Holsworty & Hatherleigh

www.rubycountrymedicalgroup.co.uk

Holsworthy, Stratton & Hatherleigh

NEWSLETTER 7 2020

Your Doctors

HOLSWORTHY

t: 01409 253692

Dr. R. Wardle

Dr. Andy Brown

Dr. D. Stone

Dr. Alexandra Brown

Dr. S. Whitaker

Dr. T. Pestridge

Dr. A. Jones-Pahdi

Dr. M. D’Ambrogio

STRATTON

t:01288 352133

Dr. G. Green-Armytage

Dr. R. Shaw

Dr. C. Morwood

Dr. M. Higgs

Dr. V. D’Ambrogio

Dr. H Jones-Pahdi

HATHERLEIGH

t: 01409 253692

Dr. D. Lee

Dr. M. Eggleton

Managing Partner

Mrs J.Wells

OPENING TIMES

8:00 to 6pm

Monday to Friday

Improved Access

Thursday Evenings until 8pm

Alternative Saturday morn-ings

9am-12:30pm

Test and Trace Scams The NHS test and trace service is free of charge and ensures that anyone that develops

symptoms of Coronavirus (Covid-19) can be quickly tested to find out if they have the virus.

It will help trace close recent contacts of anyone who test positive for coronavirus and, if

necessary, notifies them that they must self-isolate at home to help stop the spread of the

virus.

So the NHS will get in touch with you if you have tested positive or you have been in con-

tact with a proven positive case.

If you have not taken a test recently and you are contact by someone telling you you’ve

tested positive, the call is not genuine. Hang up the phone or delete the text, it is a scam.

The NHS test and trace service will be using a single phone number: 0300 013 5000. If you

do not feel comfortable talking on the phone or you suspect the call could be a scam, you

can ask for an email or a text that will invite you to use the Test and Trace web site instead.

If the caller refuses to send you an email or text then it is a scam and you should hang up

the phone.

More information on this service can be found at:

www.gov.uk/guidance/nhs-test-and-trace-how-it-works

Some Changes to Long Term Conditions reviews.

Changes we've made to chronic disease reviews to maintain patients safety whilst monitor-ing long term conditions;

1. We will be texting and telephoning patients to invite them to book a telephone appoint-ment for their annual review.

2. We will be using Econsult and telephone patients for their Asthma Reviews.

3. We will ask for home BP reading and other measurements from home if possible.

4. If patients need a blood test for their annual review eg for Diabetes, CHD and hyperten-sion, they will be invited in to one appointment at the practice and will have a further ap-pointment over the telephone to discuss results and plan further care.

We need patients mobile number - can we ask patients to check we have the correct num-

ber and ask them to update.

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Telephone Triage System

The GPs have decided they will be keeping the telephone triage system for

all GP appointments for the time being to help with the management of

patients coming in to the surgery to help protect patients and staff.

Email: d-ccg.receptionrcmg@nhs.net

Join us on Facebook

Follow us on Twitter

Online consultations remain a safe and quick way to access GP services

GP patients in Devon have embraced online consultations in huge numbers during the Coronavirus pandemic.

Before the outbreak, around 80% of GP appointments were carried out face-to-face. This figure has been turned on its

head, with approximately 90% now conducted remotely. We’re very grateful to those who have helped ease the burden on

the practice during these difficult times.

But, as we start to emerge from the lockdown, the message is that online consultations remain a safe and convenient way

to access GP care.

If you aren’t familiar with online consultations, they are a quick and convenient alternative to visiting your GP surgery in

person.

You can use your smartphone, tablet or computer to:

Ask about a condition or new symptoms

Get information about your condition and how to treat yourself

Discuss a test result and request sick notes.

You’ll then get a response by the end of the next working day. This might be advice on what to do next through an electron-

ic message, telephone call or video call.

If you need to, you can continue to telephone the practice. But if it’s not urgent and you have access to the internet, we

recommend you continue to consult online to help free up the practice phone line. We now have the technology in place to

carry out video consultations too, and if a clinician determines you need to be seen face-to-face in the practice, you will

continue to be offered this.

As well as helping reduce the spread of coronavirus, consulting online also makes life easier. You can complete the form

wherever you are, 24-hours a day, and take as long as you want describing your symptoms. And, by avoiding unnecessary

trips to the surgery, you’ll also save time and won’t have to disrupt your day.

Virtual PPG groups During the summer of 2019 we launched our virtual Patient Participation Groups (PPGs) on Facebook—one for each sur-

gery in the group: Holsworthy, Stratton and Hatherleigh.

We are now re-launching it, to try to encourage even more patients to join and get involved with their respective surgeries.

Members will be asked questions about our services from time to time using social media, providing a chance to give hon-

est and helpful feedback on the services we provide and their future development. Every opinion matters.

To join Holsworthy’s Group you can follow this link: https://www.facebook.com/

groups/2330842083618387/

To join Stratton’s Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/341115916834733/

To join Hatherleigh’s Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/453464088836568/

This is a really exciting opportunity: to play an important role in the patient participation group, and effecting change as

part of our PPG virtual community.