News - Practice Updates
Non- Emergency Patient Transport Service (NEPTS) - Update
The Non-Emergency Patient Transport Service (NEPTS), provided by South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SCAS), delivers transport for eligible patients who have a medical reason that means they are not able to travel for treatment by another method.
Health Care Professionals will no longer have access to book routine outpatient appointments for patients. You, your relatives, and carers can access Transport Zone to manage the booking process from end to end.
If it is your first use of NEPTS, you will need to book via the telephone and create your record and thereafter the online system will be available. They will require the following information to set up an account on the SCAS patient hub.
• NHS Number
• DOB
Patients can book via the online platform up to 20 days in advance but no later than 2 working days before the appointment. This platform enables the patient to
- Place a booking on the system.
- Amend a booking.
- Cancel a Transport booking.
- Obtain an Estimated Time of Arrival
Telephone Numbers: For Patients that do not have access to book via the online platform you may use the following numbers
Hampshire Patient Led Line – 0300 123 9833
Target Training Meetings 1-5pm
TARGET is a scheme that brings our city’s Primary Care workforce together to learn new skills, hear about new treatments and share good practice. It means that surgery will need to close to facilitate this training but we will ensure that medical care will be available when you need it. The surgery will therefore be closed on the following afternoons but the Out of Hours service (which can be accessed bye calling 111) will cover:
Thursday 8th February 2024
Thursday 7th March 2024
Please rest assured that we will provide more information on our website, recorded messages on telephone and our public noticeboard to keep you infomred about these dates. On TARGET days lease contact us and listening to pre-recorded messages for advice.
Blood Test Service: Blood Test Arrangements for Adults over 16 years age
Southampton General Hospital is offering blood tests to people aged over 16 years on site - for further information please read below
All appointments must be booked in advance. You can book or amend an appointment online at: https://patientbooking.uhs.nhs.uk, or call: 023 8120 4877.
Children’s blood tests have not changed. These are available at Southampton General Hospital, Butterfly Room, and can be booked via 023 8120 2024
Please be patient. Please be kind
Why are GP Practices still working differently?
Things are getting back to normal - why isn't my GP?
The pandemic is not over yet and the modelling suggests that COVID is continuing to spread. We are trying our best to maintain a balance of protecting our patients particularly those who are vulnerable from unnecessary exposure to risks, we are able to do so by minising physical visits to the practice, maintaing social distance and observe strict measures of infection control.
How are practices working now?
All patients are being offered telephone consultations - this means that you are able to receive care when needed and we are able to offer face to face consultations to those who need physical examination or make sure face-to-face appointments are reserved for those who really need them. We are able to offer video consultations where appropriate. Our system has helped us to ensure that everyone get the type of appointment they need and you don't have to travel to the surgery if it is not necessary. Our experience suggests that in many cases we are able to effectively offer treatment after telephone consultation. We are also able to offer an appointment for face to face consultation that esures we can see you within recommended guidance for infection prevention and control.
What is Triage?
The doctor will assess all the information from every phone query and eConsult and decide who needs to be seen in person, who needs a phone consultation, who needs to be seen via video and who can be directed to a community pharmacist etc.
What is eConsult?
eConsult is an online way of contacting your doctor to get help and support. There is lots of information that you can use to help yourself too.
Find out more by watching this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fGEpzrgAJc
Why do reception staff ask personal questions?
GP reception staff are vital members of the practice team and treat all information as confidential. They ask questions to ensure that patients are directed to the best support, within and outwith the practice. They are trained to ensure patients are able to seek advice from their GP or nurse in a timely way and by asking the reasons for your contact they are able to prioritise your request and inform relevant team member to attend to it in good time.
Where else can I get help?
Community Pharmacists (chemists) can help with many common ailments and illnesses and can prescribe some medicines too.
You can also contact Minor Eye Conditions Service to seek advice about eye symptoms for further information please follow link as follows - https://www.cheviotroadsurgery.nhs.uk/minor-injury--illness
Learn more about using appropriate services in the time of need by following link below
What about emergencies?
If it is a genuine medical emergency then you should call 999 and ask for an ambulance.
If you need emergency care but are not in imminent danger then you should call 111
Please be patient
Primary Care Teams have been on the frontline and have been working incredibly hard throughout the pandemic. We really are doing our best to help you.
Just like you we want to get back to as close to normal as possible as soon as possible, but we are not there yet.