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Hamstreet Surgery Vaccine Clinic
Thank you to all who attended our combined flu and COVID-19 vaccination clinic on Saturday 16th September. We wanted to let you all know that we acknowledge that the queues were longer than usual, largely due to a last-minute decision to concurrently offer the COVID-19 vaccination with the scheduled flu vaccine. Unfortunately we only received notification about the COVID-19 vaccine delivery on Friday afternoon, which didn't allow us time to modify either the clinic appointment slots or our staffing levels. The GP partners made the decision to spare patients the additional hassle of making another booking for the COVID-19 vaccination. With more notice, we would have made appropriate adjustments to both appointments and staffing and we will learn for next year if a combined vaccine clinic is recommended.
All of our staff worked tirelessly that day, many for over 12hours, we are very grateful for their commitment, care and support.
Thank you for bearing with us.
Dr Jack Jacobs, Dr David Bridge, Dr Anup Patel, Dr Claire Jacobs, & Dr Helen Daniels
Welcome to Hamstreet Surgery
We are a progressive and forward thinking practice in purpose built modern premises. We aim to provide an efficient service in a friendly, caring manner. Our rural dispensing practice covers an area of 150 square miles.
Address: Ruckinge Road, Hamstreet, Ashford, Kent TN26 2NJ
Telephone: 01233 730190
Email: KMICB.hamstreetsurgery@nhs.net
The pratice has been accredited as being suitable for the training of doctors intending to become general practitioners.
Primary Care Network
Hamstreet Surgery a part of the Ashford Rural Primary Care Network along with Woodchurch Surgery, Ivy Court Surgery and Charing Surgery.
HRT Supply Update
The UK Government has issued a serious shortage protocol for Utrogestan 100mg capsules. There are expected to be supply problems until late 2023 . If you have been prescribed a progesterone part of your HRT regimen, it is essential that this medication is continued to keep the lining of the uterus healthy and reduce risk of endometrial cancer. A statement from the BMS, FSRH and RCOG recommends utilising the BMS guidance on alternative preparations of HRT. Our practice team will follow these guidelines to provide you with at alternative preparation. There are also intermittently shortages of other HRT products and we will continue to find you a suitable alternative .
Get the right help when you need it
NHS services are very busy. It's important to come forward with any health concerns, but you can help ease the pressure by choosing the right service.
Knowing the right place to go can help you get the treatment you need faster. Please choose wisely and help us help you.
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Accessing GP Services
In the last few weeks there have been several directives released by the NHS, some are guidance, and some are mandated. Here we explain what the recently mandated changes to the GP contract means for patients accessing their General Practice. These recent changes were not agreed by the profession and have not been accompanied by additional funding to support increased capacity.
When a patient contacts a practice, what should they now expect?
A patient can expect a response based on an assessment of their need and the finite capacity within General Practice. The contract now states that following a patient contact (in-person, phone or on-line) the General Practice must take steps to provide an ‘appropriate response’ the same day or the next day if contact is after 6.30pm.
An ‘appropriate response’ includes one of the below options:-
- Invite the patient for an appointment (in-person / phone) at a time which is appropriate and reasonable having regard to all circumstances.
- Provide appropriate advice to the patient – this could include emailing / texting advice or signpost to on-line resources.
- Invite the patient to make use of appropriate services - this could include where suitable directing patients to community pharmacies, urgent treatment centres or A&E departments.
- Communicating with the patient:-
- asking for further information to make an adequate assessment
- if suitable the practice can let the patient know they will receive further information about their options at a future date
Following patient contact can my General Practice ask me to seek help from another service?
The latest changes make it clearer that an appropriate response to a patient query can include signposting patients to other sources of help that may include attending a pharmacy for advice, refer to self-care advice on a website or even suggest attendance at an urgent treatment centre, A&E or referral to the Community Pharmacy Consultation Service
Does my GP or other member of the GP team have to see me within 2 weeks?
There is no mandated requirement for General Practices to offer appointments within 14 days. There is an aspiration payment that practices working in groups called Primary Care Networks (PCNs) can work towards an offer of appointments in 2 weeks. The new contract can allow for much longer waiting times for routine appointments as long as the patient is made aware of the likely waiting time.