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.

 

It has been announced that clinically extremely vulnerable (CEV) people will no longer need to shield from 1st April 2021.

 

 

 

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

 

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NHS Blood and Transplant are asking 18-65 males who've had COVID to donate plasma for new treatment research that could save lives 

 

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.

 

Flu Vaccine Please book at for a flu jab if you are eligible.  Everyone aged 50 or older can have a flu jab. Also people of any age who have certain chronic condition such as diabetes, asthma, chronic obstructive airways disease heart disease etc. Children aged 2-4 years are also eligible but this is a nasal spray rather than a needle. people who are very overweight are also eligible. Telephone System The telephone system has recently been changed.  We are now recording telephone calls for training and quality purposes.  There are 5 options on the telephone system - these have changed to make the telephone system easier to use - please listen carefully to the options available.  Thank you.  Please click here for our privacy notice.   CQC inspection We have recently been inspected by the CQC and rated GOOD in all areas MDT meetings - information sharing We are participating in a local MDT (multidisciplinary team) with other practices and health care organisations in the DGS CCG locality to help improve the care particularly of patients with multiple chronic conditions. In order to work safely and professionally we need to share relevant parts of your medical record at these meetings. These are subect to a confidentially agreement. Please click here for more information. Carers Are you a carer? Please let us know, either email us or complete a form at Reception when you visit the practice.  We will add you to our carer's register and put you in touch with local services which you may find of use. Direct access counselling Feeling low, anxious or stressed? There is now a free direct access counselling service run by Insight. Click here for more details and self-referral form. Controlled drugs In line with recent national guidance we are no longer able to process requests for Schedule 2 and 3 controlled drugs as repeat prescriptions. This includes drugs such as Tramadol and ADHD medications. Please could you request these drugs monthly as non-repeat drugs which means your request will be reviewed by a doctor before issuing the prescription. GDPR We have have always taken very seriously our responsibilities for confidentiality and security of your records. The new GDPR legislation which comes into force on 25th May 2018 further strengthens the law in this area. There are two new leaflets for basic information: GDPR patient information, and How we use your records. For more information and to see our 4 privacy notices please see the Policies and information section of this website.   Repeat prescription reordering service Repeat prescription requests are processed by the NHS Prescription Ordering Direct Service and the practice will no longer take requests for repeat prescriptions from your pharmacy. You will need to phone the POD service on 01474 555800  to order your medicines instead of phoning or visiting your pharmacy to make an order. The POD will arrange for your prescription to be sent electronically to a pharmacy of your choice and dispensed as normal.  For your information, their busiest period tends to be on Monday & Tuesday with call volumes reduced significantly from Wednesday onwards.  Please bear this in mind when placing orders for your medication.   Patient Services Online The Oaks Partnership would like to encourage our patients to sign up to our new online services for access to appointments online and even ordering repeat medication.  Signing up to our online services, provided by Patient Access, will give patients more choice and flexibility in how they access the practice and allow patient access to services even when we are closed. Please download a registration form or collect one from reception. You will need to provide proof of address and ID.  Repeat prescription ordering will shortly be through Patient Access. You can continue to use the Prescription request form on this website for non-repeat items but will need to provide additional information for each drug requested.  We do not currently offer online registrations for under 16 year olds.  It is also possible to view a summary of your records if you choose to enable this on registration. You can view allergy and prescription records, your test results and medical history with appropriate consent.   Friends and family test results for February 2021 125  Very Good 17   Good 2     Neither Good or Poor 0     Poor 0     Very Poor 0     Don't know We would like to contact you! We are hoping to use texts and emails increasingly to contact you instead of letters. Please could you ensure we have your current contact details. If you do not want us to contact you in this way please let us know and we will amend your record appropriately.   Minor surgery Funding has recently been withdrawn for GP minor surgery cosmetic procedures such as removal of moles where there is no suspicion of cancer. Regrettably this will greatly curtail the service we have been providing. We can still remove lesions where there is repeated infection or bleeding and we would still encourage you to see us if there has been any change in an existing mole Click here for more news..