Welcome to Northgate Medical Centre

1st Floor, Fountains Building, Delamere Street, Chester, CH1 4DS - Phone Number: 01244 385553

ACCESS TO FOUNTAINS HEALTH BUILDING

From MONDAY 30TH MARCH the doors will be CLOSED to the FOUNTAINS HEALTH BUILDING. This is to reduce the spread of COVID-19 through people coming in who don't absolutely have to. The Practice is still OPEN. If you have spoken to a clinician and have been booked in for an appointment, please use the buzzers by the front door to gain entry.

If you've been asked to bring in a sample, please use the buzzers by the front door to gain entry. Empty sample pots are available at the welcome desk on the ground floor. Please put full sample pots in the postbox by the front door wherever possible, ensure that the lid is tightly fastened, your details are written on it, and put it in a plastic bag.

If you need to submit a prescription request or hand in a letter please use the POSTBOX by the FRONT DOOR.

Lift access to the building will be affected. If you need to use the lift to get from the car park to the building, please use the George Street lift and cross the courtyard for step-free access to the building. We apologise for this access impairment.

We appreciate your patience and co-operation during this time.

CLICK HERE FOR CURRENT ADVICE: Coronavirus - Stay Home Advice

ON-LINE APPT BOOKING IS CURRENTLY NOT ACTIVE IN LIGHT OF CORONAVIRUS - PLEASE PHONE TO BOOK

NO EARLY MORNING APPTS 7-8AM UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.

Anyone who has either a new continuous cough (this means you cough repeatedly) OR a high temp 37.8 (you feel hot to touch on your chest or back) should stay at home for 7 days and isolate!

Visit: www.111.nhs.uk for advice 

STAY AT HOME: guidance for households with possible coronavirus (COVID-19) infection

 

For the latest Covid-19 advice visit www.nhs.uk. Please avoid coming into the practice unless necessary, use the post box outside for letters and med requests. If you think you may have Covid-19 use the NHS111 online service For the latest Covid-19 advice visit www.nhs.uk. Please avoid coming into the practice unless necessary, use the postbox outside for letters & med requests. If you think you may have Covid-19 use the NHS111 online to find out what to do next. https://111.nhs.uk to find out what to do next. If you do not need to be seen face to face, please consider changing this to a telephone appointment by calling 01244 385553 

Please ensure you have the right website - there is another practice nextdoor called Northgate Village.  There are a separate practice to us with different doctors.

YOU WILL FIND US ON THE 1ST FLOOR - BLUE RECEPTION AREA

Main Telephone: 01244 385553

We would like to offer a warm welcome to the Northgate Medical Centre surgery practice website.

 The doctors and nurses at the practice in Chester take pride in offering the highest standard of patient-centred healthcare.

There are 4 separately run GP practices in the Fountains Building, if you register with us you'll be seen at Northgate Medical Centre only.

We see patients by appointment only. We do not open at weekends.

When we are closed if you require urgent medical attention please call NHS111

Calls to the NHS111 service are free from both landlines and mobiles and is available 24 hours a day 7 days a week.

PLEASE ORDER YOUR MEDICATION IN PLENTY OF TIME, ALLOWING 48HRS FOR PROCESSING

Last updated  4.3.2020

Current information regarding the Corona Virus in Wuhan

Dear Patient

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.

You can find the latest information and advice from Public Health England at www.gov.uk/coronavirus

Coronavirus statement

General Information for patients on coronavirus:

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

For patients concerned that they may have coronavirus or may have come into contact with someone who has, the NHS 111 online service has created coronavirus pages that tell patients what they should do based on their particular circumstances.  These can be accessed at: https://111.nhs.uk/service/covid-19

 

 

COUNTESS BLOOD SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT

THE COUNTESS OF CHESTER HOSPITAL’S

BLOOD SERVICE IS CHANGING.

From 6th April the service will move to the 1829

Building on the hospital site and become

BY APPOINTMENT ONLY.

Walk-in appts will NO LONGER be available.

To book an appointment please visit:

https://www.coch.nhs.uk/blood-test-booking.aspx

Car parking is FREE for bookable appointments

(Max 15 minute stay)

Access to Medical Records

 

In accordance with the GDPR patients have the right to access their data and any supplementary information help by Northgate Medical Centre; this is commonly known as a data subject acccess request (DSAR).

The practice aim to process your request within 30 days, however, this isn't always possible.

Please find below full information regarding access to your records:

Accessing your medical records

Here is the form for access to your medical record:

Application form for access to health records

Early Morning Extended Hour Appointments

WerbeFabrik / Pixabay

At the practice are now pleased to offer a new service for our patients that are not able to visit the surgery during normal working hours.  This is available on TUESDAY & THURSDAYS  between 07:00 and 08:00.  These appointments are strictly by appointment only, other surgery services will not be available until 08:00.

If you have a gynae problem, require a smear, piil check or minor surgery/injection procedure please ring reception to book these.
**DO NOT BOOK THESE ON PATIENT ACCESS IN EXTENDED HOURS AS THEY MAY REQUIRE A LONGER APPOINTMENT**

If you would like to make an appointment or would like further information, please speak to one of our receptionists on 01244 385553.

Please note that this service is additional to the Extended Hours service run by the CCG.

Extended Hours

Need a weekend or evening appointment? Do you have trouble making a GP appointment during the day due to work commitments?

The GP Extended Hours service is designed to provide patients with appointments outside core general practice hours for routine care and is available:

Mon-Fri 6.30-9.30pm, Sat & Sun 9am-6pm and Bank Holidays 9am-2pm

You can make an appointment for a:

  • GP
  • Nurse
  • Blood test
  • Physiotherapy assessment

To book an appointment call: 0300 123 7743 or speak to your GP practice receptionist. The phone line is operational from 8am to 8pm, seven days a week.

GP Extended HoursClick Here for More Information

The current weekly phlebotomy sessions within Extended Hours are:

Chester, 1829 Building Ellesmere Port Hospital Laurel Bank Surgery, Malpas
Tues: 18:30 – 21:00
Wed: 18:30 – 21:00
Thurs: 18:30 – 21:00

Sun: 09:00 – 11:30

 Tues: 18:30 – 21:00
Wed: 18:30 – 21:00
Thurs: 18:30 – 21:00

Sun: 09:00 – 11:30

 Mon: 18:30 – 20:00

St Werburgh's Medical Centre

St Werbugh's Medical Practice for the Homeless managed by Northgate Medical Centre.

Address:

2a George St, Chester, CH1 3EQ

Tel: 01244 665834

Practice Hours: Mon-Fri 8.30am-5.00pm

The practice is not open at the weekends.

The practice closes for lunch between 1pm-2pm, Mon-Fri

GPs

Dr Martin Dennis, Dr Julie Reid

Pauline Finlay - Nurse Practitioner

Steve Marsh - Specialist Mental Health Practitioner

Practice Manager - Dawn Riley

Services provided:

  • arranged appointments
  • drop-in crisis intervention
  • daily outreach to day centre
  • general health care
  • dressings/leg ulcer care
  • smear testing
  • smoking cessation
  • immunisations
  • health promotion
  • disease management
  • contraception/sexual health

Out-of-Hours Service

In an emergency, outside of normal hours, please telephone the practice.

A recorded message will give you information on how to contact the Out-of-Hours Service. NHS Direct Tel: 111

 

 

 

CQC Rating

Publication of Earnings

All GP practices are required to declare the mean earnings for GPs working to deliver NHS services to patients at each practice.

The average pay for GPs working in Northgate Medical Centre in the last financial year was £63,218 before tax and National Insurance. This is for 1 full time GP and 6 part time GPs who worked in the practice for more than six months.

Silver Cloud - self referral

SilverCloud is our online self-referral option that will enable you to access a programme full of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) techniques for anxiety and depression. It allows people to complete therapy in their own time, at a time and pace that suits them, whilst having regular weekly or fortnightly online reviews with a qualified mental health practitioner.

http://www.cwp.nhs.uk/services-and-locations/services/western-cheshire-iapt/self-referral-and-how-to-get-help/

Sexual Health

Virgin Care Sexual Health Services have stopped all Walk in Clinics

They will see patients via an appointment if they ring the services, but they are still appt only and no drop-in sessions.

Although sexual health is in then same building as Northgate Medical Centre, we care completely separate organisations.  We are unable to connect any calls to this service from our telephone system. If you need help with any sexual health problems, please call 0300 247 0020 or visit

https://testvhub.virgincare.co.uk/services-near-you/cheshire-west-and-chester/

Social Prescriber

Social Prescribing Service

Hello everyone, my name is Joe and I am your new Social Prescribing Link Worker.

Many things affect patients’ health and well-being. A lot of patients visiting GP surgeries feel isolated or lonely. Or they might be stressed by work, money and housing problems. Sometimes it’s the stress of managing a long-term condition.

That’s where social prescribing comes in. Your Practice’s Social Prescribing Link Worker is there to listen to you and put you in touch with the people and activities that might help you to feel better.

Your Link Worker might introduce you to a community group, a new activity or local club. Or they might help you find legal advice or debt counselling. They can assist you with finding relevant information and guidance. Your Link Worker can even support you to create something new such as a gardening club, a fishing group, a “men’s in sheds” or knit and natter group.

What are the benefits of social prescribing?

  • Feel more positive and better generally.
  • Reduce/manage conditions such as type 1 or 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
  • Have more contacts in their community and feel less lonely or isolated.
  • Improve mental well-being.
  • Reduce medication.
  • Manage symptoms better.
  • Improve lifestyle.
  • Look after yourself better.
  • Improve your money, housing and work situation.
  • Improve relationships with family and friends.
  • Stay well for longer and/or reduce the impact of long-term conditions.

I look forward to meeting you, Joe

Closed for Staff Training Dates 2020

The surgery will be closed for staff training on the following dates between 12:00-17:00.

27th Feb, 25th March, 28th April, 20th May, 23rd June, 22nd July, 27th August, 22nd Sept, 29th Oct, 25th Nov & 17th December

If you require urgent medical advice during this time, you can ring the surgery number on 01244 385553 and you will be diverted to GP Out of Hours or ring NHS 111.

During a staff training day, all telephone calls will be forwarded to the NHS111 service for triage before being passed to the NHS Western Cheshire GP Out of Hours Service.

Extended Hours: 0300 123 7740 – Option 3

Are you looking after someone? Please read this...

Do we know you are a Carer? Or do you have a Carer?

Are you providing help and support to a relative, partner or friend who cannot manage because of disability, illness or frailty?

Let us know by completing a  Carer Registration form (available from your GP Surgery reception)

Hand the completed form to your GP Surgery who will make a note on your medical records of the person you care for, that you are a Carer and on your records that you are a Carer.

If you would like us to refer you to Cheshire West Carers Support, please also sign the consent on the form. They will send you information such as regular newsletter, how to register for Carer's Emergency Card. They will inform you of any events happening in your area, advice and support available, including access to respite, emotional and financial support.

Current Newsletter (click this link or copy in to your web browser):

https://cheshireandwarringtoncarers.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/draft-pub-jan2018_v1.pdf

For further details on their website click on this link:

http://cheshireandwarringtoncarers.org/

or contact the Helpline on 0300 102 0008

(Mon-Fri, 9am till 5pm)

Twitter page: @cheshirecarers1

The Carer's Link for Northgate Medical Centre is Julia and Lynne.

accuRx text service

We have introduced a new text messaging service that allows us to instant message you from within your medical record. This allows the doctors, nurses and admin staff to send important messages regarding results, medication, referrals, recalls, remind you to book an appt or just send advice.

If you do not wish to have this service please let us know and we can update your details to stop these being sent out to you.

GOOGLE SEARCHES AND REVIEWS

You may find if you type 'walkin clinic Chester' in to Google our practice comes up first in the google search results.

This is out of our control, we are not a walk-in clinic.

We have had people phoning us not happy about this but we aren't responsible for google searches.

If you click on our website it is clear we are GP Practice.

We are a GP Practice and seen patients by appointment only.

Some of the reviews we have found on Google reviews are not relating to our practice and are not even patients with us. Please bear this in mind when reading the reviews.

To find a centre: - https://www.nhs.uk/Service-Search/Walk-in%20centre/LocationSearch/663

Thank you.

Dental Infections

Please note that we do not prescribe antibiotics for dental infections. This is following advice from the British Medical Association.
If you suspect you have a dental infection you should attend your dentist for treatment.
If you are not registered with a dentist you should phone NHS 111 for advice on emergency dental clinics or attend A&E if you feel it is an emergency.

Need URGENT Dental Care?

Local dental providers offer NHS Urgent Dental Clinics across Cheshire and Merseyside, with urgent appointments for patients who need urgent treatment, advice and support on dental queries or referral to other services. If you need help with an urgent dental problem, call our Helpline, available from 9am to 9.30pmevery day, including weekends and Bank Holidays.

Please note: this is an appointment only service - we do not operate a ‘drop-in’ service at any of our surgeries.

Dental Telephone:
0161 476 9651(LOCAL RATE)

URGENT dental service in Cheshire and Merseyside: How it Works
Urgent dental care for patients in Cheshire and Merseyside is accessed via our Dental Helpline on 0161 476 9651 from 9am to 9.30pm every day, including weekends and Bank Holidays.
The service is provided according to strict clinical criteria, and when you call you’ll be assessed by a member of our clinical team to make sure your problem comes under either:
• Trauma - this is usually caused by a blow to the face, a lost filling is not classed as trauma
• Swelling of the face
• Bleeding - uncontrolled, such as after an extraction
• Pain that can’t be controlled by pain relief medicines
If you’re given an appointment and your problem doesn’t fit any of the above, you’ll still have to pay the NHS fee but may receive advice and not treatment.
Clinic times vary, and at busy times or when your local clinic’s not available you may be offered an appointment at an alternative location.

How much Sugar is in your food?

Download here: Sugar content

Patient Access


01/03/2020 - PATIENT ACCESS IS CURRENTLY NOT AVAILABLE THIS MONTH FOR BOOKING APPOINTMENTS - PLEASE PHONE RECEPTION TO BOOK

Patient Access is an on-line service that allows you to make Appointments with your doctor, order Repeat Medication and view a Summary of your Medical Records including:

Immunisations, Allergies, Repeat Medication, Lab results, Problems and Consultations.

You will also get a text reminder for your appointment.

If you have not registered for patient access, you can either register online using the button above or pop into the surgery with Photo ID so that we can issue you with your registration paperwork. Please note, if you register online you will only have limited access to the system, you will still need to bring in Photo ID so that we can lift the restrictions and give you full access.

Go To Patient AccessClick Here

Repeat Prescriptions

Repeat prescriptions cannot be taken over the telephone. You can order your repeat medication via:-

  • Calling into the surgery and either dropping off the printed repeat medication slip attached to your prescription or by completing a repeat medication form at reception.
  • Using the on-line Patient Access System.
  • Telephoning your normal pharmacy to order on your behalf.

Please remember that it takes us 48 business hours to process your prescription. Prescriptions handed in on a Friday will not be ready for collection until the following Tuesday.

Can't Make Your Appointment?

If for any reason, you are unable to keep your appointment, please let us know by calling 01244 385553.

By cancelling your appointment we may be able to offer it to somebody else.

Missed Appointments

Last month approx 100 appointments were missed by patients.

Please let reception know if you are unable to attend your appointment so that we can offer it to another patient.

If you are registered for Patient Access you can cancel your appointment on here.

eConsult

We now offer the ability to obtain advice from your doctor via the internet using our eConsult service. THIS IS NOT FOR URGENT ENQUIRIES, PLEASE RING US FOR THESE.

By answering a few questions, we can best direct your query to either an out of hours doctor, a pharmacy or one of our doctors at the surgery.

Click the button below to start your eConsultation.

eConsultClick Here to Start Your eConsult

Car Parking Charges

Please be aware of the new changes to the

Council Car Park Charges

 

 

Cervical Screening Awareness


 

#SmearTestsSaveLives

Cervical screening prevents 75% of cervical cancers from developing yet one in four women don’t attend. You can help us change this!

We want to increase awareness and make it easier for everyone to take up their smear test invitation.

 

Cervical Screening & HPV Update

Cervical screening and HPV (human papilomavirus) update

What is cervical screening?

Cervical screening (which used to be called the ‘smear test’) involves taking a small sample of cells from the surface of your cervix. The sample is sent to a laboratory and checked under a microscope to see if there are any abnormal cells. Abnormal cells are not cancer, but they could develop into cancer if they are left untreated. Depending on the result of your test, your sample may be tested for the types of human papillomavirus (HPV) that can cause cervical cancer.

As a next step you may be offered another test (called a colposcopy) to look at your cervix more closely. If the person carrying out the colposcopy finds abnormal cells, they will suggest that you have the cells removed, usually during another
colposcopy. This is how screening can prevent cervical cancer. Here is a link to the new Cervical screening leaflet:

Cervical_screening_helping_you_decide

Ovarian Cancer Awareness #OvarIt


#takeover #startmakinganoise 
MARCH IS OVARIAN CANCER AWARENESS MONTH
Find information about Ovarian Cancer visit:
http://www.targetovariancancer.org.uk

Awareness Campaigns

Mental Health Awareness

Mental health problems can affect anyone, any day of the year, and we’re always on hand to provide information and support for anyone that needs it. But this week is a great time to have a chat with a friend, family member or colleague and have think about your own wellbeing too.

Relaxation tips poster

Six simple relaxation tips to think about and help you and your friends, family or colleagues focus on your mental wellbeing. To find out more information on relaxtion, you can visit our information page.

Twitter - @mindcharity

Breast screening screening after 70

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/breast-cancer-screening/

If you're 71 or over, you'll stop receiving screening invitations.

You can still have screening once you're 71 or over if you want to, and can arrange an appointment by contacting your local screening unit.

Chester Breast Screening Unit

Contact Telephone Number: 01244 365136

Address: Countess Of Chester Hospital NHS Trust, Countess Of Chester Health Park, Liverpool Road, Chester, CH2 1UL

 

Breast Cancer Screening Helpline

If you would like to discuss any concerns regarding breast screening please ring: 0800 169 2692