Welcome to The Spires Health Centre Online
Please do not come to the Spires Health Centre unless asked to do so. If you have been asked to attend please wear a face covering and attend alone if possible. Please order your prescription through your chemist. Thank you for your patience during these unprecedented times.
CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC UPDATE, AND WHAT IT MEANS TO PATIENT SERVICES.
GP Practices have to change the way that we are seeing patients during the peak phase of the Pandemic. We ask for your understanding and tolerance of the changes.
From Monday 16th March 2020, we are switching to a system of calling every patient who rings in for an appointment. Online appointments will not be available during this time. We cannot risk patients walking in and exposing the most vulnerable patients and staff to possible infection. The system is called triage and means everyone inside the waiting rooms have been checked over by phone by one of our staff before they have arrived.
We are not closing, you will get your medications, but things need to be a little different. We need to work together to keep ourselves as protected as possible.
Many thanks for your understanding and co-operation.
Dr Ajay Ramachandran and Dr Divya Chikkaveeraia
SELF CARE
For further information please see Self Care Page detailed below.
What is Self Care?
Self care is the practice of people taking action to preserve or improve their own health
Why should I self Care?
There are lots of benefits of self care, these include
It is quicker - there is no need to wait for an appointment here at your GP, you can get advice on minor illnesses online or from your local pharmacy
It is easier - you can ask the pharmacy for the best treatment for you, which can then be bought at your local pharmacy or supermarket yto use at home.
It is simple - you can get advice on self care from a variety of sources, wither from websites (some useful links are below) or from your pharmacy.
It is considerate - using self-care relieves pressure faced by NHS Services eg GP Practices and A & E. Treating minor illnesses allows our GP's to see patients with more serious medical needs.
There is a lot on information to support self-care and help you manage minor illnesses. Below is a list of top suggestions;
SWB CCG page on self care https://sandwellandwestbhamccg.nhs.uk/self-care
CCG Flo Cold and Flu video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXVbXWDTQJA&feature=emb_logo
Self Care Quiz http://www.quizbean.com/#/self-care-11/5dcecedaf1c1a
NHS Symptom Checker https://usetherightservice.com/self-care/nhs-symptom-checker/
Self care – wider context
NHS One You (more holistic, but use friendly) https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/
Self Care Forum – lots of resources – Patient leaflets can be quite lengthy
Sandwell Public Health https://www.healthysandwell.co.uk/our-services/
In addition did you know your pharmacy can give you advice on these conditions?
Colds, Constipation, Cold sores, Conjunctivitis, Cough, Dental Pain, Diarrhoea, Dry Eyes, Dry skin, Earache, Fever, Haemorrhoids, Hayfever, Headaches, Head Lice, Heartburn, Indigestion, Insect Bites, Migraines, Nappy rash, Rashes, Threadworm, Thrush, Temperature
Pharmacists are trained professionals and are often the best people to see in these instances, most pharmacies will have a private consultation room where they can offer you confidential advice.
For further information please see Self Care Page detailed below.
Advice for Patients & Public
Stay At Home advice can be found here Everyone is being reminded to follow Public Health England advice to: - Always carry tissues with you and use them to catch your cough or sneeze. Then bin the tissue, and wash your hands, or use a sanitiser gel.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after using public transport. Use a sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are unwell.
More information can be found on the NHS website here. The latest guidance to assist professionals in advising the general public can be found on the Gov.uk website here: Gov.uk/coronavirus
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List of non-NHS charges
For an up to date list of charges for Non NHS Services please contact the surgery.
CQC UPDATE
https://www.cqc.org.uk/location/1-2698105875
In August 2019 we had our CQC Annual Review . The outcome of the review indicates that there are no significant changes to the quality of service being provided since the last inspection. This means that we are still rated GOOD in all areas.
Named GP
In accordance with the current government and our NHS contract all patients who are on the practice list prior to 1st April 2015 will be given a named accountable GP by 30th June 2015.
Newly registered patients will be allocated a named GP on registration.
AFTER 30th JUNE 2015 - You will have been allocated a named accountable GP who will be responsible for your overall care this will either be Dr Ajay Ramachandran or Dr Divya Chikkaveeraiah (you can book appointments with either GP).
If you have a preference as to which GP you are allocated, the practice will make reasonable efforts to accommodate your request. If you wish to know which GP has been allocated to you, please ask reception at your next visit.
Please do not telephone the practice for this information, our phone lines are very busy and primarily are for patients with urgent needs.
If you are 75 and over you will have already been allocated a GP and are entitled to an Over 75 health check.
Are you looking for something in particular and don't know where to look, take a look at http://route2wellbeing.info/. If you require any further information please ask at reception and we will try to help if we can.