other clinics continue face to face and are bookable in advance.

We were told last week that ANPR Cameras were to be fitted in the private CCP Car Park outsdie the practice on Monday 15^th February.  Please ensure that you pay to park to avoid any fines and take note of the notices displayed by CCP Car Parks.

The Oaks Partnership are not liable for any fines that may be imposed by CCP as a result of not paying for parking.

If you need medical help you should still contact your GP Practice by telephone, or if we are not available use NHS 111 Online or Call 111.  If you are told to go to hospital it is important that you go to hospital. 

All patients needing a GP appointment are asked to telephone the surgery or use our new eConsult service to arrange a telephone appointment.  Patients using eConsult will find that their requests are forwarded to the GP practice where appropriate.  They will then be contacted by a member of the medical team.  If appropriate, necessary and safe to do so, they may be offered an appointment to be seen face to face by a clinician at the Surgery. 

Information on the COVID-19 Vaccine

 eConsult is a market leader in online services provision for paitents and can be accessed below or via the NHS App if you are registered to use it via the "Ask your GP for advice" section.

Our Patient Voice Virtual Health Event was delivered via Zoom on 12th November. 

A recording of it will be available soon.

WE ARE IN A NATIONAL LOCKDOWN

STAY AT HOME GUIDANCE

It is essential that everyone acts to stop the spread of the virus. Wash your hands, cover your face, make space. These are the three most effective ways we can all control the spread of the virus.

Remember if you have any coronavirus symptoms; high temperature, a new continuous cough, or a loss or change in your sense of taste or smell, get a free test by calling 119 or book online.

Together, we will control the virus and stop the spread.  Don’t forget, Hands, Face, Space.

Full details of all the requirements for Tier 4 are available here.

Please download our Patient Leaflet for up to date news on The Oaks Partnership

ADVICE TO HELP PROTECT YOUR HOME FROM COVID-19

Travel Advice for Passengers

For information on rules regarding face coverings
Everyone is required to wear a face covering when entering a shop or business; whlst travelling on public transport and when visiting a healthcare setting.  If you feel you are unable to wear a mask for auditory/sensory/breathing reasons, please visit the link above for government advice on those eligible for exemption and how to download an exemption certificate.  Please note, it is NOT the responsibility or the role of the Surgery to issue anyone with an exemption letter or certificate.  The Oaks will not be issuing these, along with other local practices.

Recognising Heart Attacks, Strokes and Heart Failure during the Coronavirus pandemic and beyond

FLU CLINICS 2020/2021

If you usually receive the flu vaccine, you will have been contacted by the practice over the past few weeks.  Please contact the surgery to book your appointment if you are in an at-risk group and usually receive it.

Flu vaccines for people aged 50 to 64

If you are aged between 50 and 64 you will may now book to receive your free flu vaccine from the practice.  We have just completed our last Saturday flu clinic for patients in this age range (Saturday 16th January, 2021) although patients may still book appointments during the week when we have availability.

Visit nhs.uk/flujab to find out more.

Latest health guidance regarding Coronavirus (COVID-19)

• Check if you or your child has symptoms
  Find out about the main symptoms of coronavirus and what to do if you have them.

• Self-isolation and treatment if you have symptom
  Advice about staying at home (self-isolation) and treatment for you and anyone you live with.

• Testing and tracing
  Information about testing for coronavirus and what to do if you have been contacted by the NHS Test and Trace service.  If you have been tested for Coronavirus (COVID-19), your testing centre is responsible for issuing your results and any subsequent action to you directly.  

Download the NHS COVID 19 APP from the APP Store or Google Play

• People at higher risk and those now asked to shield again following the latest lockdown advice
  Advice for people at higher risk from coronavirus, including older people, people with health conditions and pregnant women.  The DGS community navigation service provides information , advice and guidance, support with accessing a wide range of services, community equipment, telecare, benefits advice, form filling and social contact. This includes raising patient awareness of coronavirus official guidance and support available, and  provision of  weekly check-in calls for older clients or those who live alone, have ongoing mental health issues or are highly vulnerable.  Services are currently virtual, except when a patient is in urgent need of support that cannot be provided by other means. In this situation, a face-to-face appointment will be provided, with the necessary safety measures in place.  This includes any patient who has been advised to shield and who may, therefore, be in need of additional support.  Patients and carers can self- refer via www.Imago.community or call  03000 111 965 to speak to the Community Navigation Centre.

• Social distancing advice and changes to everyday life
  Advice about avoiding close contact with other people (social distancing), looking after your wellbeing and using the NHS and other services.

• Links to more information about coronavirus
  Links to government advice, information for health professionals and advice for other parts of the UK.

For further information go to nhs.uk/coronavirus or gov.uk/coronavirus.

Advice accurate as of 13:00 03/06/2020.

 If you have Coronavirus symptoms, such as:

• a high temperature – this means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)
• a new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual)
• a loss of taste or smell

STAY AT HOME

Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital.

 If you become breathless, or are you more breathless than usual it is essential you seek medical help on the telephone from your GP or if we are closed from NHS111.

For vulnerable patients who may require help with shopping or prescriptions, we can help put you in contact with Volunteer Responders that be able to help with shopping or collecting prescriptions.  Alternatively, patients may self refer online or by telephoning 0808 196 3382.  Swanley Council are also offering a telephone number for vulnerable people to contact who may need help, cannot leave the house and do not have support in place - please call 01322 665855

Sickness/MED3 certificates for patients self-isolating

Practices are being inundated with requests for Med 3 certificates from patients that are self-isolating due to Covid 19. We have been advised that patients should contact NHS 111 Online and follow the instructions to obtain a self-isolation notice which can be given to employers.

Visit NHS 111 Online or call NHS 111 for further advice; follow the guidance from the NHS and Public Health England and information on what you need to know.

Other useful information in relation to COVID-19/Coronavirus

Useful activities and links whilst staying at home

Useful digital resources for Public Health in Kent

• One You Kent:   information and guidance for healthy lifestyle choices, with a selection of free Apps and support offered via telephone;
• Live Well Kent:  online & telephone mental and physical health support service;
• Your Sexual Health Matters:   sexual health information, access to condoms and STI online testing; other useful information on where to get help during COVID-19.
• Health Visiting Service - contacts for Kent Health Visitors.
• VitaMinds is your local NHS talking therapies service, known as IAPT (Improving Access to Psychological Therapies). It is a free service.  We all experience times when we feel like we can’t cope, sometimes this can start to affect our everyday lives and prevent us from doing the things we normally do. VitaMinds can help. If you are over 17 and a half and live in Dartford, Gravesham, Swanley and Swale they can support you and provide you with the tools you need to get things back on track.  Please call on 0333 0153 495 or you can self-refer online.  One of the therapists will take the time to talk with you about what’s concerning you and provide you with the best options and next steps that can help.  The initial appointments will be offered by telephone.
• Supporting children and young people’s mental health during the Covid-19 pandemic
• For people of all ages needing immediate mental health support, just text the word “Kent” or “Medway” to 85258. This is a new 24/7 text service provided by SHOUT and the Crisis Text Line as part of the Kent and Medway Release the Pressure campaign.

A guide to your local services provided by Sevenoaks District Council, Version 36, July 2020 

Are you a carer?  Go to our carers page for further information. Help to Care, an innovative new mobile phone app, has been launched to support people who care for others in Kent and Medway.

#kenttogether 

A 24 hour helpline, called Kent Together, has been set up to support vulnerable people in the county who need urgent help, or supplies. Kent County Council is working with all of the local authorities, fire, health and police services to organise help and assistance for the communities and vulnerable people across Kent. If you are vulnerable and have an urgent non-medical need, you can fill in a form at www.kent.gov.uk/KentTogether or call 03000 41 92 92 to request support. It is a 24 hour service.

Please go do https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/find-a-pharmacy/ for local Kent pharmacy opening hours.